[40s] Popular Japanese Music / J-POP Rankings [By Generation]

budKobukuro85rank/position

Kobukuro – Tsubomi

Kobukuro has many songs that move you with their vocal prowess and lyrical depth.

This work is their 14th single, released in March 2007, and it became widely loved as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Tokyo Tower: Mom and Me, and Sometimes Dad.” Written by Kobuchi with thoughts for his mother, who passed away when he was young, the song conveys the aching sense of loss after losing someone precious, while also powerfully urging you to keep looking forward and walking on.

Centered on acoustic guitar with a simple sound, the duo’s harmonies gently seep into the heart, and the emotional melody of the chorus surges to stir your feelings.

It is also known as one of the defining songs of 2007, having won the 49th Japan Record Award.

Spring is a season of meetings and farewells.

Not every song will put you in a cheerful mood—some people carry heavy feelings.

This is a moving number that quietly stays by your side in such times and makes you think, “Maybe I can keep trying a little longer.”

As I love you selfishly, I won’t hurt anyone but you.B’z86rank/position

B'z / As Love Is, As Selfish As I Am, I Won't Hurt Anyone But You

“Ai no mama ni wagamama ni boku wa kimi dake o kizutsukenai” is a song released in 1993 by the rock duo B’z.

Sing it at karaoke and the length of the title alone will be a great conversation starter—instant crowd-pleaser! The track sold over two million copies and achieved an extraordinary run on the Oricon charts, ranking No.

1 for four consecutive weeks.

As a result, it’s beloved across generations as one of B’z’s signature songs.

It was also used as the theme song for the 1993 remake of the TV drama Journey to the West (Saiyuki).

If you’re from the same generation, it might help you bond with others who watched the show too!

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Yoimachi Jēn

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Premium salted grilled Kuroge Wagyu tongue 680 yenOtsuka Ai87rank/position

Ai Otsuka / Grilled Kuroge Wagyu Top Salted Tongue 680 yen

This is a song about pure love for someone special.

Created by Ai Otsuka, this number was released in February 2005 as her seventh single.

It was chosen as the ending theme for the anime Black Jack and became a hot topic.

It’s a love song with an intriguingly unusual title, and its heartwarming lyrics and gentle melody are truly wonderful.

It reminds you that the ordinary moments of everyday life are the real treasures.

Brimming with that kind of charm, this piece will surely bring you a sense of calm when you listen to it!

StoryAI88rank/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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LOVE MachineMōningu Musume.89rank/position

Morning Musume. 'LOVE Machine' (MV)

When it comes to the group that dramatically reshaped idol culture in the Heisei era, it has to be Morning Musume.

Their seventh single—the group’s first to sell over a million—features a sound that boldly incorporates elements of funk and disco, paired with an irresistibly bright, upbeat worldview.

Its catchy choreography, easy for anyone to imitate, carries an overwhelming power that draws listeners in.

Released in September 1999, the song became a massive hit, selling a total of 1.647 million copies.

In later years, it was adapted into a celebrated “masterpiece” drama series and a rearranged version was used in a web commercial, proving its enduring popularity.

Holding the record of 17 consecutive weeks at No.

1 on karaoke charts, this track is the perfect dance tune for getting a crowd fired up at parties and gatherings.

Swaying feelingsZARD90rank/position

“Shaking Feelings” Music Video

When it comes to ZARD’s signature songs, many people would probably name this one.

Included on the album “Yureru Omoi,” released in July 1993, this track is characterized by Izumi Sakai’s clear, airy vocals and a melody that resonates with the heart.

The lyrics Sakai weaves delicately portray the wavering feelings of being in love, and the song has long been cherished for how it gently accompanies listeners’ emotions.

Its refreshing atmosphere—evoking memories of summer—is another part of its appeal.

It’s perfect as background music for a drive or for singing at karaoke.

It’s also recommended for people in their 40s who want to reminisce about those days, as it’s a song that lets you feel a pleasant summer breeze along with a touch of nostalgia.

After the FestivalKuwata Keisuke91rank/position

Keisuke Kuwata – After the Festival (Full ver.)

That sudden stillness and loneliness that arrives after a joyful time.

Keisuke Kuwata masterfully sings of that sentimental scene that everyone can relate to.

Released in October 1994, this song was also used as the theme for the drama “Shizukanaru Don,” and surely remains in many people’s memories.

The helpless lingering attachment and unbroken, pure feelings after a passionate love has ended are woven together by a weathered, Dylan-esque vocal timbre and a gently resonant acoustic sound.

The faint warmth and bittersweet ache that remain after the frenzy—portrayed so vividly in this work—are truly nothing short of breathtaking.

It’s a gem of a rock ballad, perfect for immersing yourself in quiet reflection on days gone by as summer ends and autumn begins.