Hit J-Pop songs of 2008: recommended masterpieces and popular tracks
Angela Aki, Arashi, Perfume, Shota Shimizu, Ikimono-gakari, GReeeeN…
From the many famous and popular songs that colored the J-POP hit charts of 2009 (Heisei 21), we’ve selected hit tracks recommended by our studio staff.
A playlist that still hasn’t faded with time—one that represents the Heisei era.
Playlist
| Japanese hit songs of 2008 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1east | Prisoner Of LoveUtada Hikaru |  play_arrow | It’s the theme song of a popular drama. It’s about a person with gender identity disorder... |
| 2east | One Lovearashi |  play_arrow | It’s an Arashi song that was used in a hugely popular drama—refreshing and... |
| 3east | Footsteps of TimeKobukuro |  play_arrow | It’s turned into a song that’s very Kobukuro-like. It’s really listena… |
| 4east | HANABIMr.Children |  play_arrow | This is a song that was used in a medical drama. Sounds like Mr. Children… |
| 5east | KissHugaiko |  play_arrow | It’s turned into a very cute song that’s so aiko-like… |
| 6east | Letter ~Dear Fifteen-Year-Old Me~Anjura Aki |  play_arrow | It’s a piece composed for a choral competition. A… |
| 7east | Bluebirdikimonogakari |  play_arrow | It's a refreshing song by Ikimono-gakari. The blue sky... |
| 8east | I AM YOUR SINGERSazan Ōrusutāzu |  play_arrow | The first synthesizer makes for a refreshing track... |
| 9east | sense of shameshuuchishin |  play_arrow | This is Shuchishin's debut single. Shuchishin and... |
| 10east | LAST CHRISTMASEXILE |  play_arrow | It's a Christmas song by EXILE. Chris... |
| 11east | Fragments of an EncounterKetsumeishi |  play_arrow | A lot of people use it in various moments, and it suits weddings… |
| 12east | MiracleGReeeeN |  play_arrow | It was used as the theme song for a popular drama by GReeeeN... |
| 13east | Make my dayAragaki Yui |  play_arrow | It’s a song by Yui Aragaki, who has a cute voice. Usually, as an actress… |
| 14east | Oh My Precious TimeSuperfly |  play_arrow | A beach pop number that depicts a first love in summer |
| 15east | umbrellaTOKIO |  play_arrow | A powerful cheer song by Sheena Ringo, a track that gives you a push |
| 16east | dearestKOH+ |  play_arrow | Masaharu Fukuyama and Kou Shibasaki, who co-starred in a popular drama, are... |
| 17east | SUMMER TIMENEWS |  play_arrow | A refreshing summer song by NEWS, NEW… |
| 18east | love the worldPerfume |  play_arrow | It’s a song that’s very Perfume-like. You could call it a love song… |
| 19east | We’ll always be together.Yamashita Tatsuro |  play_arrow | It’s a gentle, easy-to-listen-to, and moving song that resonates with people of all ages and genders. |
| 20east | Genkai Boat SongHikawa Kiyoshi | Kiyoshi Hikawa has a wider variety of musical styles than typical J-pop, but… | |
| 21east | HOMEShimizu Shota |  play_arrow | A signature song by the talented and popular artist Shota Shimizu... |
| 22east | Nihon no Mikata – I Came from Nevada –Yajima Biyōshitsu |  play_arrow | An artist who emerged from a hugely popular variety show... |
| 23east | DON’T U EVER STOPKAT-TUN |  play_arrow | A very cool, KAT-TUN-like song… |
| 24east | Spread your wingsZARD |  play_arrow | This is a song in which ZARD covered a DEEN track… |
| 25east | Storyyuzu |  play_arrow | It's a refreshing, yuzu-like song. I was trying to cheer myself up... |
| 26east | As I am in love…Akimoto Junko |  play_arrow | While J-pop dominates the top of the rankings, this… |
| 27east | Irresponsible HeroKanjani∞ |  play_arrow | Bright and a little goofy—just like Kanjani Eight. |
| 28east | sharing an umbrella (romantic)Tegomasu |  play_arrow | It’s a spin-off unit formed by members of NEWS... |
| 29east | rainbowAqua Timez |  play_arrow | An energizing song that’s so Aqua Timez. |
| 30east | I’ll be by your side.Aoyama Teruma ft. SoulJa |  play_arrow | This song really lets you appreciate how amazing Thelma Aoyama’s voice is… |
| 31east | homeKiyama Yusaku |  play_arrow | It’s Yusaku Kiyama’s debut song, and it’s about his family... |
| 32east | Midnight Shadow BoyHey! Say! JUMP |  play_arrow | With a hype song by Hey! Say! JUMP… |