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Ranking of Popular Japanese Music and J-POP Artists Among People in Their 60s [2026]

Artists who sing J-POP and Japanese songs that are popular among people in their 60s

Ranking of Popular Japanese Music and J-POP Artists Among People in Their 60s [2026] (61–70)

12th graderFunaki Kazuo61rank/position

This is a masterpiece whose nostalgic, march-like melody and warm vocals—enveloping the bittersweet farewell of youth—resonate deeply.

It begins with the scene of the setting sun reflected on the school building, moves through images of boys and girls dancing a folk dance, and gently depicts the end of high school life with memories shared among friends before parting.

Released in June 1963 as Kazuo Funaki’s debut single, it became a massive hit, selling over one million copies within a year.

In November of the same year, a film of the same title was produced, with Funaki himself in the starring role.

It’s a song I’d recommend to those who cherish memories of their youth or feel nostalgic for their school days.

Why not give it a listen in the springtime, when you want to spend your days with a calm and peaceful heart?

Sailor Suit and Machine GunYakushimaru Hiroko62rank/position

A perfect song for anyone who has parted ways with someone important to chase their dreams.

Released in November 1981 as Hiroko Yakushimaru’s debut single, it became a huge hit as the theme song for the film of the same name.

With its simple melody and careful, heartfelt vocals, it felt fresh amid the fierce idol boom of the time.

It was also used as an insert song in the anime Maison Ikkoku, making it beloved across generations.

Sing it at karaoke, and memories of your youth will come rushing back—sure to spark lively conversations with friends.

Why not sing it together with your closest companions?

A Cruel Angel’s ThesisTakahashi Yoko63rank/position

“Cruel Angel’s Thesis” MUSIC VIDEO (HD ver.) / Zankoku na Tenshi no Te-ze “The Cruel Angel’s Thesis”
A Cruel Angel's ThesisTakahashi Yoko

It’s a song widely loved as the opening theme of the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion, resounding with Yoko Takahashi’s vocals.

It portrays youth’s growth and potential with words that are both beautiful and powerful.

Released in October 1995, it has remained timeless for over 25 years, continuing to leave a deep impression on many people.

It even won first place overall in JOYSOUND’s ranking of songs sung during the Heisei era, boasting popularity across generations.

It’s a track that can lift your spirits when you listen during little moments—while doing housework or on a drive.

Why not hum along? It’s sure to set your heart dancing.

The Bride of SetoKoyanagi Rumiko64rank/position

Seto no Hanayome – Rumiko Koyanagi (1972) 1979 · HD1080P
The Bride of SetoKoyanagi Rumiko

Seto no Hanayome is a heartwarming ballad that has been loved across generations.

Rumiko Koyanagi’s characteristically clear vocals are striking and gently nestle close to the listener’s heart.

Its relaxed melody lingers in the ears, evoking memories of days gone by.

The lyrics beautifully weave together hope for a new life with a touch of loneliness, making it a song that resonates with people of all ages.

It’s often chosen as a karaoke staple and feels familiar and approachable.

While it stirs nostalgia for the past, it also gives you the courage to face the time ahead with positivity.

A song that offers the healing power inherent in the act of listening—truly a masterpiece worthy of the name.

youthMorita Kōichi to Toppugyaran65rank/position

Released in 1976, Koichi Morita & Top Gallant’s song “Seishun Jidai” is etched deeply in the hearts of those in their 60s.

Nostalgic yet powerful, it brings back the feelings of those school days for many.

Yasushi Akutagawa’s lyrics carefully capture the complexities of youth, and their message still resonates unfaded today.

A million-seller that appeared on the 1977 NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen, it has been covered many times over the years and continues to be loved by people of all generations.

Let’s sing along as we reflect on those days that remain in our hearts.

Tokyoyashiki takajin66rank/position

Released in March 1993, this mood-kayō song fuses tearful enka with sophisticated urban pop.

Through Kansai-dialect lyrics, it movingly portrays a romance and breakup with a man she met in Tokyo, along with her complex feelings toward the city.

Takajin Yashiki was an artist who was active mainly in the Kansai region, also serving as a host of the popular program “Sei! Young.” This piece became a hit as requests on cable radio surged, ultimately selling a total of 600,000 copies.

In live performances, he would sometimes change the place name in the chorus to match the concert location, valuing a sense of unity with the audience.

When singing it at karaoke, it’s recommended to sing at an easy, relaxed pace while thinking of your hometown and the special people you’ve met.

dogwood (flowering dogwood)Hitoto Yo67rank/position

Released in February 2004, this work has continued to be loved as a classic of J-pop.

Hitoto Yo’s clear, translucent vocals and lyrics imbued with prayers for peace make this song deeply moving.

With its relaxed tempo and stepwise melodic progression, it’s surprisingly easy to sing.

It has also been used on Nippon TV’s “Tuesday Suspense Theater” and in commercials, making it familiar to many people.

It’s a perfect song to sing with thoughts for someone special.

Why not sing it slowly, layering your own experiences and emotions into it?

The Last RainYasushi Nakanishi68rank/position

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?

I LOVE YOUOzaki Yutaka69rank/position

Yutaka Ozaki – I LOVE YOU (Official Music Video)
I LOVE YOUOzaki Yutaka

Released in 1983, this is Yutaka Ozaki’s signature love ballad—so famous that almost everyone knows it.

I’ve taught “I LOVE YOU” in lessons several times, and I feel it’s a tough song for people who struggle with falsetto; many students actually used this song to practice it.

You shouldn’t need to change the key—the original should be comfortable to sing.

Since some people aren’t confident with falsetto, let’s review the key points.

If you’ve mostly been singing in chest voice, you’re probably used to pushing with just your voice without using much breath.

To use your breath properly, humming is important.

Do a nasal hum to create nasal resonance so the sound vibrates in your nose.

Be careful not to force it with your throat.

After a light hum, keep the resonance in the same place and let your singing voice become thinner and lighter.

At all times.Makihara Noriyuki70rank/position

[Official] Noriyuki Makihara “No Matter What” (Music Video) [3rd Single] (1991) Noriyuki Makihara/donnatokimo [No. 1]
At all times.Makihara Noriyuki

A signature work by Noriyuki Makihara that delivers a universal message of living true to yourself, carried by a powerful yet gentle melody.

While acknowledging the doubts and anxieties of life, this classic is imbued with a strong resolve to cherish your true self.

Included on the album “Who Do You Share a Happy Yawn With?”, it became a massive hit, surpassing one million copies within six months of its June 1991 release.

It was also selected as the entrance march for the 64th National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament in spring 1992.

The melody, featuring a distinctive acoustic guitar and a calm tempo, makes it easy to sing.

For many people, it’s a song that resonates in the heart when standing at a crossroads or when they feel on the verge of losing themselves.