This thread has gone on too long without mentioning my very favourite Japanoise king, Keiji Haino! For shame!
It's difficult to mention a specific release by him, because he's possibly the most eclectic musician ever. Plays like 40 fucking instruments. That said, my constantly hyped favourite is Affection:
Although only turns into noise rock by any stretch of the term at about 20 minutes in, having been quite and haunting up until then. Keeps switiching between the two extremes. But he's got some of the best "proper" noise stuff out there too. The Merzbow collaboration is actually pretty great...