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Ranking of Popular Japanese Music/J-POP Artists Among University Students [2026]

Even if we simply say “J-POP artists,” the number of artists covered is countless.

J-POP itself is diverse, after all.

The genre known as J-POP became established in the Heisei era.

It’s a relatively new field, but among its wide variety, which ones are popular with college students?

Most Popular Japanese Music/J-POP Artists Among University Students [2026] (91–100)

hundreds of millions of light-yearsOmoinotake96rank/position

Omoinotake | Hundreds of Millions of Light-Years [Official Music Video]
hundreds of millions of light-yearsOmoinotake

Omoinotake’s “Gikuokunen (Hundreds of Millions of Light Years)” is perfect for a sports day closing ceremony, and it’s especially recommended for emotional moments.

In particular, playing it at the special moment of the closing ceremony makes it a fitting song for a day spent competing, encouraging one another, and giving it your all.

It’s also a great choice for the results announcement or the final exit.

The song captures the expressions of children who did their very best and evokes hope for their growth in the future, so be sure to check it out!

THE BALLERSSixTONES97rank/position

SixTONES – THE BALLERS [YouTube ver.]
THE BALLERSSixTONES

A high-energy cheer song that brilliantly fuses the heat of youth with the dynamism of sports! A track included on the album “GOLD,” released in January 2025, has been chosen as the official theme song for the B.League basketball 2024–25 season.

As SixTONES’ first sports song, it strikingly portrays overcoming adversity and fighting with all your might as a team toward a shared goal.

The spirit of never giving up and the hunger for victory resonate alongside an exhilarating, upbeat sound.

Also recommended as BGM for school festivals and for dance performances!

Youth and a momentmakaroni enpitsu98rank/position

Macaroni Enpitsu “Youth and a Moment” MV
Youth and a momentmakaroni enpitsu

A heartwarming song that captures the casual brilliance and fleeting nature of youth.

With a driving melody and sentimental lyrics, it conveys the importance of everyday moments spent with friends and the joy of watching each other grow.

It tells us that the time shared with a bored-looking friend in the classroom after school will one day become a shining memory.

Released as a digital single in March 2019, it was later included on the album “season,” released in September of the same year.

It was also featured in a McDonald’s commercial and selected as the opening theme for TV Tokyo’s Drama 24 series “I Dreamed of That Girl.” As a work that vividly portrays the passion of teammates practicing together for sports festivals and the image of young people striving to cherish each moment, it is a song we hope many students will listen to.

Gate of GloryHirai Dai99rank/position

Dai Hirai / The Door of Glory (Music Video)
Gate of GloryHirai Dai

The song that will liven up the sports day, where students showcase the results of all their hard practice, is “Eiko no Tobira” (“Door to Glory”).

It was released in 2022 by singer-songwriter Dai Hirai and was also chosen as a cheer song for the summer high school baseball tournament.

His warm vocals, which gently accompany feelings of doubt and anxiety, resonate deeply.

The words that cheer on the days devoted to preparing for competitions and matches will surely encourage the athletes.

It’s a piece that portrays not only wins and losses, but the beauty of striving itself.

Alongside its grand, unfolding sound, lend an ear to the message that supports students on their big day.

Silent majorityKeyakizaka46100rank/position

Silent Majority by Keyakizaka46, released in 2016.

It was used in commercials and played on TV, so even if you don’t know it, many people have probably heard it.

The lyrics are geared toward students, and the song is cool—perfect for dancing, in my opinion.