[2026] Must-listen! This Year's Best Japanese Hit Songs

UnderdogEVE

Underdog – Eve Music Video

This track captures a heart wavering between the fiction and reality of the social media era, carried by razor-sharp synths and tight beats.

It’s a single released in November 2025 by Eve, a singer-songwriter who commands massive support from the online scene.

Delving deep into his own inner world, the song delivers a message to everyone living today: when you’re struggling to accept yourself, you don’t have to force yourself to be strong.

Playful touches—like a hidden nod to the timbre of his signature song “Dramaturgy” in the intro—add to its charm.

Be sure to check out the high-quality animated music video as well!

obsessive loveWEST.

WEST. – Aishū [Official Music Video]

WEST., a seven-member group that captivates fans with their uniquely Kansai-born brightness and fiery performances.

Released as a digital single in January 2026, this track was created as the theme song for the TV Asahi drama “Zenbu, Anata no Tame Dakara,” starring member Ryusei Fujii.

From the intro, its bewitching atmosphere and the thrilling lyrical world where love turns into obsession seize the listener’s heart.

A mature, irresistibly sultry strong love song.

My respectNogizaka 46

My respect

Released as the lead track from their fifth album “My respect,” which came out in January 2026, this work ambitiously encapsulates the group’s journey and current place through the word “respect.” The melody by Kazuma Kawata and others is refined yet conveys a strong sense of determination.

It’s a moving number perfectly suited to the dawn of a new era, one that resonates as we witness them embrace their history while stepping into the future.

Stay with meTele

Tele | I Am There – Music Video

Released digitally in November 2025, this work by singer-songwriter Tele is built around a live-instrument band ensemble and a gentle vocal line.

The lyrics portray the idea that the small moments spent on a street corner after the last train, and the accumulation of silly conversations, are what shape the two people’s world—highlighting the sense of happiness found in everyday fragments.

It’s a track that quietly stays by your side when you want to savor those modest moments with someone special.

Sensation SeasonSuda Masaki

Masaki Suda “Sensation Season”

Masaki Suda is an artist who has secured a solid position as an actor while continuously expressing his unique sensibility through music.

The lead track “Sensation Season” from his concept EP “SENSATION CIRCLE,” released in January 2026, is striking for its fast-paced, emotional band sound.

The lyrics, which weave thoughts for a loved one alongside images of falling snow, reveal different shades with each listen and resonate deep within the heart.

It’s a song where strength and warmth coexist—one you’ll want to hear when you’re worn out by hectic days or when you want to reconnect with your own feelings.