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

ActionNEW!AKATSUKI

[AKASAKI] Action / ACTION (Music Video)

Singer-songwriter AKASAKI, who weaves the unique restlessness and impulsiveness of adolescence into raw, authentic words, has garnered overwhelming support from her generation.

Her 20th single, “Action,” released in February 2026, became a major talking point even before its official drop, with the chorus racking up 10 million views during its early preview on social media.

The lyrics, which humorously portray the illicit thrills of puberty, paired with repetitive phrases and thick choral layers, give the track an addictive pull.

It’s an energetic dance tune that brings crowds together in live venues, further boosted by TikTok dance clips and festival performances that have drawn significant attention.

by all means; no matter what; at any costNEW!back number

back number – No Matter What, No Matter What [Lyric Video] (NHK Winter Sports Theme Song)

The rock band back number has long resonated with many listeners through their poignant lyrics and melodies.

Released via streaming in December 2025, this track was written as the theme song for NHK Winter Sports.

It also helped energize broadcasts related to the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.

The lyrics, which depict unwavering persistence and the determination to keep challenging oneself, really strike a chord.

They brim with kindness that seems to affirm not just the results, but also the struggles and gritty emotions along the way.

It’s a song we want not only athletes, but everyone striving toward a goal to hear.

It will rekindle the fire within you!

OLD meets NEWNEW!Da-iCE

Da-iCE /「OLD meets NEW」Music Video

Da-iCE is a five-member dance and vocal group that leads the music scene with solid skill and entertainment value.

Among the tracks on their album “TERMiNaL,” released in January 2026, this standout piece is an ambitious work created by the younger members, Sota Hanamura and Hayate Wada, who handled everything from songwriting to vocals.

Its groove, which exquisitely fuses past roots with contemporary trends, is sure to make listeners’ bodies sway naturally.

The performance in the music video, directed by filmmaker Mani Kato, is striking as well, and will give you courage when you want to meet a new version of yourself.

It’s a danceable pop number where nostalgia and freshness coexist.

Mirror, mirrorNEW!Saitō Kazuyoshi

Kazuyoshi Saito – Mirror, Mirror [Music Video]

Have you ever found yourself wanting to question the person reflected back at you when you catch a glimpse in the mirror? This is a powerful rock tune that carries the resolve to keep moving forward, trusting only in one’s own convictions despite doubts and anxieties.

Singer-songwriter Kazuyoshi Saito—known for songs like “Utautai no Ballad”—wrote it as the theme song for the TV Asahi drama “Okome no Onna: National Tax Agency Document Investigation Division, Miscellaneous Nations Office,” which began airing in January 2026.

Its lyrics, which teach the importance of not betraying yourself in an era where right and wrong waver, are deeply in sync with the drama’s worldview and are sure to encourage listeners every time they hear it.

With warm vocals and guitar tones that resonate in the heart, it’s a song you’ll want people to hear precisely when they’re troubled and on the verge of stopping in their tracks.

I don’t need it.Sakanakushon

I don't need it.

The driving beat that makes your body move before you know it and the piercing power of the words leave a strong impression.

Sakanaction, a band that has won support with their unique sound fusing rock and club music.

Released for streaming in February 2026, this work was written as the theme song for the drama “Kochira Yobi Jieiei Hero?!” While depicting complex emotions where rejection and obsession intermingle, it turns into an uplifting dance tune that’s quintessentially them.

How about adding it to your late-night driving BGM or to a playlist for nights when you want to lose yourself in music alone?