I was a big Kazumi Wantanabe fan in college. I have Spice of Life and Spice of Life 2 on cd and still listen to it from time to time. He had Bill Buford and Jeff Berlin as his rhythm section. The second cd also had synths. Great stuff if you like fusion.

Michel Benita Ethics - River Silver.

The Toshiko Akiyoshi-Lew Tabackin Big Band released a live album called Road Time in the late 1970s. At least one of the songs on it features traditional Japanese instruments. It's possible some of the band's other albums did as well.