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[2025] Karaoke songs you’ll want to sing over New Year’s: Classic and popular Japanese hits

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and have been contributing to music magazines and web media for over 15 years. Although Western music is my main field, I always strive to stay curious with the motto, “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in a band, where I was a bassist responsible for songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve performed on include bass, guitar, and piano. I resumed piano lessons after turning 40 and have been continuing ever since!
Composer/arranger, guitarist, and bloggerAyumi Saito
I started playing guitar in elementary school, and in junior high and high school I played the horn in the concert band. In college I became engrossed in composing and began using DTM. These days, I provide songs to artists as a composer, run a blog under the name “Sakki,” and post music lesson videos on YouTube. My musical roots are in rock, but I also love dance music!

As we enter the latter half of December and the year-end approaches, opportunities to go to karaoke increase with year-end and New Year parties during the holiday break.

If you’re thinking, “Since it’s the end of the year, I want to sing karaoke songs that are perfect for ringing in the New Year,” this article introduces recommended Japanese songs for year-end karaoke.

We’ve put together a selection that includes beloved classics from the Showa era, recent masterpieces that capture the New Year’s mood, and even the latest songs performed on the quintessential New Year’s Eve program, the Kouhaku Uta Gassen.

Be sure to check it out!

[2025] Karaoke songs to sing on New Year’s Eve: Classic and popular Japanese hits (41–50)

BRAND NEW TOMORROWTRF

TRF / BRAND NEW TOMORROW

Released as a single in 1995, it reached number one on the Oricon Weekly Chart.

It’s a track that conveys TRF’s upbeat, distinctive party vibe, making it a perfect party tune for the year-end and New Year season.

The music video also shows the members enjoying a party.

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Brand New WorldDempagumi.inc

Tried playing Dempagumi.inc - Brand New World

A track from the 2015 album “WWDD.” It’s a dramatic number perfect for the New Year’s season.

The powerful lyrics are especially inspiring when sung by someone with goals or dreams they want to achieve.

A song you’ll want to sing while waving a light stick as you ring in the New Year.

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Spaceship on New Year’s EveShikao Suga

Shikao Suga – “Spaceship on New Year’s Eve” MUSIC VIDEO

The spaceship Suga Shikao on New Year’s Eve

This is a track from Suga Shikao’s album “THE LAST,” released in 2016 after a six-year hiatus.

When it comes to New Year’s Eve, the main event that gets everyone excited is the countdown.

Amid that excitement, this romantic New Year’s Eve song is about thinking of the special person by your side.

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Leave only loveMiyuki Nakajima

Leave Only Love – Miyuki Nakajima Cover by XXkurage

Leave only love - Miyuki Nakajima

Released in 2009 as the 41st single, this song showcases Miyuki Nakajima’s straightforward and powerful vocals that are truly overwhelming.

It’s a song that seems to encourage those in tough situations, and I think singing it will fill you with energy.

Please try singing it with all your might.

It was also used as the theme song for the film “Zero Focus.”

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To a new worldchoral piece

To a new world

Chorus Song for a New World

A refreshing choral piece packed with sweet-and-sour youth, hugely popular at choir competitions.

How about singing this song again at karaoke—the one you sang back in your teen years? The chorus even includes handclaps, and singing it is sure to lift your spirits and boost your motivation.

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A New WorldKana Uemura

Kana Uemura - New World

A New World - Kana Uemura

This song is included on the mini-album “Steps,” released in 2013.

It’s a refreshing medium-tempo ballad familiar from the Sakai Moving Center commercials.

The track is crafted as a positive song perfect for ringing in the New Year.

Sing it at karaoke, and you’ll likely welcome a wonderful new year with a refreshed mindset.

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Goodbye ElegyMasaki Suda

Masaki Suda “Sayonara Elegy”

Goodbye Elegy Masaki Suda

Masaki Suda made his first appearance at NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen in 2019.

To me, Masaki Suda is Philip from Kamen Rider W, so my impression was, “He’s really grown up.” At first I thought, “Here we go again, another actor singing,” but I remember being surprised by how cool he was and how good his singing was.

He’s an actor and artist we can expect great things from in both fields going forward.

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