[1998 Japanese Hit Songs] A roundup of timeless classics that still live on in people’s memories!
GLAY, T.M.Revolution, L’Arc~en~Ciel, MISIA, Morning Musume…
1998 was a year when a stream of timeless hits were born from artists who still enjoy enduring popularity today.
In this article, we introduce standout classics from the 1998 J-POP hit charts—songs that earned overwhelming support from listeners and fans, and continue to do so even now.
Enjoy this nostalgic playlist that still shines in vibrant color.
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[1998 J-Pop Hit Songs] A Roundup of Classic Tracks That Still Resonate Today! (21–30)
RomancePENICILLIN
The unexpected tie-in of it being the opening theme for the anime ‘Sexy Commando Gaiden: Sugoi yo!! Masaru-san’ was a hot topic at the time.
The music follows the classic visual kei style.
PENICILLIN is still active today, and each member continues to work energetically.
Sign of LovePUFFY
PUFFY’s sixth single, which reached No.
3 on the Oricon charts.
While most of PUFFY’s songs are composed and arranged by Tamio Okuda, this one is a rare contribution from Masamune Kusano of Spitz.
The intro with the drum toms makes you feel like something new is about to begin, and it’s exciting.
[1998 Japanese Hit Songs] A Roundup of Timeless Classics Still Remembered Today (31–40)
White LoveSPEED
Released in October 1997, it became an explosive hit through the winter and was used in Shiseido’s “Tissela Angel Drop” commercial, selling a total of 2 million copies—SPEED’s biggest hit.
The contrast of a group from Okinawa singing a winter song is striking.
Thanks to this single’s success, they also performed on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen, making it the winter classic that propelled SPEED to rapid stardom!
BAD LUCK ON LOVE 〜BLUES ON LIFE〜Tōko
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!”
Aim to be a Pokémon MasterMatsumoto Rika
A song that could be said to have further fueled the Pokémon boom at the time.
About a month and a half after its release, it broke into the top 20 on the Oricon weekly chart and went on to become a long-running hit for more than half a year, selling a total of 1.128 million copies according to Oricon.
You could even say it was rarer for kids back then not to know it.
AutomaticUtada Hikaru
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.
SOUL LOVEGLAY
Here’s another song by GLAY.
It was released at the same time as “Yuuwaku,” and this one also became a million-seller.
In the music video, everyone—members and support members alike—looks friendly and close, which is heartwarming to watch.
Its pop feel and easy listenability are also appealing.