[Hit Songs] A Special Feature on Japanese Karaoke Tracks Recommended for Business Entertaining

Romantic FlightKome Kome Club

Kome Kome Club “Roman Hikō” [SHARISHARISM ACE -THE 8TH OF ACE-]

The nine-member band Kome Kome Club, known for their overwhelming stage performances that never bore the audience and their high-quality songs with undeniable pop appeal, continued to captivate fans with their 10th single.

The track was used as the commercial song for JAL’s Okinawa travel “JAL STORY Summer Rikyu Campaign,” and its refreshing arrangement—clearly aimed at an airline commercial—feels great, doesn’t it? It’s a song that pretty much anyone in their 40s would have listened to in real time, making it a perfect choice for karaoke in business-entertainment settings.

Plus, since the melody sits in a generally low key, it’s an easy pop tune to sing even for those who aren’t very confident at karaoke.

My Dear EllieSouthern All Stars

Southern All Stars – Itoshi no Ellie [Live at Southern All Stars Kickoff Live 2018 “A Slightly Naughty La-La Old Man”, 2018]

This is the third single by Southern All Stars, a five-piece rock band that has continued to win a wide range of listeners since their debut as a quintessential “sea-suited” band.

Chosen as the theme song for the TV drama Fuzoroi no Ringo-tachi (Uneven Apples), this emotional ballad—quite a departure from the band’s previously cheerful image—showcased their talent and musical breadth to the public.

As an early track, it’s sure to delight anyone in their 40s who likely heard it in real time if you sing it together at karaoke.

It’s a song that reminds us true classics never fade with time, and one that younger generations should hear as well.

LOVE MachineMorning Musume

Morning Musume. 'LOVE Machine' (MV)

This is the seventh single by Morning Musume, an idol group formed by five contestants selected from those who failed the audition project on the variety show “ASAYAN.” The group continues to be highly active today, with members changing over time.

The song was used as the opening theme for the variety show “Find the Idol!” and is famous for greatly boosting Morning Musume’s name recognition.

With easy-to-copy choreography and an arrangement that invites call-and-response, it’s no wonder it’s considered a karaoke staple.

It’s a classic that will go down in idol history—perfect to have ready for karaoke with people in their 40s who likely felt its impact in real time.

I want to hug you.Mr.Children

Mr.Children “I Want to Hold You” MUSIC VIDEO

Known by the abbreviation “MisuChiru,” Mr.

Children is a four-piece rock band that has become such a monster act in Japan that virtually everyone knows their name.

This is their second single.

Although it was released before their fourth single, “CROSS ROAD,” which sparked their breakthrough, it remains one of Mr.

Children’s signature songs to this day.

The lyrics were written around the concept of a “positive love song,” which was rare for Mr.

Children at the time, and those in their 40s who likely heard it in real time may find themselves absorbed by it.

With lyrics that invite emotional connection and an easy-to-sing melody, it’s also a recommended number for business karaoke.

fireworksaiko

aiko - “Hanabi” music video

A singer-songwriter known for lyrics that capture the delicate nuances of women’s emotions and for irresistibly catchy melodies, aiko earned widespread popularity with this, her third major-label single.

The track gained multiple tie-ins, including serving as the ending theme for the debate variety show “Geki Maji!! — Teen no Honne,” and it’s famous for bringing aiko’s name to a broad audience.

Its poppy, cute arrangement evokes nostalgia for listeners in their 40s while still hyping up any karaoke session.

With its complex melody and brisk tempo, it’s a challenging yet fun pop tune to tackle at karaoke.

Stars on EarthMiyuki Nakajima

Stars on the Ground / Miyuki Nakajima [Official]

This is the 37th single by singer-songwriter Miyuki Nakajima, who holds the unprecedented record of having reached number one on the singles chart across four generations—the 1970s through the 2000s.

Chosen as the theme song for the documentary series “Project X: Challengers,” the track features a powerful yet subtly poignant vocal that truly resonates.

The key is suitable not only for women but also for higher-voiced men, making it an easy pick even in business-entertainment settings.

Since it’s a song from 2000, it will naturally appeal to people in their 40s—the generation of the era—as well as to older audiences when you go to karaoke together.

Fortune Cookie in LoveAKB48

[MV full] Koi Suru Fortune Cookie / AKB48 [Official]

This is the 32nd major single by AKB48, the girl group that virtually everyone knows as a flagship idol group in the J-POP scene since the 2000s.

With numerous tie-ins and a catchy dance that many listeners copied, it became one of AKB48’s signature songs.

Its arrangement, which evokes disco sounds from around the 1980s, is likely to resonate with people in their 40s despite being a relatively recent track.

It’s a dance tune that’s popular across generations and perfect for singing and dancing together at karaoke.