Today's Recommended J-POP: A Collection of Japanese Hit Songs You’ll Want to Listen to Today

Ho! SummerTakkī & Tsubasa

Tackey & Tsubasa – Ho! Summer 060804 MF

“Ho! Summer” is a single by Tackey & Tsubasa released in August 2006, which reached No.

2 on the Oricon charts.

It was used as the theme song for the TBS network television drama “Gakincho: Return Kids.”

Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen (PPAP)Pikotarō

PPAP (Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen Official) Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen / PIKOTARO (Pikotaro)

Thanks to being introduced by the world-famous Justin Bieber, a PPAP craze swept across the globe in no time.

Its immense popularity reportedly even surprised Piko-Taro himself.

Piko-Taro’s producer, Kosaka Daimaou, is also a comedian, and as a performer he may be seen on television more often in 2017.

Welcome to TOKYOSandaime Jē Sōru Burazāzu fromu Eguzairu Toraibu

Sandaime J SOUL BROTHERS from EXILE TRIBE / Welcome to TOKYO

It is the 20th single and the first one in a year and two months since the previous release, “Unfair World.” It served as the tie-in song for the Lawson campaign and the CM song for “2016 Autumn-Winter Samantha Tiara.” In the same year, their first documentary film, “Born in the EXILE: The Miracle of Sandaime J Soul Brothers,” was released in February.

Valentine KissKunikyo Sayuri

Valentine Kiss

When Valentine’s season comes around, you can always hear this song playing in the chocolate section of department stores.

It’s a delightful, exciting tune that feels like it’s cheering on girls in love.

When you’re getting Valentine’s chocolates ready, I think it’d be great to put this song on to lift your spirits.

HeroAmuro Namie

Hero – Namie Amuro (Full)

Their 45th single.

This work served as the NHK theme song for broadcasts of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics and Paralympics.

In addition to the original music video included with this release, an NHK version of the music video was also produced.

It was released only two months after the previous single, “Mint,” which was used as a TV drama theme song.

loveHoshino Gen

Gen Hoshino – Koi (Official Video)

The theme song of the drama “We Married as a Job” (Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu), in which she herself appears.

The ‘Koi Dance’ performed by the cast, including lead actress Yui Aragaki, during the final end credits became a hot topic.

Along with the drama, the song was a massive hit, sparking a Koi Dance boom.

It’s likely that many people danced the Koi Dance at year-end parties in 2016.

Things I like about youNishino Kana

Kana Nishino “The Things I Like About You” MV (Short Ver.)

It was their 58th single and the commercial song for Otsuka Foods’ “Vitamin Carbonated MATCH.” The music video featuring playing cards also became a hot topic.

The song was nominated for the 58th Japan Record Awards for the sixth consecutive year and won the grand prize for the first time.

That same year, she released “Dear Bride” and won her first grand prize at the 49th Japan Cable Radio Awards.