[Middle School Students] Popular Japanese Songs / J-POP Rankings [By Generation]

It’s nothing.Kamishiraishi Mone15rank/position

Nandemonaiya (RADWIMPS / Mone Kamishiraishi) Full ver. / Yanawaraba

This is a memorable song distinguished by a gentle, heart-touching voice.

Known as the theme song for the film Your Name., this piece is performed by Mone Kamishiraishi with her own unique interpretation.

The lyrics, which weave a story that transcends time, are further enhanced by her clear, translucent vocals.

Released in October 2016, the song captured the hearts of many alongside the film’s massive success and has become a popular choice for karaoke.

Blending moving lyrics with a pleasant melody, it’s perfect for creating memories with friends or expressing your feelings to someone special.

Gray and Blue (+Masaki Suda)Yonezu Kenshi16rank/position

Kenshi Yonezu – Gray and Blue (+Masaki Suda)

The day of parting will inevitably come someday…

Until that moment arrives, let’s cherish the time we have with friends and those we love—this is a poignant ballad that makes you feel exactly that.

It’s a collaboration between singer-songwriter Kenshi Yonezu and actor Masaki Suda, included on Yonezu’s 2017 album “BOOTLEG.” The lyrics, which simply dwell on someone far away, truly hit home.

It’s an emotional masterpiece that I want not only middle schoolers but also working adults to listen to.

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CorrectRADWIMPS17rank/position

RADWIMPS – The Answer [Official Music Video]

A gentle anthem of support that blends the bittersweetness and hope of youth.

It portrays, with a warm gaze, the feelings of young people searching for answers of their own.

Its message—that there is no single right answer in life and it’s okay to move forward at your own pace—will surely touch everyone’s heart.

Released digitally in January 2024 by RADWIMPS, this song has often been sung at school graduation ceremonies and in scenes of remembrance.

When you feel anxious about the future or find yourself at a crossroads in life, this warm, comforting track will softly nudge you forward.

Please, take the courage from this song to help you step into a new beginning.

StaRtMrs. GREEN APPLE18rank/position

Usable for sports day! Mrs. GREEN APPLE “StaRt” easy dance choreography ♪ #SportsDay #PEdance #MrsGreenApple

This is a song by Mrs.

GREEN APPLE that captured many hearts with its exhilarating pop-rock sound and uplifting message.

It was included on their major-label debut mini-album “Variety,” released in July 2015, and was also featured in a Kao Merit commercial in 2017.

Riding an up-tempo rhythm, the song celebrates the small joys hidden in everyday life and the courage to take on new challenges.

Brimming with youthful performance and a pleasant, positive energy, it’s a perfect track for school festivals or sports day dance routines.

Dinner Songtuki.19rank/position

tuki. “Banquet Song” Official Music Video

Woven into song with the ache of bittersweet love, tuki.’s music resonates across genders and generations.

This work carefully portrays the inner conflicts born from repeated partings and renewals with a loved one, gently expressing affection and gratitude toward the other person.

Released in September 2023, it also drew attention with an acoustic version featuring Yuuri in December of the same year.

The stirring vocals and melody are perfect for karaoke; performing it at school festivals or gatherings with friends—any moment when you want to share feelings—will surely strike a deep chord with listeners.

Its warm atmosphere and clear, transparent vocal quality will gently envelop the room.

DarlingMrs. GREEN APPLE20rank/position

Mrs. GREEN APPLE "Darling" Official Music Video

Mrs.

GREEN APPLE powerfully sings of the struggles and hopes of youth in this song, released in January 2025.

Created as the theme for NHK General’s special program “Mrs.

GREEN APPLE 18 Festival,” it featured a performance with 1,000 eighteen-year-olds that drew widespread acclaim.

Centered on the importance of living authentically as yourself, the piece delicately portrays the feelings of those weighed down by others’ expectations and social pressure.

Its message—keep moving forward by staying true to yourself and listening to your inner voice—is sure to resonate deeply with graduates taking their first steps toward a new chapter.

Blending an emotional melody with an energetic sound, this song offers courage for the future while looking back on days spent with friends.

We againSG21rank/position

We Again (Wind Ensemble ver.) – SG (Official Behind-the-Scenes Music Video)

This work by SG has gained support as an encouraging song that resonates deeply during graduations and farewells.

Its gentle melody, which accompanies young people as they overcome partings and take new steps forward, and its lyrics filled with hope for reunion are especially appealing.

Released in April 2021, it has become a popular track with a cumulative 150 million streams.

Starting in November 2024, it has also been featured in Calorie Mate’s exam-season support commercial, and a concert band version by the Hanazono Tokuei High School Wind Ensemble has been making waves.

It’s a heartwarming song for farewells, graduation ceremonies, and moments when you long to see someone special again.

It’s a recommended track for times when you want to cherish your memories while looking ahead and doing your best.