2000s Japanese Hits | Unforgettable Once You Hear Them! Exquisite Masterpieces
What kind of music were you listening to back then? The 2000s can be called a turning point for J-POP.
Theme songs from TV shows and dramas, the background music of school life, the songs we sang at karaoke—many people only need to hear them and a page of youth, etched together with the music, comes vividly back.
In this article, we present hit songs that defined the 2000s.
Shall we look back once more at the music of that special era, where nostalgia and novelty intertwined?
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2000s Japanese Music Hits | Unforgettable Once You Hear Them! A Collection of Timeless Masterpieces (141–150)
Song of LoveKōda Kumi
This is Kumi Koda’s 37th single, released in 2007.
Among her many hit songs, this might be the one that women still sing the most at karaoke.
It’s a sparkling, beautiful ballad.
Can You Keep A Secret?Utada Hikaru
This song by Hikaru Utada explores the difficulty of keeping secrets and probing the trust you place in another person.
Its catchy melody and powerful vocals vividly convey complex emotions.
Included on the March 2001 album “Distance,” it also drew attention as the theme song for the drama “HERO.” A massive hit that sold over three million copies in its first week, this track showcases the breadth of Utada’s musical expression.
It’s recommended for anyone struggling between their ideal self and their true self.
When you feel ready to face the feelings deep inside your heart, give it a listen.
SAKURA DropsUtada Hikaru
This is Hikaru Utada’s 11th single, released in 2002.
It ranked 6th on Oricon’s annual sales chart for 2002.
The music video, distinctly Japanese yet original, is beautiful to watch.
The title “SAKURA Drops” is said to refer to fallen cherry blossoms, but it’s also a play on Sakuma Drops (a popular candy).
After the song’s release, sales of Sakuma Drops reportedly increased for a while.
I can’t stop my love for youAiuChi Rina
It’s one of her signature songs, which was also popular for a time as an arcade game track.
In conversation, she’s known for her sugary, lolita-style voice, but once she starts singing, her powerful vocals make you think she’s a different person.
That contrast makes her a particularly memorable vocalist.
HOMEShimizu Shota
Released in 2008, this song is Shota Shimizu’s debut single and one of his signature tracks.
Arriving with this ballad that expresses love for family, Shota Shimizu burst onto the scene as a major new talent who surprised Japan’s R&B world.
It ranked 50th on Oricon’s year-end chart for 2008.