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

My cutest partFRUITS ZIPPER61rank/position

[MV] FRUITS ZIPPER - My Cutest Part

This song by FRUITS ZIPPER is characterized by lyrics that boost self-esteem and a bright, upbeat melody.

It conveys the importance of recognizing and valuing your own charm.

Released as a digital single in April 2022, it became a huge hit on TikTok.

The number of plays has surpassed 900 million, capturing the hearts of many.

It’s perfect for people in their 20s, and is recommended for times when you want to reflect on yourself or get an energy boost.

It also sounds like a lot of fun to sing along with friends and get hyped together.

March 9Remioromen62rank/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.

StoryAI63rank/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.

To all my ex-girlfriendsKoresawa64rank/position

Koresawa - To All My Ex-Girlfriends [Lyric Video]

Koresawa, who enjoys overwhelming popularity especially among younger generations, is a singer-songwriter from Osaka known for basically not showing her face and appearing as “Reko-chan,” a bear girl, in MVs.

Her songs—sung with outstanding melodic sense and lyrics that skillfully, and at times candidly, express women’s true feelings—are also hugely popular at karaoke.

The track we’re introducing this time, the impressively titled “To All My Ex-Girlfriends,” is a digital single released in 2024 and a hit distinguished by its MV set in a karaoke box.

Its country-flavored, upbeat sound, lyrics that keep slightly hard-to-say emotions bright, and catchy melody all showcase her impeccable taste.

While the overall pitch sits a bit on the higher side, the melodic line is easy to sing, and those with lower voices can handle it just fine by adjusting the key.

Be mindful of the bouncy rhythm, and make sure to bring out the contrast between smoothly connected sections and crisply articulated parts!

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

KOH-1

Report a problem

fireworks (launched into the sky)DAOKO × Yonezu Kenshi65rank/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.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Hoshino Takashi

Report a problem

somedaySaucy Dog66rank/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.

Because you are hereUru67rank/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?

HarukaYOASOBI68rank/position

YOASOBI 'Haruka' Official Music Video

YOASOBI is a musical duo that captivates audiences around the world with the unique concept of “turning novels into music.” Their masterpiece Haruka, whose lyrics portray the growth and farewell of a girl from the perspective of a mug, resonates perfectly with the milestone of graduation.

Its message of unconditional love and gratitude connects with the feelings we have for the teachers and friends we’ve spent time with.

Based on The Moon Prince, an original short story by broadcast writer Osamu Suzuki, the song was released in 2020.

It was also featured in the Art Aquarium Exhibition 2021 and in a commercial for Punitto Runes, becoming a long-running hit with over 400 million streams.

Listening to it while wishing happiness for those dear to you who are setting off on their own paths gives you the courage to face forward amid the loneliness—a perfect number for graduation season.

for YOU。haji→69rank/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.

A Bouquet for YouUtada Hikaru70rank/position

Hikaru Utada – A Bouquet for You

This is “Hanataba o Kimi ni” released by Hikaru Utada, a highly skilled singer-songwriter beloved by a wide range of age groups.

Many people know it as the theme song for the NHK morning drama series Toto Nee-chan.

It conveys feelings of gratitude and love that are hard to express straightforwardly in everyday life.

It’s perfect not only for girls’ gatherings but also for farewell parties!

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Yoimachi Jēn

Report a problem