Ranking of Popular Japanese Music/J-POP Artists Among People in Their 20s [2026]

March 9Remioromen64rank/position

Remioromen – March 9

When graduation season arrives, the familiar melody flowing through the streets—Remioromen’s “March 9th”—is a classic engraved in many people’s hearts.

Released on March 9, 2004, this song conveys friendship and hope for new beginnings, and gained even wider support through its use in the drama “1 Litre of Tears.” As a song that colors the day of departure, it enriches irreplaceable memories.

How about listening again to Remioromen’s warm message that accompanies each person’s graduation? It will surely bring back memories of that day when you stood shoulder to shoulder and sang.

StoryAI65rank/position

AI – Story

AI’s “Story” is filled with messages that resonate with the heart.

Released in May 2005, this song gently wraps listeners in warmth.

With powerful vocals and relatable lyrics, it has continued to stay close to many people’s hearts.

In 2014, it was chosen as the Japanese end theme for the film Big Hero 6, bringing it even more love from a wider audience.

Sing it at karaoke, and memories with friends or words of encouragement for yourself will surely come flooding back.

It may be hard to imitate AI’s vocals, but the power of this song will undoubtedly come through.

together; along with; bothWANIMA66rank/position

WANIMA – Together (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

WANIMA’s hit song “Tomoni.” While many of its lyrics are negative, the chorus suddenly shifts to a highly positive message, and that strong contrast made the track popular with many listeners.

In this piece, the lowest note is mid1 F and the highest is hi C#, which is a relatively wide range for a male vocal song.

However, the hi C# only appears twice in the first verse’s A section; the song is basically structured with hi A# as the top note, so with key adjustment it can be quite singable.

Since it tends to have fewer natural breakpoints, lowering the key by one step from your optimal key may work better when actually singing.

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Ryo

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somedaySaucy Dog67rank/position

Saucy Dog "Someday" MUSIC VIDEO

A straightforward, honest love song that brings the ache and poignancy of heartbreak right to your chest.

Through real-life scenes—like the deserted park at Tawarayama and the sloping road where you can see the starry sky—the memories woven together vividly portray feelings for a precious person you can never meet again.

Released in May 2017 as a track on the album “Country Road,” this piece gently embraces an unforgettable love with warm lyrics that blend in the local Shimane dialect.

Its softly resonant melody offers quiet comfort to those who want to hold their one-sided love close, and to those who can’t quite put an end to a past romance.

fireworks (launched into the sky)DAOKO × Yonezu Kenshi68rank/position

DAOKO × Kenshi Yonezu 'Uchiage Hanabi' MUSIC VIDEO

A song by female singer DAOKO, chosen as the theme for the film “Fireworks, Should We See It from the Side or the Bottom?”.

The track was produced by singer-songwriter Kenshi Yonezu, who later made a self-cover version on his own album that also became well-known.

Carried by a blend of piano, strings, and electronic elements, her clear, translucent vocals create an atmosphere that evokes a lively yet somehow wistful summer night sky—making it a perfect number to listen to at summer’s end.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Because you are hereUru69rank/position

[Official] Uru “Because You Are Here” — Theme Song for TBS Sunday Theater ‘Ship of Theseus’

This is a song by Uru that stands out for its warm hues woven by a touchable heart.

With a delicate singing voice, it portrays the light that the presence of a loved one brings into our lives.

The strength to overcome lonely nights together and the preciousness of those who give us hope for tomorrow are expressed through beautiful lyrics.

Written as the theme song for the TBS Sunday drama “Theseus no Fune” (Theseus’s Ship) and released digitally in February 2020, this piece is a ballad featuring Uru’s transparent vocals and profound lyrics that resonated with many listeners and earned Platinum certification.

When you want to express your gratitude to someone important, why not try singing it at karaoke?

for YOU。haji→70rank/position

Haj→ – for YOU.

Packed with heartfelt messages of love, this song is a powerful piece in which Hajime→ sings of gratitude and resolve toward the person he loves.

You can feel the small joys of everyday life and the importance of the time the two of them spend together.

Released in July 2013, this single became Hajime→’s first entry into the Oricon Top 10 and was also used as the CM song for Fuji Television Flower Center’s “Fuji TV Flower Net.” This work is recommended not only for couples but also for those who find it hard to put their feelings for someone special into words.

Its warm melody and lyrics are sure to give your feelings a gentle push.