Recommended Japanese Female Artists and Popular Song Rankings for Women [2026]

Letter ~To You, Fifteen~Anjura Aki64rank/position

Angela Aki “Letter: To You, Fifteen” Music Video (HD)

A moving ballad with a striking structure in which one’s past and future selves converse through letters.

Singer-songwriter Angela Aki released it as her eighth single in September 2008.

Originally written as the set piece for the junior high division of the 75th NHK National School Music Contest, it was later chosen as the theme song for the film “Have a Song on Your Lips.” It’s also included on the album “ANSWER” and was broadcast on NHK’s “Minna no Uta,” making it beloved across generations.

The words, woven together with the piano’s melody, gently give listeners a push forward.

It’s a song you’ll want to hear when you feel anxious starting a new life in spring or when you want to take a fresh look at yourself.

If you pour your feelings into it at karaoke, you’ll surely feel energized for tomorrow.

Star Lablationkerakera65rank/position

Kerakera – Star Liberation

An upbeat love song that sings of wavering feelings and firm resolve.

Released in May 2013, it drew attention as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Last Cinderella” starring Ryoko Shinohara.

It’s a motivational song that sets the feelings of a woman who, though awkward, tries to pursue love straightforwardly to a bright and catchy melody.

The careful portrayal of her journey from putting on a brave face to becoming honest with herself gently gives listeners a push forward.

Isn’t it the perfect track for livening up a karaoke session or encouraging a friend struggling with love?

Red Sweet PeaMatsuda Seiko66rank/position

Seiko Matsuda “Red Sweet Pea” (from Seikoland: Budokan Live ’83)

This masterpiece, which poignantly and beautifully portrays the spring season when cherry blossoms bloom, was released in January 1982 as a single by Seiko Matsuda.

With Takashi Matsumoto’s delicate word choices and an unforgettable melody penned by Yumi Matsutoya under her pseudonym Kureta Keiko, the song superbly captures the changing seasons and the freshness of young love.

The vibrant voice of a 19-year-old delivers subtle psychological nuances and the fleeting scenes of romance with exquisite finesse, resonating deeply with listeners.

In 2009, it was also used as the CM song for Fujifilm’s skincare brand “ASTALIFT,” drawing attention when its memorable melody played in commercials featuring Miyuki Nakajima.

Its sweet-and-sour melody, evoking nostalgic memories and the arrival of spring, is a track you’ll want to hear when cherry blossoms are in the air.

beautiful womanchanmina67rank/position

CHANMINA – Bijin (Dance Performance Video) –

This is a song by Chanmina that’s guaranteed to turn heads when you sing it at karaoke.

It carries a powerful message that challenges society’s imposed standards of “beauty.” Released as a single in April 2021, it’s also included on the album Harenchi.

Her raw, unfiltered performance on THE FIRST TAKE became a major talking point as well.

It’s perfect for when you want to strongly affirm yourself or blow away the frustration.

Grab the mic and give it a try!

La La LaDaikoku Maki68rank/position

La La La

Maki Ohguro is a female singer-songwriter whose husky yet solid, resonant voice leaves a strong impression.

For women in their 50s, she’s arguably quite a popular artist.

Among her songs, one I particularly recommend as easy to sing is “La La La.” While the range is slightly broad at mid2A to hiF#, the pitch movement isn’t at all drastic, so overall it’s a song that’s easy to sing.

From the C-melody into the final chorus, there are repeated high phrases, so it’s best to set your key with that section as the main reference.

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Ryo

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Roppongi HeartbreakAn Ruisu69rank/position

[PV] Roppongi Shinju - Ann Lewis

Ann Lewis’s signature song “Roppongi Shinju.” A rock number that symbolizes the bubble era, it became a nationwide hit, helped by its strikingly mismatched title pairing Roppongi with “double suicide.” Notably, the song has a very narrow vocal range, with the lowest note at mid2 D and the highest at hi A.

While the nature of the rock style calls for a slightly raspy, shouted delivery, the narrow range and mid-tempo BPM make it an excellent choice for aiming at high karaoke scores.

Be sure to add it to your repertoire.

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Ryo

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I miss you so much and want to see you.Nishino Kana70rank/position

I miss you so much, I want to see you.

It’s a song that became a massive hit thanks to the strong resonance it found with women, and I think this is the track most people associate with Kana Nishino.

Her charm lies in her overall gentle vocals; she doesn’t belt the high notes but sings them in mixed voice, which lets the message of the lyrics flow in naturally and makes it very pleasant to listen to.

This song conveys the real feelings of a girl in love—maximum heartbreak—and it’s the kind of track that might bring you to tears.

It’s one you’ll want to sing with all your might when you want to pour your feelings out to the person you like.

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Kubota Mami

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