[1998 Japanese Hit Songs] A roundup of timeless classics that still live on in people’s memories!

AutomaticUtada Hikaru

Hikaru Utada – Automatic

Hikaru Utada’s debut single, released in December 1998, brought a genuine R&B breeze into the world of J-pop.

Depicting feelings so strong that your body moves unconsciously when a call comes from a lover, the song blends a mature groove with the purity of teenage years to perfection.

Remarkably, this debut achieved double million sales.

Those who experienced that impact in real time likely remember it vividly.

Even now, its stylish sound hasn’t faded at all—an enduring classic that’s perfect for moments when you want to bask in memories.

SHINELUNA SEA

LUNA SEA – 「SHINE」MV

LUNA SEA is known for their solid musicianship and broad musicality.

Their 10th single, released in June 1998, is an alternative rock track with a refreshingly exhilarating feel.

Its forward-looking message—searching for a light of hope even in the darkness and sprinting toward the future—is powerfully conveyed through expansive, soaring vocals.

The song was featured in a Toyota commercial and became a hit, reaching No.

1 on the Oricon weekly chart.

Its catchy, mood-lifting melody is perfect for a drive or for kicking off a brand-new day in the morning.

Just one wishKomatsu Miho

Detective Conan ED - Only One Wish - Miho Komatsu - Detective Conan Ending

Miho Komatsu’s third single, which peaked at No.

8 weekly and No.

81 for the year.

Following her debut single “Nazo,” it was also tied in with the anime Detective Conan as an ending theme.

With total sales of 300,000 copies, it became her second best-selling single.

The teasing key change right before the last chorus elevates the finale.

alone in my roomSuzuki Ami

alone in my room (new ver.)

A dance number where Tetsuya Komuro’s urban production and Ami Suzuki’s crystalline vocals blend exquisitely.

Released in September 1998 as her second single, the song also became widely known as the opening theme for the audition show ASAYAN, where she was discovered.

There’s also the famous anecdote that Komuro rebuilt the track in just one day inspired by the image of the cover photo.

It’s a song that gently stays close to a delicate heart, turning loneliness into a forward-looking strength.

DestinyMy Little Lover

My Little Lover / DESTINY acoakko debut Ver.

That transparency—My Little Lover hasn’t changed at all since back then.

Even just the arrangements don’t sound dated in the slightest.

The faint, almost vanishing vocals, the literary and feminine lyrics (though they’re written by Kobayashi), the strings and brass arrangements, and the flowing melodies still wash away the grime from my heart.

BAD LUCK ON LOVE 〜BLUES ON LIFE〜Tōko

BAD LUCK ON LOVE ～BLUES ON LIFE～

They’re positioned as part of the Komuro Family, but since it was co-produced with Daisuke Hinata and the composition/arrangement was done by Hinata, the musical style is a bit different.

You can still sense Komuro’s touch in aspects like the arrangement and timbres.

The high-tone vocals are striking, and if you can sing it, it’ll probably make everyone go “oh!”

wanna Be A Dreammakerglobe

globe / wanna Be A Dreammaker

The 13th single by globe, which debuted at No.

1 and ranked 47th for the year.

It was the first release in a four-single consecutive series labeled “BRAND NEW globe 4 SINGLES,” and the limited first edition was sold in a special package designed to hold all four singles.

Additionally, the theme of the music videos for all four songs in this project is “nightmare,” and this particular song is said to be based on a nightmare experienced by vocalist KEIKO.