An emotional friendship song. A roundup of classic tracks that sing about bonds with friends and shared memories.

sunflowerYūsuke

Yusuke “Himawari” (Sunflower)

It’s a support song that delivers straightforward gratitude wrapped in a warm rap.

Released in March 2009 as the debut single under the name Yusuke, this work comes from Yusuke Kamiji, who is also active as an actor and TV personality.

It was also chosen as the theme song for “Yusuke Kamiji Himawari Monogatari,” a drama based on Kamiji’s essays.

The lyrics, written in unpretentious language, overflow with thanks to those who have supported him and cheers for those about to take a new step forward.

Perfect for the season of graduations and new departures.

Friend ~ If you smilemiwa

miwa friend ~ If You Smile

A song where miwa portrays friendship in down-to-earth words: memories of laughing together, the bittersweet thought that you might drift apart someday, and still wanting to say “I like you” and “thank you.” It’s included on her first album, guitarissimo, released in April 2011, which debuted at No.

1 on the Oricon Weekly Albums Chart.

Though not a single, it’s remained a live staple.

The gentle, acoustic guitar–centered sound and her clear, airy voice quietly nestle close to the listener’s heart.

The charm of this piece lies in its delicate distance—something that can be read as friendship or romance.

Perhaps that’s why it feels right to hear during seasons when relationships waver—graduations, moves, changes in life.

If someone special comes to mind, try humming along together.

FlenjerOtsuka Ai

Ai Otsuka / Frienger

It’s a song you’ll want to listen to when you want to cheer up a friend who’s feeling down, or when you want to cut loose together and laugh it off.

It was released in April 2006 as the 11th single.

Since it was used as the CM song for Toshiba mobile phones and as the theme song for Nippon TV’s “Sports Urugusu,” many people probably heard it often at the time.

The title is a unique coined word that combines “friend” and “sentai hero.” It’s a track packed with Ai Otsuka’s signature wordplay and a passionate embrace of friendship.

proofflumpool

flumpool “Proof” Music Video (Full Chorus ver.)

A number by flumpool produced in 2011 as the set piece for the NHK All-Japan School Music Competition (Junior High School Division) and also broadcast on “Minna no Uta.” The bond with friends is something invisible to the eye, but the time spent together and the days of crying and laughing side by side surely remain in our hearts.

This work sings about that unseen yet undeniable certainty that we are companions.

It peaked at No.

4 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart and was also included on the album “experience.” Not only the fun times, but even the clashes—everything was necessary to deepen the bond.

It’s a song that gently gives a push to friends facing life’s milestones, such as graduation or moving on to the next stage.

CorrectRADWIMPS

RADWIMPS – The Answer [Official Music Video]

It’s RADWIMPS’s track that answers the wish to raise your voices together one last time with friends before graduation.

It drew attention for their collaboration with 1,000 eighteen-year-olds at NHK’s “18 Fes,” and is included on the album ANTI ANTI GENERATION.

In school, you’re expected to provide the right answers to given questions, but once you enter society, you have to carve out your own path.

This song gently pushes the backs of young people stepping into such an uncertain future.

The lyrics capture both the parting from irreplaceable friends and the resolve to embark on each person’s new life.

When you stand at a crossroads like higher education or getting a job, the faces of your dear friends are sure to come to mind.

It’s a friendship song recommended for those who want to reaffirm a bond that lets you believe your hearts remain connected even when you’re apart.

If you laugh at the skywacci

wacci “If You Laugh at the Sky” Music Video

This is a song that cheers on everyone who’s worked hard.

Wacci, known for delivering heartwarming tracks that fit into everyday life, released it in July 2018.

It was also included on their album Ultramarine Refrain, released in November of the same year.

In 2019, it was chosen as the support song for Fuji TV’s Mezamashi TV “Japan Connects Project,” gaining attention as it resonated with the struggles and triumphs of athletes.

There are days when things don’t go your way as you devote yourself to club activities or entrance exam prep.

In those moments, this song gently reminds you that the friends who have been striving alongside you can be your support.

It’s a friendship anthem that gives you the strength to keep looking forward, even while carrying frustration.

Give it a listen, and let it take you back to the time you spent with your cherished friends.

Gray and Blue (+Masaki Suda)Yonezu Kenshi

Kenshi Yonezu – Gray and Blue (+Masaki Suda)

This song, which feels like reminiscing about childhood friends, is a collaboration between singer-songwriter Kenshi Yonezu and Masaki Suda, who is active both as an actor and a musician.

It’s included on the album “BOOTLEG,” released in November 2017, and drew major attention, reaching No.

3 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100.

Yonezu sings the first verse, Suda sings the second, and in the latter half you can enjoy their back-and-forth.

Contrasting a gray-tinted everyday life with the innocent days that were once as blue as the sky, it portrays a friendship that remains connected at heart even when apart.

In the music video, the two passing by each other in the same park leaves a striking impression, resulting in a work that blends poignancy with warmth.

It’s a song that gently stays by your side when an old friend suddenly comes to mind.