Ranking of Popular Songs by Japanese Male Singers from the 1990s [2026]
The 1990s saw notable advancements in digital sound and the emergence of many music groups, making group-based music activities more common.
At the same time, numerous solo releases by singers also became major hits.
Here, we introduce a ranking of popular singers from the 1990s—especially male singers—through which you can also feel the progress of music technology.
- 1990s Male Singer-Songwriters: Popular Song Rankings [2026]
- Iconic ballads of 90s J-pop: nostalgic mega-hits and fan favorites
- [J-Pop] Debut songs by male solo artists from the 1990s
- Classic and hit songs by nostalgic Japanese bands from the 1990s
- Karaoke songs that were hits in the ’90s. Classic and popular tracks from Japanese music.
- Recommended Japanese Music Artists and Popular Song Rankings for Men in Their 50s [2026]
- [J-Rock] Timeless masterpieces that colored the 1990s. Nostalgic hit songs.
- Classic and hit J-pop songs from the nostalgic ’90s
- Band rankings popular among people in their 50s [2026]
- Showa Era Popular Artist Rankings [2026]
- A roundup of hit love songs from the ’90s
- A roundup of songs for men in their 30s to sing [’90s–’00s tracks]
- Ranking of Popular Japanese Music and J-POP Artists Among People in Their 40s [2026]
Top Japanese Male Singers and Popular Songs of the 1990s [2026] (81–90)
Do whatever the hell you want.sawada kenji86rank/position
Speaking of Kenji Sawada’s smash hits with a memorable piano intro phrase, “Katte ni Shiyagare” comes to mind.
Released in 1977 as his 19th single, it topped the Oricon singles chart and is a classic that won top honors at numerous awards, including the Japan Record Awards and the Japan Kayō Awards.
The title is taken from the 1959 film “Breathless” (original Japanese title: “Katte ni Shiyagare”), and the lyrics also pay homage to the movie.
It’s a song that perfectly embodies Sawada’s style—dapper yet shy, always with a slightly aloof stance.
As time goes bysawada kenji87rank/position
Kenji Sawada, an idol who represents the Showa era.
He’s an artist for whom the word “charisma” fits perfectly.
Among his many famous songs, the one I especially recommend is “As Time Goes By.” It’s a track that exudes Showa-era allure and conveys a passionate, romantic feel, yet it has a narrow vocal range and the pitch is easy to catch, so even women in their 50s who struggle with pitch should find it easy to sing.
Since the original key may be hard to project in, make sure to figure out your own key before you sing.
Love is…Kawamura Ryuuichi88rank/position
Ryuichi Kawamura, who is also active as the vocalist of the visual-kei rock band LUNA SEA.
He is also known as an actor and novelist, and the song he released in 1997 is “Love is…”.
It became a major hit under his solo name and led to his appearance on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
The song sings of grand love for a cherished person, with a beautiful, hymn-like melody line.
It’s a love song featuring his sexy voice that conveys both gentleness and strength.
Why not let yourself be soothed by its slowly resonant, heartwarming sound?
City DolphinHamada Kingo89rank/position
An artist known for his sweet vocals, Kingo Hamada.
He was active in the 80s, but has come back into the spotlight thanks to the recent city pop boom.
Among his works, a song I especially recommend is “Machi no Dolphin” (“Dolphin in the City”).
It’s a track marked by a bouncy bass and a smooth melodic line.
If you want to make it sound cool, don’t push the key too high—sing it lightly and effortlessly.
Give it a try.
HELLOFukuyama Masaharu90rank/position
With its refreshing acoustic-guitar chord strums that make your heart dance, this is Masaharu Fukuyama’s smash hit released in 1995.
It sold a total of about 1.87 million copies and is widely known as one of Fukuyama’s signature songs, second only to the iconic ballad “Sakurazaka.” Its unrelentingly straightforward sense of speed, the sax solo in the middle, and Fukuyama’s sweet vocals will make you want to dash out under a clear blue sky.
As it was the theme song for the drama “The Best Unrequited Love,” the track centers on the theme of pure, one-sided love.
If a beautiful young man like Fukuyama were to sing a song like this to you, that unrequited love might just turn mutual in no time…
