Japanese Pop (J-Pop) Rankings Popular Among Women [2026]

fragileEvery Little Thing85rank/position

Every Little Thing / fragile

It’s a song by Every Little Thing that expresses the feeling, “I can’t quite be honest, but deep down I truly love you.” The lyrics are practically a confession of love—so much so that it’s hard to imagine any man feeling nothing if it’s sung right in front of him.

If you sing it with gratitude for having met him and with the wish to keep spending time together from now on, even a man who has only ever seen you as a friend won’t be able to help but take notice.

Why not try singing it with a touch of longing, imagining Kaori Mochida’s clear, expansive voice?

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yuri

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BibbidebaHoshimachi Suisei86rank/position

Bibideba / Hoshimachi Suisei (official)

Suisei Hoshimachi’s “Bibideba” became a hot topic on YouTube in 2024 as an “insanely difficult rap” and a “top-tier challenge” song—have you heard of it? Some of my students actually tried it, and when I taught it, I felt that on a first pass it’s quite hard and the melody is tough to anticipate.

Beyond rhythm and pitch, it includes rapid-fire sections and rap parts—there are lots of elements packed in.

If you can master it, it’s a super fun and satisfying song to sing! In the chorus, many phrase endings switch to head voice, so lift your facial muscles and keep centering your pitch between the eyebrows, imagining the sound traveling from the brow up through the head as you transition to head voice.

Raising your hand toward your head while singing can make the visualization easier and help the voice come out more freely.

For the word-heavy sections, don’t try to articulate every syllable crisply; instead, let the words flow so they ride the melody as you sing.

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Kubota Mami

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bow knotAimer87rank/position

Aimer “Chouchou Musubi” (produced and written by Yojiro Noda of RADWIMPS)

Aimer’s 11th single, which uses the metaphor of a “butterfly knot” to depict love and human relationships.

Composed and produced by Yojiro Noda of RADWIMPS, it became a hot topic and was released in August 2016.

Chosen as the theme song for the TV program “Sukkiri!!,” the track beautifully fuses Aimer’s heartrending yet powerful vocals with Noda’s delicate songwriting.

The lyrics, delivered in her distinctive husky voice, portray the subtleties of romance and the complexities of human connections with elegance, leaving a deep emotional impact on listeners.

It’s a song that stays close to the heart—perfect for reflecting on relationships with someone important or for quietly facing yourself.

Please forget it.Yorushika88rank/position

Yorushika – Please Forget (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

A song by Yorushika whose gentle melody and soul-soothing vocals evoke a sense of nostalgia.

The theme centers on self-sacrificial love, as the narrator wishes for their beloved to “forget” them for the sake of the beloved’s future.

Yet behind those words seems to lie a desperate, contradictory feeling of “I actually don’t want you to forget,” and that tension tightens the listener’s chest.

Released in July 2024 as the theme song for the drama “GO HOME: Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department—Unidentified Persons Consultation Office,” this sentimental number quietly stays by your side on nights when you’re nursing heartbreak or immersing yourself in memories of someone dear.

Unchanging ThingsOku Hanako89rank/position

Unchanging Things

Okuda Hanako’s classic song “Kawaranai Mono” (“The Unchanging”).

Released in 2006, it’s well known as an insert song for the film The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, and its orthodox J-pop ballad style has garnered support from many listeners.

The song’s vocal range spans mid2 A# to hi C#, which is a very comfortable and relatively narrow range for female singers.

While the final chorus features a solid development, there’s no key change, so you’re unlikely to struggle with vocal height.

In terms of range, pitch movement, and rhythm, it’s an easy song overall—definitely give it a try.

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Ryo

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It’s nothing.Kamishiraishi Mone90rank/position

Nandemonaiya (movie ver.)

Nandemonaiya by RADWIMPS is the ending theme of the blockbuster 2016 animated film Your Name.

Mone Kamishiraishi’s cover version captivates with her gentle, mellow vocals.

The bittersweet, tender lyrics, packed with the film’s worldview, pair perfectly with a soft, embracing female voice.

If you sing it at karaoke with someone who’s seen the movie, you might be able to get even closer afterward by chatting about the film!

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yuri

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A Midsummer Night’s DreamMatsutōya Yumi91rank/position

Yumi Matsutoya – Midsummer Night’s Dream

When it comes to Yuming’s signature songs, this is the one! The lyrics vividly portray a passionate romance on a hot summer night.

Amid shimmering fireworks and sudden downpours, it captures sweet, heartrending moments with striking clarity.

Released in July 1993, it was used as the theme song for the TBS drama “Dare ni mo Ienai” (“I Can’t Tell Anyone”).

The single topped the Oricon weekly chart and became her first million-seller.

It has been covered by many artists, a testament to its widespread appeal.

Highly recommended if you want to liven up a karaoke session—enjoy its exotic, passionate atmosphere while reminiscing about a love from the past.