A Collection of Hit Japanese Songs from the Late 1970s to 1980s
When we think of the late Showa era (the late 1970s to 1980s), it was a time when Japan had successfully achieved postwar recovery from World War II and was rapidly heading into the bubble economy—a period brimming with energy.
In music, too, it felt like an era when entirely new sounds and expressive techniques emerged in music production, thanks to the development and spread of synthesizers and sequencers, as well as advances in multitrack recorders.
Perhaps reflecting that backdrop, the charts were a dazzling free-for-all, with hit songs blooming in profusion across a vast range of genres—from enka to New Music.
Amid such fierce competition, many masterpieces have survived and continue to be enjoyed to this day.
I hope you’ll take pleasure in listening to them.
- Hit songs in Japan in the late 1960s
- Good songs recommended for people in their 50s: classic and popular J-pop tracks.
- Classic and hit songs by nostalgic Japanese idols from the 1970s
- Nostalgic Japanese hit songs from the 1960s. A collection of popular Showa-era classic melodies.
- Classic and hit Japanese pop songs from the nostalgic 1960s
- Cool songs from the Showa era. Masterpieces from Showa that shine with sensuality, passion, and rugged charm.
- Now’s the time to listen! Uplifting Showa-era songs that brightened Japan
- Popular Showa-era pop. Timeless hit songs.
- Dance music in Japanese (J-pop) that people in their 50s used to listen to. Nostalgic classic hits.
- Nostalgic yet fresh!? Classic masterpieces of Japanese rock from the 1970s and 1980s
- Heart-touching, tear-jerking masterpieces from the Showa era
- So nostalgic it feels new? Showa retro classics that colored Japan’s period of rapid economic growth
- [Nostalgic Hits] Smash Hits with the Showa Generation! Classic and Popular Songs Sung by Female Vocalists
[Showa 50s] Compilation of Japanese hit songs (21–30)
The Apple Murder CaseGō Hiromi, Kigeki Kirin
This was Hiromi Go’s 27th single, released in June 1978 (Showa 53).
It’s a collaborative track with Kirin Kiki, following their previous song “Obake no Rock.” Although the title includes the rather ominous phrase “murder case,” the song itself is very comical and, just by listening, I think it’s a classic that puts you in a great mood.
The collaboration between Hiromi Go and Kirin Kiki—two artists with arguably contrasting personas—creates a delightful mismatch.
Another timeless gem from the Showa era! Please enjoy it!
Imperial Regent Declarationsadamasashi
This is singer-songwriter Masashi Sada’s 14th single, released in July 1979 (Showa 54).
While the song itself has a somewhat comical, upbeat melody, its lyrics, which emphasize being a domineering husband, sparked controversy at the time, drawing criticism from women’s groups as “sexist” and “male chauvinist.” Perhaps that controversy helped boost its visibility, as it went on to become a massive hit, selling over 1.6 million copies.
However, if you listen closely to the very end, you can clearly see that it expresses deep affection for the woman who is about to become his wife.
It’s a classic of Showa-era folk, with an acoustic guitar–centered backing track and Sada’s distinctively high voice to enjoy.
In conclusion
So, how did you enjoy the many hit songs from the late 1970s that we've introduced so far? As I mentioned at the beginning of the article, this era produced an incredibly wide variety of hit songs, and there are still many we haven’t had the chance to cover yet. We’ll continue to enrich this article going forward, so please look forward to it.