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Lovely Christmas

[80s Japanese Music] Popular Christmas songs: from hit tracks to hidden gems!

As the Christmas season approaches, even those who aren’t particularly into the holiday find themselves unconsciously humming timeless Christmas songs.

Japan’s 1980s music scene—an era that produced countless hits and classics in the nation’s musical history—gave rise to many Christmas songs that are still sung today.

In this article, we’re spotlighting those iconic Christmas tunes born in the ’80s, presenting a diverse lineup that ranges from chart-toppers everyone has heard at least once to hidden gems.

It’s also recommended for anyone who wants to learn more about 1980s kayōkyoku, which in recent years has been drawing keen attention from younger music fans.

[80s J-Pop] Popular Christmas Songs: From Major Hits to Hidden Gems! (101–110)

I wish it could be christmas every day in the U KSuzuki Saeko

Saeko Suzuki "I wish it could be Christmas every day in the U.K."
I wish it could be christmas every day in the U KSuzuki Saeko

Saeko Suzuki has the unusual background of starting her music career as a drummer and later debuting as a singer.

She’s also known for her work composing music for commercials and anime, and in the ’80s she sang a song with a title that means “If Every Day Were Christmas.” Despite its pop melody, it carries a subtly religious atmosphere—an intriguing and mysterious Christmas song.

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A Lonely Christmashaifaisetto

Hi-Fi Set, active from the 1970s through the ’90s and known for numerous hits, was formed by former members of the popular folk group Akai Tori.

Their Christmas song “Hitoribocchi no Christmas” (Lonely Christmas) appears on their sixth album, Coming Up.

Although it was released in 1978, it enjoyed strong popularity in the 1980s alongside the group’s rising fame.

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In conclusion

Many of the classic J-pop Christmas songs that continue to be loved in the 2020s were actually born back in the 1980s.

At the same time, the more you dig, the more you’ll find hidden gems—lesser-known Christmas masterpieces—another profound charm of the ’80s Japanese music scene.

Let this article be your cue to explore and listen to a variety of tracks.