[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 (111–120)
CharadeSuperfly
A gem of a suite-like number that contrasts emotion and essence.
Released by Superfly in August 2024, this song serves as the theme for the NTV drama “Maruhi no Mitsuko-san.” The vocals, combining strength and delicacy, make the work’s worldview all the more compelling.
By depicting the divide between surface and interior, it expresses the complexity of human relationships.
Highlights include the striking first half with its piano-and-strings pairing and the chorus’s tight rhythmic contrast.
When you find yourself at a crossroads in life, listening to this track may give you the courage to face yourself.
[2026] Summary of Popular Japanese Songs Recently Played on the Radio (121–130)
First of all, starting todayzarame
A heartwarming song themed around self-affirmation and moving forward has been born.
Zarame’s distinctive vocals resonate deeply with listeners.
The track celebrates cherishing your true self and the beauty of taking one step at a time.
Released on November 8, 2024, it was selected as the theme song for the TV Asahi drama “The Incompetent Hawk.” As Zarame’s first drama theme song, this work is likely to bring her talent to an even wider audience.
It’s a perfect song for anyone looking to face themselves and take a new step forward.
Give my regards to Joan of Arc.Sazan Ōrusutāzu
A fiery rock number from Southern All Stars.
With its intense guitar sound and powerful rhythm, it captures the ferocity and challenges of the sports world.
Keisuke Kuwata’s distinctive lyrics combine with an energetic sound to create a track that truly stirs the soul.
Released digitally in September 2024, it was written as the theme song for TBS Sports 2024 and was also used in broadcasts of the Paris Olympics.
Perfect not only for watching sports but also for those moments when you want to fire yourself up.
It’s a song that gives you the courage to face adversity!
First KO victoryshiina ringo to nocchi
A long-awaited collaboration between Ringo Sheena and Nocchi from Perfume has come true! It’s a funk-rock track included on Ringo Sheena’s album Houjoue, released in May 2024.
The powerful lyrics, themed around challenge and self-transformation, leave a strong impression.
It conveys the brilliance of living to the fullest without fearing failure.
With its dynamic, energetic sound and the two artists’ personalities blending seamlessly, it’s a one-of-a-kind song.
It made its full-size TV debut on the music show CDTV Live! Live!, generating plenty of buzz.
Perfect for when you want to take on something new—a piece that gives you courage and energy.
DIGNITYAdo
Ado, a singer who got her start as a “utaite,” drew attention as a new-generation songstress when her major debut track “Usseewa” became a massive hit and a social phenomenon.
Her 19th digital-only single, “DIGNITY,” written as the theme song for the film The Silent Service, also made waves for being provided by B’z.
The lyrics, which lament futile conflict, resonate with the film’s storyline and provoke reflection.
It’s a beautiful rock ballad whose sweeping arrangement and the contrast of its rock ensemble are moving to the core.
cinemaaiko
Aiko’s song is a powerful work that depicts life’s loneliness, love, and hope for the future.
The lyrics unfold like a film, brilliantly expressing the emotional ups and downs that lurk in everyday life.
Released in January 2025, the track also drew attention as the theme song for the drama “Ensemble.” It’s included on Aiko’s 16th album, “Zanshin Zansho,” and has become a hot topic among fans.
With lyrics that resonate and a familiar, approachable melody, I think it’s a song that gently embraces those struggling with love and life.
OAW!yunikōn
Unicorn is a five-member rock band in which all members serve as vocalists and composers, and they have remained highly active since their 2009 reunion.
“OAW!,” a track from their 17th album Crossroad, is irresistibly catchy with playful arrangements layered over a thick, driving rock sound.
The lyrics feel like they’re reveling fully in the present rather than chasing an unknown tomorrow, syncing with the song’s atmosphere and sure to lift your spirits just by listening.
It’s a powerful rock tune, marked by an ensemble that recalls the sound of their comeback era.