[2026] Summary of Japanese Songs and J-POP Popular in the U.S.

idolYOASOBI

YOASOBI "Idol" Official Music Video

A historic track that became the first Japanese-language song ever to top Billboard’s Global Excl.

U.S.

chart.

Its lyrics, which depict the shine of a perfect idol and the lies and inner conflicts lurking behind it, were created by composer Ayase based on the novel “45510” written by the original author, Aka Akasaka.

Released in April 2023 as the opening theme for the TV anime Oshi no Ko, the song’s fusion of diverse genres and ikura’s chameleonic vocals has captivated audiences worldwide.

This killer tune also sent crowds into a frenzy during the 2024 U.S.

tour and at a Chicago festival.

It’s a pop number we can confidently recommend to anyone who wants to savor the hidden poignancy and storytelling beneath its bright, upbeat sound.

KICK BACKYonezu Kenshi

Kenshi Yonezu – KICKBACK

Kenshi Yonezu is a singer-songwriter whose boundary-defying, original musicality has drawn intense attention both in Japan and abroad.

His single “KICK BACK,” released in November 2022 as the opening theme for the TV anime Chainsaw Man, achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the first Japanese-language song to be certified Gold by the RIAA.

The sound—expressed through fierce beats and dizzying key changes—captures protagonist Denji’s urgent desires and inner conflicts, perfectly syncing with the anime’s depiction of a chaotic world.

It’s a rock tune with a powerful impact, ideal for blasting away a gloomy mood and recharging your energy.

F.L.YsupeKUTORAMU

SPECTRUM / F-L-Y (Music Video)

Spectrum is a legendary band that established Japanese brass rock with armor-like costumes and exceptional musicianship.

This track, also included on their album Spectrum 2: OPTICAL SUNRISE released in March 1980, experienced a worldwide revival hit nearly 45 years later after being used in an overseas social media video at the end of 2024.

The soaring falsetto and weighty horn tones alone can elevate your mood to its peak.

Its boundlessly uplifting, positive worldview feels perfect for moments when you want to blast away the tedium of everyday life.

It’s a funk number boasting supreme entertainment value that transcended eras to electrify American listeners as well.

Midnight Door ~ Stay With MeMatsubara Miki

"Midnight Door ~ Stay With Me" / Miki Matsubara Official Lyric Video

Riding the wave of the city pop revival, this piece has won love across borders.

Set to a sophisticated sound that colors the urban night, it portrays lingering feelings for a former lover and memories that flood in at unexpected moments, with Miki Matsubara’s emotionally rich vocals resonating poignantly yet pleasantly.

Released in November 1979 as her debut single, it’s included on the acclaimed album “POCKET PARK.” Around 2020, roughly forty years later, cover videos by overseas YouTubers spread on social media, sparking a global revival hit in places like the United States.

Even now, its fresh, groovy vibe adds a touch of color to a nighttime drive or a quiet evening spent alone.

Crimson Lotus FlowerLiSA

LiSA – Gurenge / THE FIRST TAKE

This is the 15th single by singer LiSA, who has established her standing as a “rock heroine” with overwhelming performance and expressiveness.

Released digitally in April 2019 as the opening theme for the TV anime Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, which took the world by storm, the song achieved the remarkable feat of simultaneously topping Oricon’s digital rankings as both the last No.

1 of the Heisei era and the first No.

1 of the Reiwa era.

Its lyrics, depicting a resolve to grow stronger for the sake of what must be protected while resisting fate despite being wounded, stirred the hearts of countless fans across borders.

Blending traditional Japanese melodies with a fierce rock sound, the track continues to be beloved by many anime fans in the United States as well.

It’s the perfect number to give you a push when you want to fire yourself up or before a showdown you can’t afford to lose.

I look up as I walkSakamoto Kyu

Sukiyaki

Beloved around the world under the title “Sukiyaki,” this classic has continued to transcend borders.

Sung by Kyu Sakamoto, a singer who also thrived as an actor and TV host, it was released as a single in October 1961.

In June 1963, it achieved the unparalleled feat for a Japanese artist of reaching No.

1 on the U.S.

Billboard chart.

The song was also featured in Studio Ghibli’s film “From Up on Poppy Hill,” helping its melody resonate with younger generations as well.

Its worldview—portraying someone holding back sorrow and lifting their face—continues to comfort hearts regardless of the era.

When you’re feeling a bit worn out, why not listen to this song and find a sense of hope for tomorrow?

I’d rather die.Fuji Kaze

Fujii Kaze – Shinunoga E-Wa (Not a MV)

An addictive track that brilliantly fuses emotionally evocative phrases reminiscent of Showa-era kayōkyoku with a modern trap beat.

It conveys an extreme form of love—the fierce obsession with the beloved, and the idea that one would rather choose their own end than lose that person—expressed through Fujii Kaze’s sultry vocals.

Although included on his first album, HELP EVER HURT NEVER, released in 2020, the song went explosively viral on social media around July 2022, about two years after its release, sparked by a boom in Thailand.

Its momentum was tremendous, dominating charts across multiple countries and even earning a performance slot on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

This passionate number, which set the world ablaze, is a must-listen for those consumed by all-too-intense love or anyone who wants to feel Japan’s unique groove that has been acclaimed overseas.