Ranking of Popular Japanese Music and J-POP Artists Among People in Their 30s [2026]

Precious thingsroodo obu mejyaa8rank/position

Lord of Major / Precious Things

This is a track that could be called the very origin of Road of Major, a rock band formed from a TV show concept! Released in September 2002 as their indie debut single, it set a remarkable record by entering the Oricon Top 10 for 19 consecutive weeks despite having no tie-in.

It has continued to be loved over the years, later even being used in a car commercial in Taiwan.

With its exhilarating, fast-paced sound and lyrics that depict an unshakable bond with irreplaceable friends, it’s a song that makes your heart burn every time you hear it.

Also included on the classic album “ROAD OF MAJOR,” this track is perfect for throwing your arms around your friends at karaoke and singing together as you each set off on different paths after graduation.

Its melody, where overflowing passion coexists with a touch of bittersweetness, vividly brings back the shining memories of youth.

First LoveUtada Hikaru9rank/position

Hikaru Utada – First Love

A youthful love song by Hikaru Utada, whose lyrical piano tones and crystalline vocals sink deep into the heart.

The sorrow of parting and precious memories are woven together with care, and the recollection of first love returns like a film playing inside your mind.

Many will relate to the protagonist’s feeling that, even if a new romance comes along after the end of one, they can’t forget their first love.

Released in March 1999 on the album “First Love,” it was also used as the theme song for the drama “Majo no Jōken” broadcast the same year.

It’s a song that truly stays by the side of anyone who has experienced farewell with someone dear and is trying to move forward while holding those memories deep in their heart.

A Little Love SongMONGOL80010rank/position

A Little Love Song

It’s a coming-of-age love song that’s been adored across generations since its release on September 16, 2001.

The overall vocal range of the song is A#2 to G#4, and anyone who’s tried singing it has probably felt how wide the lower range is.

If you’re not used to singing low notes, your voice can get muffled and it becomes hard to sing.

In fact, when you’re not accustomed to a certain part of your range—whether low or high—you use more breath than you think.

You need to inhale with diaphragmatic breathing, and you also need to fully exhale the breath you’ve taken in.

Many people surprisingly don’t exhale completely, so for low notes, project your voice forward slowly and make sure to breathe out fully.

If you can nail the low notes in the A melody, you can suddenly aim for a high score!

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Kubota Mami

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Butter-FlyWada Kōji11rank/position

Butterfly Full Version-Digimon Adventure Opening

The game “Digimon” still enjoys enduring popularity today.

At first, the series had a strong image as a Bandai handheld electronic game, but its popularity really took off after it was adapted into an anime.

Koji Wada’s “Butter-Fly” is known as the theme song for the anime “Digimon Adventure,” and it is still remembered as a classic anime song.

One of the charms of this piece is its lively, quintessentially anime-style melody.

Its straightforward and exhilarating tune—something not often heard in recent anime songs—likely captured the hearts of men in their 30s who were kids at the time.

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Ryo

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CAN YOU CELEBRATE?Amuro Namie12rank/position

CAN YOU CELEBRATE? – Namie Amuro (Full)

The 9th single “CAN YOU CELEBRATE?” was written as the theme song for the TV drama Virgin Road.

It’s Namie Amuro’s biggest hit and a double-million seller beloved as a wedding staple.

With minimal melodic movement, it’s easy to sing, but since it shifts between a lively shuffle beat and a ballad, be careful not to get left behind by the rhythmic changes.

As a universally known hit, it’s a pop tune guaranteed to fire up any karaoke session.

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Hoshino Takashi

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White LoveSPEED13rank/position

SPEED / White Love -Music Video-

Formed by members from the Okinawa Actors School, SPEED is a four-member idol-style dance and vocal group whose sensational debut became a hot topic.

Their fifth single, “White Love,” which became the group’s biggest hit, is a poignant winter song featured in a Shiseido T’ESSERA Angel Drop commercial.

Women in their 30s—the generation that grew up with the group—may find themselves wanting to sing along, recalling the memorable dance performance.

It’s an emotional pop tune perfect for karaoke during the Christmas season, matching beautifully with snowy scenery.

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Hoshino Takashi

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GLAMOROUS SKYNANA starring MIKA NAKASHIMA14rank/position

Mika Nakashima “GLAMOROUS SKY” Music Video (4K Video)

“GLAMOROUS SKY,” released as the theme song for the movie NANA.

With lyrics by Ai Yazawa, the original author of NANA, and composition/production by HYDE, it was a smash hit created by an all-star team! The song itself isn’t too high, so it’s in a range that many women can sing comfortably—so I imagine a lot of people choose it.

However, the highest note E5 appears at the end of the second chorus.

That’s where you’ll want to nail it with style! Syllables in the “ma” row tend to be nasal and are harder to produce than other sounds.

So try projecting your voice a bit stronger than you think! Make sure to place the accents firmly to match the timing there.

If the key feels difficult, it’s fine to use falsetto at first.

As you get used to it, you’ll be able to produce a stronger falsetto; brace your lower abdomen and add those accents!

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Kubota Mami

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