Songs that have won the Japan Record Award throughout its history

The Japan Record Awards, cherished as a year-end staple in the music scene.

Launched in 1959, the award has annually honored the songs that drew the most attention that year.

Many of you are probably wondering, “What song will be chosen this year?” or thinking, “It’s got to be that one, right?”

In this article, we present all the past Grand Prize–winning songs at a glance.

Seeing the winners lined up like this lets you enjoy a wealth of masterpieces from Japan’s music history all at once.

Take this opportunity to revisit and listen to the timeless classics that have defined the domestic music scene.

Playlist

Songs that have won the Japan Record Award throughout its history
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	DESIRENakamori Akina		Akina Nakamori’s classic song passionately expresses romantic feelings.
2	TSUNAMISazan Ōrusutāzu		A signature song by Southern All Stars, a massive hit
3	Ruby RingTerao Akira		Akira Terao’s heartbreak song wins the Japan Record Award
4	SignMr.Children		Singing about the importance of everyday life in Mr.Children’s songs
5	HabitSEKAI NO OWARI		Award-winning songs by SEKAI NO OWARI
6	Que sera, seraMrs. GREEN APPLE		Mrs. GREEN APPLE’s refreshing and captivating songs
7	paprikaFoorin		A cheer song sung by Foorin becomes a social phenomenon
8	Winter, againGLAY		GLAY’s biggest hit: 1.65 million copies
9	Love will winKAN		KAN's hopeful masterpiece
10	North TavernHosokawa Takashi		A lively kayōkyoku song for which Takashi Hosokawa won awards two years in a row
11	CITRUSDa-iCE		Da-iCE's signature song wins the Japan Record Award
12	SynchronicityNogizaka 46		Nogizaka46's Japan Record Award-winning songs
13	flameLiSA		LiSA Achieves a Massive Hit with the Demon Slayer Movie Theme Song
14	flying getAKB48		Introduction to AKB48's award-winning songs
15	applausechiaki naomi		Chiaki Naomi’s signature song, where joy and sorrow intersect
16	VoyageHamasaki Ayumi		Ayumi Hamasaki’s life-theme ballad is a big hit
17	Do whatever the hell you want.sawada kenji		A signature song that portrays the pain of heartbreak and the melancholy of adulthood
18	Ti AmoEXILE		EXILE Award-Winning Ballad
19	R.Y.U.S.E.I.Sandaime Jē Sōru Burazāzu fromu Eguzairu Toraibu		Won the grand prize with an inspiring, cool song
20	From the northern innMiyako Harumi		Harumi Miyako’s enka smash hit
21	innocent worldMr.Children		Mr.Children Heisei 6 Grand Prize-winning song
22	White StraitŌtsuki Miyako		Miyako Otsuki receives an award as an enka singer
23	Paradise GalaxyHikaru GENJI		Hikaru GENJI’s smash hit song
24	Lonely Tropical FishWink		A song memorable for Wink’s “Daimajin” pose
25	Things I like about youNishino Kana		Write messages of affection on playing cards and give them as a gift
26	EnchantedJudi Ongu		An award-winning piece brimming with exotic atmosphere
27	One SwordHikawa Kiyoshi		Kiyoshi Hikawa Achieves Triple Crown at the Enka Awards
28	The Northern LandKitajima Saburō		Saburō Kitajima's award-winning enka song
29	CAN YOU CELEBRATE?Amuro Namie		Namie Amuro Virgin Road theme song
30	Just by you being herekome kome CLUB		Theme song of the drama that won the Grand Prize in Heisei 4 (1992)
31	Overnight Sensation ~The era is entrusted to you~TRF		trf's innovative unit composition
32	budKobukuro		Tokyo Tower theme song wins the grand prize
33	Odoru Pompoko RinB.B. Kuīnzu		Theme song of Chibi Maruko-chan
34	wanna Be A Dreammakerglobe		globe wins the 1998 Grand Prize
35	Mi AmoreNakamori Akina		A songstress who won the Record Award two years in a row
36	Nagaragawa ElegyItsuki Hiroshi		A smash-hit song inspired by the Nagara River
37	ButterflyKōda Kumi		Kumi Koda’s sexy dance is trending
38	Longing for RainYashiro Aki		“Minatomachi Zesshō” was a big hit—the queen of enka.
39	Love Song AnthologyHoriuchi Takao		A song composed by Takao Horiuchi that won the grand prize
40	The Scent of CyclamenFuse Akira		Akira Fuse’s million-selling song
41	Cape ErimoMori Shinichi		An enka song by Osami Okamoto and Takuro Yoshida
42	Until we meet againOzaki Kiyohiko		Kiyohiko Ozaki’s Vocal Prowess and the Japan Record Award
43	Silent SlopeKouzai Kaori		A pop kayō (Japanese popular song) set in Toyama
44	UFOpinku redii		UFO is an award-winning work that depicts a romance with an alien.
45	DearestHamasaki Ayumi		Ayumi Hamasaki Inuyasha ED Award-Winning Song
46	foolKondō Masahiko		A rare song released as a competitive collaboration