Ranking of Popular Japanese Music and J-Pop Artists Among Junior High School Students [2026]

It’s okay.BLUE ENCOUNT96rank/position

BLUE ENCOUNT “Daijoubu” Music Video (YouTube Ver.)

With lyrics that hit straight to the heart, BLUE ENCOUNT’s “Daijoubu” pairs perfectly with youth.

Many of Blue En’s songs bring tears and reach straight for your heart, don’t they? This track is their fifth single, released in 2016.

True to the title “Daijoubu” (“It’s okay”), it’s a song that wholeheartedly affirms and cheers you on.

It’s a perfect fit as BGM for a sports day, giving you the motivation to look up, push forward, and aim higher.

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utatane

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Don’t give upZARD97rank/position

Don't Give Up – ZARD (Full)

“Makenaide” is a classic cheer song beloved by a wide range of generations.

It’s a track released in 1993 by the music unit ZARD.

The song is well known for being sung during the 24-Hour TV charity marathon and for being used as the entrance music at high school baseball tournaments.

Its lyrics depict the feelings of a woman cheering on someone pursuing their dreams.

When you’re on the verge of losing heart, listening to it will surely fill you with energy and spirit.

Why not play it in the final stretch of a long-distance run?

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yamamoto

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Footsteps ~Be StrongMr.Children98rank/position

Mr.Children “Footsteps” Live from TOUR 2015 REFLECTION

A popular song that was also used as the theme for the drama “Nobunaga Concerto.” Described in the show as a motivational anthem that gives you a push forward, it was reportedly completed after numerous rewrites and marks Mr.

Children’s first self-produced track.

Perhaps for that reason, it carries a vibe of taking a new step.

While it’s not uptempo, it could work well for intermission staging or as background music.

R.Y.U.S.E.I.Sandaime Jē Sōru Burazāzu fromu Eguzairu Toraibu99rank/position

Sandaime J SOUL BROTHERS from EXILE TRIBE / “R.Y.U.S.E.I.” Music Video

The dance and vocal group Sandaime J Soul Brothers from EXILE TRIBE captivates fans with their translucent singing voices and breathtaking dance performances.

Their 13th single, “R.Y.U.S.E.I.,” which was chosen as TCK’s 2014 campaign song, features an immersive sound that evokes the image suggested by its title.

The running man in the song’s interlude—now synonymous with the group—would be a spectacular sight when everyone dances it together at school sports days and athletic festivals.

It’s an upbeat dance tune that elevates the energy, even as background music during competitions.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Gate of GloryHirai Dai100rank/position

Dai Hirai / The Door of Glory (Music Video)

The song that will liven up the sports day, where students showcase the results of all their hard practice, is “Eiko no Tobira” (“Door to Glory”).

It was released in 2022 by singer-songwriter Dai Hirai and was also chosen as a cheer song for the summer high school baseball tournament.

His warm vocals, which gently accompany feelings of doubt and anxiety, resonate deeply.

The words that cheer on the days devoted to preparing for competitions and matches will surely encourage the athletes.

It’s a piece that portrays not only wins and losses, but the beauty of striving itself.

Alongside its grand, unfolding sound, lend an ear to the message that supports students on their big day.

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mutō

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