Ranking of Popular Japanese Pop (J-Pop) Artists Among People in Their 50s [2026]

Love will winKAN71rank/position

Aiwa Katsu

When it comes to anthems that defined the early 1990s music scene, many people will think of this classic created by KAN.

Released in September 1990 as his eighth single, the song was featured as an insert track on Fuji TV’s “Hono-chan no Yamadakatsutenai Television” and became a massive hit, selling over 2.01 million copies.

Singing of a conviction that never yields to any hardship, this work can now be called a Japanese standard loved across generations.

Its irresistibly bright piano melody and straightforward lyrics gently comfort a discouraged heart and give you the strength to face tomorrow.

Listen to it when you hit a wall in life and let it lift your spirits.

outdatedKawashima Eigo72rank/position

Jidai Okure (Behind the Times) Eigo Kawashima – Unofficial Video

A singer-songwriter with outstanding vocal ability, Eigo Kawashima’s signature song.

“Jidai Okure” is a gritty number that sings of a man who doesn’t get swept along by the times.

The lyrics by Yū Aku resonate with the resolve to stay true to one’s convictions.

Ever since its release on April 21, 1986, it has been beloved for many years, and five years later in 1991, Eigo Kawashima performed it solo with guitar at NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

For people in their 50s, it may be a nostalgic song that brings back memories of their youth.

Its range isn’t wide and there are few long notes, making it an easy song to try even for those who aren’t confident singers.

It’s also great for livening up a karaoke session with friends.

HELLOFukuyama Masaharu73rank/position

Masaharu Fukuyama – HELLO (Full ver.)

Released in 1995, “HELLO” became a big hit as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama ‘The Best Unrequited Love: WHITE LOVE STORY.’ Since it’s sung by Fukuyama, the overall vocal range of the song is D#3–F#4, which isn’t very high, so I think it’s easy even for beginners to sing.

However, the tempo is a bit fast, so be careful not to fall behind the rhythm.

The melody is very simple and easy to remember.

In the A and B sections, cut off the word endings and be mindful of the pauses so you don’t rush.

At the start of the chorus, make sure to put your voice firmly into the mic—this should also enhance your expressiveness!

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Kubota Mami

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Space Battleship Yamatosasaki isao74rank/position

Space Battleship Yamato (1) / Isao Sasaki + The Royal Knights

Space Battleship Yamato, which became wildly popular with the TV anime in 1974 and the film in 1977.

Remember the heart-pounding tension of the end credits announcing the number of days left until the supposed extinction of humanity? It was also shocking to learn that Captain Okita, who seemed like an old man at the time, was actually 52 years old.

And the protagonist, Susumu Kodai, is just 18—astonishing, isn’t it? Speaking of anime theme songs, the voice of Isao Sasaki really hits you—an immortal masterpiece.

Let’s all get fired up and sing along.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Believe in your dreamsTokunaga Hideaki75rank/position

Hidetoshi Tokunaga – Believe in Dreams

A timeless song that sings of aching love and hope for the future was released as a single in January 1990.

Hideaki Tokunaga’s clear, crystalline vocals resonate with those standing at life’s crossroads.

Used as the ending theme for the Fuji TV anime Dragon Quest, it climbed to No.

3 on the charts.

It has been included on many albums and covered by other artists as well.

This piece gives you the courage to keep moving forward, to believe in yourself even after setbacks.

When you’re lost in life, why not listen to this song and draw some strength from it?

I’m smitten with you.Yellow Magic Orchestra76rank/position

Yellow Magic Orchestra – “Kimi Ni Mune Kyun“ (Official Music Video)

Yellow Magic Orchestra is a group that gained popularity for their innovative electronic music.

Their song “Kimi ni, Mune Kyun.” was composed from the perspective that, since they had been supplying hit numbers to idols at the time, “if we can keep cranking out idol hits, then in theory we could also become popular as middle-aged idols ourselves.” As a result, it features a catchy, somewhat cute melody.

With a narrow vocal range and a fairly even melodic contour, it’s also a very easy song to sing.

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Ryo

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cherrysupittsu77rank/position

Spitz / Cherry

This is Spitz’s 13th single, released in April 1996.

Even though it had no tie-in at the time of release, it sold over 1.6 million copies—truly another iconic J-pop song of the Heisei era! The melody is very easy to remember and sing, so be sure to learn it and enjoy singing it.

Just take care not to make your singing feel too heavy.

Not just this song, but many tracks released from the late ’90s to the early 2000s were made with karaoke in mind, making that era a treasure trove of karaoke-friendly songs.

It’s highly recommended to search for songs from that angle!

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Kei Takahata

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