Popular Japanese Music / J-POP Artist Rankings [2026]

bouquetback number1rank/position

back number – Bouquet (full)

This is a signature early masterpiece by back number that vividly captures the ache of unrequited love and has earned passionate support from Gen Z.

Released in June 2011 as their second single, it was selected as the ending theme for TBS’s “COUNT DOWN TV.” Also included on the album “Superstar,” the song, told through the casual conversations of a couple, conveys a down-to-earth desire to cherish the time spent together now rather than an uncertain future—something that resonates deeply with listeners.

Its warmth comes not from grand words but from savoring everyday happiness, making it a perfect fit for an unpretentious wedding profile video or as background music for relaxed conversations with guests.

Blue and SummerMrs. GREEN APPLE2rank/position

Mrs. GREEN APPLE – Blue and Summer

Released in August 2018, this song by Mrs.

GREEN APPLE was written as the theme for the film “Ao-Natsu: Kimi ni Koi Shita 30-Nichi” (Blue Summer: The 30 Days I Fell in Love with You).

Vocalist Motoki Omori’s soaring voice and lyrics that encourage you to feel like “we’re the main characters” make it a perfect fit for elementary school girls working hard at love or extracurriculars.

It’s also become a staple cheer song for high school baseball and is so powerful it’s even performed in the Koshien Alps stands.

Sing it with friends and you’re sure to feel energized.

It’s an incredibly emotional track that colors a sparkling page of youth.

Eine KleineYonezu Kenshi3rank/position

Kenshi Yonezu – Eine Kleine

A Heisei-era classic whose transparent acoustic guitar tone and sentimental melody strike straight to the heart.

It’s a signature early hit by Kenshi Yonezu, a singer-songwriter who leads the J-pop scene.

Included as the fourth track on the album YANKEE, released in April 2014, it also gained wide attention as a Tokyo Metro commercial song.

It delicately portrays complex emotions—a mix of the joy of meeting someone precious and the anxiety of a parting that may come someday—leaving your heart trembling with every listen.

Though it was never released as a single, it has remained beloved for years, with the music video garnering hundreds of millions of views.

It’s perfect for a solo acoustic performance as well; why not try singing it while laying bare your vulnerabilities yet striving to look ahead with earnest resolve?

PretenderOfisharu Higedan Dism4rank/position

Official HIGE DANDism – Pretender [Official Video]

An unbridgeable distance and the reality that you can’t make the other person happy yourself.

This song, a signature track by Official HIGE DANDism, vividly portrays that heartrending struggle.

Written as the theme song for the 2019 film “The Confidence Man JP,” it pairs a pop melody with lyrics that cut deep into the heart.

Satoshi Fujwara’s emotional vocals painfully convey a sense of powerlessness against fate, along with a pure love that persists nonetheless.

Swallowing the words “I love you,” he simply engraves the other’s beauty in his heart and walks away…

That mature exit brings tears to your eyes.

If your chest aches from an unrequited love, immerse yourself in this world.

365 daysMr.Children5rank/position

Mr.Children “365 Days” Mr.Children TOUR POPSAURUS 2012

If you need the courage to tell someone special that you love them, try listening to this classic ballad that resonates deep in the heart.

It’s a work by Mr.Children, the rock band behind many timeless hits, and it’s included on their 2010 album SENSE.

It was featured for a long time in commercials for NTT East/West and NTT Docomo, so many of you will likely recognize it.

The song delicately portrays how feelings for someone accumulate in the flow of everyday life, and how the world seems to shine simply because that person exists.

It’s a gem of a love song that I recommend to anyone in love, as a catalyst for finally putting long-held feelings into words.

Ghost RuleDECO*276rank/position

DECO*27 – Ghost Rule feat. Hatsune Miku

A track that truly showcases DECO*27 at their best, fusing fierce scratching with a high-velocity rock sound! The lyrics, depicting the inner turmoil of piling on lies until you can no longer tell who you really are, pierce straight into the listener’s heart.

Released in January 2016 and included on the album “GHOST” later that year, its popularity has never waned.

It’s a classic every Vocaloid fan knows, so give it a listen when you want to fire up a karaoke session or let your emotions explode.

me me sheRADWIMPS7rank/position

RADWIMPS – me me she [Official Music Video]

Let me introduce a classic ballad that sings of a man’s aching heart, still thinking of his former lover even after the breakup.

Created by RADWIMPS, one of Japan’s leading popular bands, this track is included on their landmark album “RADWIMPS 4: Okazu no Gohan,” released in December 2006.

Despite never being released as a single, it has long enjoyed overwhelming support among fans.

The lyrics vividly depict the lingering attachment to a love that has ended, as well as the ego that, while wishing for the other’s happiness, can’t help but prioritize oneself.

The world of Yojiro Noda’s honest and complex emotional landscape—so distinctly his—will pierce the hearts of adults who usually put on a brave face.

On nights when you carry a weakness you can tell no one about, why not listen to this song alone in silence and let yourself cry your heart out?