[2026] A roundup of popular Japanese songs currently playing on the radio
Do you usually listen to the radio?
Maybe you hear it as in-store background music, or if you drive for work you might have the car stereo on, and these days you can even listen on smartphone apps.
It may be the age of the internet, but I think radio is still very much a part of our daily lives.
This time, we’re introducing popular Japanese songs that have been getting airplay on recent radio shows!
If you want to check the latest trends or find out which tracks are on power play, this is for you!
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[2026] Summary of Popular Japanese Songs Recently Played on the Radio (91–100)
nomineeCYNHN
CYNHN’s new song is a work infused with hope and anticipation for the future.
The title, which means “the recommended one,” reflects their desire to be recognized in the music scene.
You can feel their ambitious stance in the inversion of their blue-themed worldview and their challenge to the contemporary music landscape.
Digitally released on January 1, 2025, the track is a lead single from the album “INVERSIOИ.” It’s a recommended listen for those who want to discover a new side of CYNHN or connect with its down-to-earth lyrics.
HyperKroi
A track pre-released from the first single that the genre-blending band Kroi put out in 2023.
Chosen as the opening theme for the anime UNDER NINJA, it crafts a world that truly evokes ninjas.
The heavy, underground-sounding intro leaves a strong impression, and once you’re through it, a light, alluring band sound bursts forth.
The vocals, reminiscent of sing-rap, add to the rhythmic drive—your body can’t help but sway! With clever touches like brass parts and mid-to-late call-and-response sections, it’s a fun and stylish song with inventive development throughout.
[2026] Summary of Popular Japanese Songs Recently Played on the Radio (101–110)
ReawakeRLiSA
A collaboration between LiSA and Stray Kids’ Felix.
It brilliantly captures the world of the anime “Solo Leveling.” The track fuses powerful rock with electronic elements, gripping listeners and never letting go.
Selected as the opening theme for the anime airing from January 2025, with a CD single release in March.
Recommended not only for anime fans but also for anyone who loves energetic music.
It’s sure to be a song you’ll want to play again and again.
YOU GOTTA RUNL’Arc〜en〜Ciel
A heart-stirring track has arrived! This new song by L’Arc~en~Ciel is an up-tempo rock number themed around challenge and self-transcendence.
Its musicality fuses a catchy melody with a hard-edged sound that will set listeners’ hearts racing.
It’s also used as the opening theme for the anime BEYBLADE X, and its lyrics—mirroring the protagonists’ growth—are sure to encourage children’s dreams and hopes.
Scheduled for release in January 2025, this song delivers a powerful message that will push people forward as they face new challenges.
DarlingMrs. GREEN APPLE
Mrs.
GREEN APPLE’s latest work is a song that powerfully portrays the struggles of youth.
It sings about the journey to find your true self and resonates deeply with listeners.
Written as the theme song for NHK General’s special program “Mrs.
GREEN APPLE 18 Festival,” it was released digitally in January 2025.
The performance, featuring a collaboration with as many as 1,000 18-year-olds, generated major buzz.
It’s a track we especially recommend to those in the midst of self-discovery or feeling crushed by others’ expectations—you’re sure to find courage in it!
Say I doTravis Japan
Travis Japan has delivered a love song that gently and warmly portrays the beginning of pure romance.
Inspired by wedding vows, this heartwarming ballad is imbued with innocent feelings of love and a pledge of eternal devotion.
The members’ harmonies blend beautifully with the piano melody, resulting in a piece that deeply resonates with listeners.
It will be featured as the title track of a double A-side single set for release on March 5, 2025, and has also been selected as the theme song for TV Asahi’s Oshi Dora Saturday series “Honnou Switch.” The passionate, straightforward lyrics about love perfectly match the drama’s worldview.
It’s a recommended song for those in love, especially when you want to sincerely express your feelings to someone special.
radioaiko
Singer-songwriter aiko, whose lyrics delicately portray women’s inner emotions, continues to captivate listeners of all genders.
Her digital-only single “Radio,” released on November 3, 2023, conveys the love of someone who has been a heavy radio listener since her student days.
The lyrics, depicting a precious presence that supported her through anxious nights, will likely prompt many to recall their own sources of support and empathize.
With only vocals and piano, the ensemble resonates deeply—an emotional number that shakes the heart.
