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

Partneryuka91rank/position

Yuka “Partner” Music Video

Yuka is a singer-songwriter who studied piano and vocal music from a young age and conducted music therapy at kindergartens and senior care facilities during her university years.

Her seventh indie release, the digital-only single “Partner,” became a hit tune, surpassing 300 million total plays on social media just one month after its release.

The lyrics, which sing of straightforward affection, are perfect for conveying messages that are usually hard to say.

However, because the melody is challenging—with fast phrases over a bouncy shuffle beat—be sure to listen closely to the ensemble when singing it at karaoke.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Bunny GirlAKASAKI92rank/position

[AKASAKI] Bunny Girl (Lyric Video)

AKASAKI’s hit song “Bunny Girl,” which went viral nationwide.

The vocal range in this track is from mid1 C to mid2 G, which is quite narrow for recent Japanese pop.

There’s a key change in the final chorus, but even so, the overall pitch movement is minimal, making it exceptionally easy to sing.

The vocal line also has gentle rises and falls, so it’s recommended for people who want to get the crowd going even if they’re not very confident in their singing.

If you want to sound more polished, try incorporating overtone techniques to add richness to the low–mid range.

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Ryo

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Matryoshkahachi93rank/position

Hachi MV “Matryoshka” HACHI / MATRYOSHKA

Kenshi Yonezu, now a leading singer-songwriter in the J-POP scene, created “Matryoshka” in 2010 under his Vocaloid producer name, Hachi—a work that had a tremendous impact on the Vocaloid scene at the time.

Set to a thrilling band performance that keeps you on edge with its unpredictable development, the song unfolds with philosophical messages.

Countless “sang it” and “danced it” videos have been made, and many in their twenties may feel a sense of nostalgia.

Harnessing Hatsune Miku’s flexible, expressive voice, its mechanical sound discovered new possibilities for music.

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mutō

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It’s nothing.makaroni enpitsu94rank/position

Macaroni Empitsu “It’s Nothing,” MV

“Nandemonai yo” is a perfect song for wedding BGM.

Its lyrics remind us that the true, irreplaceable happiness lies in the ordinary moments shared with the one you love.

Included on Macaroni Empitsu’s major-label first album, “Happy End e no Kitai wa,” released in January 2022, the song quickly climbed to high positions on various charts right after its release.

It has also been featured in films and on television, earning support from a wide audience.

It’s a recommended wedding song that matches the feelings of newlyweds who want to walk forward while connecting heart to heart, carrying pure affection for their partner.

EXCITEMiura Daichi95rank/position

Daichi Miura / EXCITE -Music Video- from “BEST” (On Sale 2018/3/7) (short ver.)

This is one of Daichi Miura’s signature songs.

It’s a fast-tempo track that became a hot topic in 2017 as a dance number.

Just like the title suggests, the part where the tempo speeds up as the song progresses is the highlight.

It’s the kind of song that makes you want to start dancing just by listening.