Music analysis: How Japan’s Spotify charts reveal the biggest J-Pop trends
Are you interested in what kinds of songs are popular in Japan?
Here are some points you should check out when you look at the top 50 songs in Japan on Spotify.
They are one of the trendiest bands lately; anime theme songs and bands have been loved for many years, writes Music News Blitz’s Moe Ikeda.
Mrs. GREEN APPLE
Mrs. GREEN APPLE is the most important band to check for what music is popular in Japan.
Eight songs by Mrs. GREEN APPLE, the Japanese pop rock band, are ranked in the top 50 in Japan.
This band is one of the most popular bands in Japan right now. Their melodies are really catchy, and that is a good point for sharing them on social media as digital marketing.
The vocal skill of Motoki Ohmori (the voal) has been highly regarded. His phenomenal high notes and wide vocal range are among the reasons for this band’s popularity.
Anime tie-up Songs
‘AIZO’, ranked 39th, is King Gnu’s newest single.
This serves as the opening theme for the third season of Jujutsu Kaisen.
Their music can be said to be J-POP, but a variety of music genres is incorporated, such as rock, jazz, R&B, hip-hop, and classic.
You can enjoy many layers of rich sounds and a high level of creativity which is far from pop songs’ mass appeal.
Some of their songs are released as anime tie-up songs. Many people around the world likely first encounter their music through the anime, Jujutsu Kaisen.
By checking Japanese anime theme songs, you can follow trends of J-pop.
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Songs loved for many years
For many years, Arashi (嵐) and back numberhave been a loved idol group and a band.
Arashi (嵐)
Five, ranked 33rd, is Arashi’s final single before its hiatus.
Arashi is an idol group of five Japanese boys. The group debuted in 1999. Over the next two decades, Arashi became the most successful and influential group in Japan.
Everyone in Japan knows them. Each member has been active in various fields, including acting and working as a news presenter, hosting TV programmes, and as a radio presenter.
Japanese people grew up watching them on TV and listening to their songs.
On May 31 this year, Arashi brought down the curtain on their 26.5-year activities. Idol groups which were nationally popular, like Arashi, will likely never emerge again.
Three songs, ‘Love so sweet,’ ‘Happiness,’ and ‘One Love,’ are still in the top 50 chart in Japan even though they were released around 2008.
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Back number
Nine of back number’s songs are ranked in the top 50 in Japan! ‘Hanataba’ (meaning bouquet), released in 2011, is ranked third.
back number is a Japanese rock power trio formed in 2004. This band is famous for its love songs.
Their love songs’ lyrics and melodies capture what anyone can relate to - the bittersweetness of unrequited love, the happiness of daily life, and the pain of heartbreak.
What makes their songs unique is that they hardly use English in their lyrics. If you are interested in listening to Japanese lyrics, back number is the best band!
Surprisingly, all songs ranked in the top 50 in Japan were released before 2020.
Here is why the Japanese feel familiar with their songs. Many of their songs have been released as main theme songs of TV drama series, movies, and commercials.
Are you ready to listen to currently popular J-pop songs in Japan?
These are the points you should follow when you check the trends of J-pop. You can also check music charts on Spotify: Top 50 in Japan, Global Hits From Japan 2025, and Best Global Hits from Japan.
