Popular Japanese music. Latest rankings [2026]

Just Be FriendsDixie Flatline64rank/position

Megurine Luka | Just Be Friends

The bittersweet dance beat of “Just Be Friends.” Since the tempo isn’t too fast, it’s easy to sing at karaoke.

Among Vocaloid songs, the melody line is very simple, and the fact that it doesn’t feel so typically “Vocaloid” might also make it easier to sing.

It’s a dance track that makes your body want to move, so lightly riding the rhythm while you sing will help you relax and make it easier to stay on pitch.

Be careful not to move too exaggeratedly, or you’ll throw off the groove! Also, singing as if you’re speaking in a polite, outward-facing voice will help keep your pitch stable, so it’s recommended!

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Kubota Mami

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Que sera, seraMrs. GREEN APPLE65rank/position

Mrs. GREEN APPLE “Que Sera Sera” Official Music Video

This is a song by Mrs.

GREEN APPLE with a magical power to blow away gloomy feelings.

True to its title, which means “what will be, will be” in Spanish, it gently—and at times powerfully—pushes listeners forward.

Released digitally in April 2023, it was written as the theme for the drama “Even if It’s Just Sunday Night,” starring Nana Seino, and garnered attention for winning the 65th Japan Record Award.

Life doesn’t always go as planned, but it’s okay to stay true to yourself.

That message resonates deeply with hearts starting to feel the fatigue of a new chapter.

Even on May mornings when you’re unmotivated, listening to this track will make you think, “All right, let’s give it a try,” and face forward.

Spot the differenceSuda Masaki66rank/position

Masaki Suda 'Machigai Sagashi' (Spot the Difference)

Even if your life feels full of mistakes, the hopeful message that a single encounter can validate everything stirs the listener’s heart.

Masaki Suda is an artist who stands out not only as an actor but also in the music scene.

Released in May 2019, this song was written, composed, and produced by his close friend Kenshi Yonezu, and was chosen as the theme song for the drama “Perfect World.” Free from the constraints of right and wrong, its unwavering resolve to simply think of someone dear blows away the anxieties of those about to walk separate paths.

It’s an emotional number you’ll want to sing as a fight song for yourself, too.

horizonback number67rank/position

back number – Horizon

back number is a three-piece band from Gunma Prefecture.

Their song “Suiheisen” (Horizon), released in August 2020 and later distributed in August 2021, is a ballad that gently stays by your side when your heart is weary.

Created for high school students whose feelings had nowhere to go after the Inter-High School Championships were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the piece portrays the journey of facing oneself amid despair and sorrow, and gradually discovering hope, carried by a melody that is tender yet powerful.

It’s a song especially for those who strive to live each day earnestly and feel suffocated by the weight of the burdens they carry.

MetronomeYonezu Kenshi68rank/position

Kenshi Yonezu – Metronome

Let me introduce a delicate ballad that traces the way hearts fall out of sync over time.

Comparing two people to metronomes keeping their own tempo, the lyrics portray how a rhythm that once matched gradually drifts apart—piercingly resonant, isn’t it? Even after the breakup, the lingering attachment and regret that lead one to wish for the other’s happiness yet still hope for a reunion are sure to bring listeners to tears.

This song is included on the album “Bremen,” released in October 2015.

It’s also known for the fact that Kenshi Yonezu not only wrote and composed it, but also created the music video, drawing about 200 original illustrations.

A song about the emotional distance that love alone cannot prevent, it’s one to hear on nights when the pain of heartbreak won’t fade, or for anyone who just can’t forget someone.

Letter to the SkyGReeeeN69rank/position

Soraenotegami

Like sending a letter with no address up into the sky, this GReeeeN song gives voice to feelings you want to convey even if they never reach their destination.

It’s included on the album “Shio, Kosho,” released in June 2009, which won Best Album at the 51st Japan Record Awards.

Though it had no flashy tie-ins, this piece has quietly resonated with many listeners as a ballad that leaves a deep afterglow toward the end of the album.

The layered vocals and choral work—spreading out as if gently supporting a single prayer—are especially striking.

It’s a song we particularly want to send to those standing at the milestone of graduation, carrying unspoken gratitude and words left unsaid.

As you look back on the days when you couldn’t be honest with a teacher or mentor, why not entrust your feelings to this song?

Wherever you areONE OK ROCK70rank/position

Wherever you are

Wherever you are, a signature ballad by ONE OK ROCK, remains a beloved classic that still enjoys enduring popularity at karaoke and beyond.

It’s a work that fully showcases elements of Western rock ballads, featuring expressions not typically found in standard Japanese pop, which is part of its appeal.

While the song isn’t particularly known as a harmonizing piece, if you listen closely, you’ll hear solid backing vocals in the chorus and the bridge.

Given its emotional nature, adding harmonies can bring out a great deal of beauty in the vocals, so definitely give it a try.

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Ryo

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