Japanese Music of the 2000s: Revival Included! A J-POP Hit Song Special
The 2000s marked a major turning point for Japan’s music scene.
While CD sales were strong, ringtones and digital distribution also began to spread.
Superstar icons like Ayumi Hamasaki, Hikaru Utada, and Masaharu Fukuyama commanded overwhelming presence, while a new generation of artists such as ORANGE RANGE and GReeeeN emerged one after another.
In recent years, classic Heisei-era hits have been rediscovered through social media, capturing the hearts of a new generation.
This time, we look back on the gem-like hit songs that colored the 2000s.
- All big hits! A roundup of classic J‑Pop songs that were popular in 2000
- 2000s Japanese Hits | Unforgettable Once You Hear Them! Exquisite Masterpieces
- Heisei-era masterpieces revisited through the hit songs of 2001
- [Heisei Retro] Hit Japanese songs that defined the 1990s. Recommended J-POP classics.
- Iconic ballads of 90s J-pop: nostalgic mega-hits and fan favorites
- Hit J-Pop songs from 2002. Recommended classics and popular tracks.
- [2013 Japanese Hit Songs] Masterpieces that Colored the Ama-chan Boom, Group Popularity, and the Band Scene
- Hit J-Pop songs of 2008: recommended masterpieces and popular tracks
- Girls’ rock: female vocal bands that were active in the 2000s
- [Heisei Songs] Classic hits from the Heisei era that are popular on Instagram Reels
- 2003 J-Pop hit songs special: the golden age of music when diversity blossomed
- Hit J-pop songs of 2005. Recommended masterpieces and popular tracks.
- Heisei-era masterpieces. Hit songs that represent the Heisei period.
Japanese Music of the 2000s: Revivals Too! J-POP Hit Song Special (61–70)
King of Summer / I Can’t Love Anyone But YouKinKi Kids
At that time, the act selling the most after SMAP at Johnny & Associates was KinKi Kids.
This song reached 19th on the singles chart and sold 870,000 copies, becoming one of their signature tracks.
It’s a quintessential KinKi Kids pop song, so it should be easy to sing at karaoke and the like.
NOT FOUNDMr.Children
It was chosen as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Bus Stop.” It’s a fan favorite, and vocalist Mr.
Sakurai himself reportedly said at the time of its release, “I’ve kept going just for this song.” Amazingly, there’s even a story that the chord progression was decided by drawing lots and the tempo by throwing darts.
It became a classic, as if it were meant to be.
whistlingMr.Children
The year 2000 was when many famous artists were very active and sold well, and with that in mind, Mr.
Children ended up with a slightly disappointing ranking and sales.
For an ordinary artist it would be a huge hit, but considering their ability, they placed 25th on the annual chart and sold 720,000 copies.
Sky of OblivionSADS
It’s a classic song that became a long-running hit as the theme for the TV drama Ikebukuro West Gate Park, starring Tomoya Nagase with a script by Kankuro Kudo.
Kiyoharu’s voice is especially striking.
SADS is a rock band formed by Kiyoharu, who had been active as the vocalist of Kuroyume.
Lion HeartSMAP
It’s the theme song for the drama “Food Fight” starring Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, and as a single by SMAP it became their second million-selling hit.
It’s a love song expressing a man’s feelings for a woman, and it has become a staple at weddings.