Ranking of Japanese pop singles by sales. What is the best-selling song in Japan?

Have you ever wondered which song has sold the most copies among the countless tracks released to date?

In this article, we’ve compiled a ranking of all-time single CD sales, excluding digital downloads.

From classic Showa-era masterpieces and hit songs from the Heisei era—the golden age of J-pop—to tracks by idol groups from the 2010s, a wide range of songs made the list.

It’s a ranking that feels like a retrospective of Japanese music history, so be sure to check it out.

If any song in the ranking catches your attention, take this opportunity to give it another listen!

Playlist

Ranking of Japanese pop singles by sales. What is the best-selling song in Japan?
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Swim! Taiyaki-kunShimon Masato		The children’s song about a taiyaki running away becomes a big hit
2	Woman’s PathMiya Shirō to Pinkara Torio		A love song from 1972 had a major impact on Japanese music.
3	The One and Only Flower in the WorldSMAP		A signature SMAP song, an anthem that boosts self-esteem
4	TSUNAMISazan Ōrusutāzu		Southern All Stars' representative tear-jerker songs
5	Dango Three BrothersHayami Kentarō, Shigemori Ayumi		A smash hit song themed around family bonds
6	Just by you being herekome kome CLUB		Kome Kome Club’s 1992 smash-hit love song
7	SAY YESCHAGE and ASKA		The massive hit of CHAGE and ASKA’s signature song
8	Tomorrow never knowsMr.Children		Mr.Children's Biggest Hit Song
9	Love stories happen suddenlyOda Kazumasa		A signature song by Kazumasa Oda, a masterpiece that portrays the feelings of love
10	LOVE LOVE LOVEDREAMS COME TRUE		A smash-hit J-pop love song
11	YAH YAH YAHCHAGE and ASKA		A classic song that sings of the courage to face adversity
12	Nameless PoemMr.Children		Masterpiece among Mr.Children’s signature songs
13	SakurazakaFukuyama Masaharu		The massive hit of Masaharu Fukuyama’s signature song “Sakurazaka”
14	CAN YOU CELEBRATE?Amuro Namie		A ballad by Namie Amuro that sings of eternal love
15	DEPARTURESglobe		A moving classic themed around parting and new beginnings
16	Black Cat TangoMinagawa Osamu		A children's hit song that expresses love for a black cat through tango
17	WOW WAR TONIGHT ~Sometimes You Gotta Make a MovementH Jungle with T		A 1995 smash hit that encourages busy people
18	Season of LovePinkī to Kirāzu		A smash hit song that captures the exhilaration of love
19	AutomaticUtada Hikaru		Hikaru Utada's debut single was a big hit.
20	TRUE LOVEFujii Fumiya		Fumiya Fujii’s classic hit that became a huge success as a TV drama theme song
21	Longing, poignancy, and strength of heartShinohara Ryōko		Ryoko Shinohara’s Love Song sells 2.02 million copies
22	As I love and as I please, you’re the only one I won’t hurt.B’z		Maki Ohguro participated in B’z’s smash hit song
23	Love will winKAN		KAN's masterpiece. A smash hit that sings of love and hope.
24	loadTHE toraburyū		A classic from the 1990s, an inspiring song that gives you courage
25	Strings of TearsTonosama Kingusu		A classic enka masterpiece depicting a woman's heartrending love
26	Sayonara CrawlAKB48		AKB48’s 2013 summer song, a pop tune with a sisterly theme
27	Innocent WorldMr.Children		Mr.Children's first Oricon number-one song
28	Beautiful SundayDaniel Boone		Daniel Boone's big hit song
29	Christmas EveYamashita Tatsuro		Tatsuro Yamashita’s Christmas song is a big hit
30	EverythingMISIA		MISIA's classic ballads that served as TV drama theme songs
31	HELLOFukuyama Masaharu		Masaharu Fukuyama's smash-hit romantic pop rock
32	LOVE PHANTOMB’z		A signature song by B’z, a hit with first-week sales of 950,000 copies
33	LA LA LA Love SongKubota Toshinobu/Naomi Campbell		Toshinobu Kubota's smash hit song
34	Hello, Again ~A Place That Has Been There Since Long Ago~My Little Lover		Popular love songs by My Little Lover
35	White LoveSPEED		A smash-hit song that portrays the feelings of winter romance
36	Surely more than anyone else in the worldNagayama Miho & WANDS		Miho Nakayama and WANDS' smash hit song
37	Midsummer Sounds Good!AKB48		A summer song by AKB48. Its refreshing melody makes the heart leap.
38	Teacher TeacherAKB48		AKB48’s song was a huge hit, selling 1.82 million copies.
39	Dream-Chasing SakeAtsumi Jirō		An enka masterpiece that sings of heartbreak and dreams
40	Seesaw Game ~A Brave Love Song~Mr.Children		A classic ballad that expresses the conflicts of love through rock
41	Glass BoyKinKi Kids		The huge hit of KinKi Kids’ debut single
42	Labrador RetrieverAKB48		Depicting love and youth in a bright, upbeat song
43	Addicted To YouUtada Hikaru		Utada Hikaru’s R&B-style love song
44	We won’t fightAKB48		Pop music of peace and nonviolence
45	TOMORROWMayo Okamoto		Mayo Okamoto’s classic that gives you courage with its hopeful message
46	BLOWIN’B’z		An energetic rock song that races in pursuit of freedom
47	God of RomanceHirose Kōmi		A classic winter song celebrating the joy of love
48	Erotica SevenSazan Ōrusutāzu		Southern’s sensual Latin pop and its mature depictions of romance are making waves
49	Barefoot GoddessB’z		A classic B'z song with energetic guitar
50	Miracle EarthKuwata Keisuke & Mr.Children		A collaboration song by Keisuke Kuwata and Mr.Children