Ranking of Popular Japanese Music and J-POP Artists Among People in Their 40s [2026]

The Last RainYasushi Nakanishi81rank/position

The Last Rain

Yasushi Nakanishi’s classic, filled with gentle yet heartrending emotion, is a ballad about parting with a lover.

The breakup scene, overlaid with imagery of rain, along with the portrayal of deep affection, possessiveness, and the acceptance of being unable to make the other person happy, leaves a strong impression.

The beautiful arrangement of piano and strings further highlights the crystalline quality of his vocals.

Released in August 1992, it was later used as the theme song for Hitachi’s “Ashita P-KAN Kibun!” and gradually gained support, ultimately becoming a massive hit with total sales of 900,000 copies.

In karaoke, its relaxed tempo and relatively narrow vocal range make it easy to sing calmly.

Why not sing it while carefully unfolding its story-like lyrics, together with your cherished memories?

astronomical observationBUMP OF CHICKEN82rank/position

BUMP OF CHICKEN “Stargazing”

A timeless masterpiece that has captured the hearts of countless generations continues to resonate with many people today.

Released by BUMP OF CHICKEN in February 2002, this song is known as one of the band’s signature tracks and was also used as an insert song for a Kansai TV/Fuji TV drama.

Included on the album “jupiter,” it became a million-seller.

Its lyrics contrast the innocence of childhood with the complex emotions of adulthood, portraying a willingness to face unanswerable questions—an approach that resonates with those standing at life’s crossroads.

As a song that gives listeners the courage to move forward without fearing failure, it has become a source of support for many.

ROSIERLUNA SEA83rank/position

LUNA SEA – 「ROSIER」MV

LUNA SEA is a five-member rock band whose inimitable musicality has electrified fans, inspiring countless visual kei bands to emulate their style.

Their third single, “ROSIER,” became a major hit despite having no tie-in, even winning the Japan Record Awards’ Best Promotional Video.

Its thrilling, syncopation-heavy beat naturally sends your energy soaring just by listening.

While it has a driving sense of speed, the song sits in a lower key, making it a rock tune that’s relatively easy to sing at karaoke.

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Hoshino Takashi

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StoryAI84rank/position

AI – Story

The AI with the famously husky voice.

While there are some high notes in the song, it’s mostly sung in a natural mid-range chest voice, so “Story” should be quite easy to sing! The tricky part of this song is definitely the high notes in the bridge.

My students practiced that same spot over and over.

If you sing it with the same feel as the chorus, you’ll run out of breath and your voice won’t carry.

It’s crucial to prepare before hitting the high notes! Since the song flows straight into the bridge after the end of the second verse, it can move on before you’ve had time to prepare… Take a quick breath right before the bridge and project your voice powerfully as if aiming into the distance! For the vowel “i,” it’s easy to spread the mouth sideways and tense up, so it’s easier to produce if you create space inside your mouth while pronouncing it.

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Kubota Mami

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A Little Love SongMONGOL80085rank/position

MONGOL800 / A Small Love Song

A straightforward love song by MONGOL800, a rock band from Okinawa.

Its pure lyrics remind us just how precious the people close to us truly are, touching the hearts of many.

Released in September 2001 and included on the album MESSAGE, which sold over 2.8 million copies, the song spent 14 consecutive weeks at No.

2 on the Oricon karaoke chart.

Its enduring popularity is evident in its use as the ending theme for the TV anime Teasing Master Takagi-san and as a motif for a 2019 film.

Put it on as driving music, and you’ll find yourself singing along under the blue sky.