Wonderful entertainment/performances

[2025] Liven Up Your Party! A Roundup of the Newest J‑Pop Hits and All-Time Crowd Favorites

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!
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICSasashina
Deputy Editor of the web media RAG MUSIC. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. In my student days, I studied broadly at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, covering sound, lighting, and video technology, and acquired skills from comprehensive stage production to the fundamentals of creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, and have consistently built my career on the production side, taking on diverse tasks centered around music. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting in my own way, as well as insights and discoveries from interacting with my kids every day. I hope I can be of help to you, even just a little!

Music is essential for livening up year-end parties, New Year’s gatherings, welcome and farewell parties, and other banquets.

If you’re the organizer or in charge of entertainment, you’ll want to pick songs that get everyone excited.

Still, it can be hard to know which tracks will really hype up the crowd.

For those in that situation, this article introduces recommended Japanese songs perfect as BGM to energize any banquet.

Focusing on the latest trend-aware hits while also picking timeless favorites, it offers a lineup that people of all generations can enjoy, making it suitable for a wide variety of events.

Be sure to check it out!

[2025] Liven Up Your Banquet! A Roundup of the Newest J-Pop Hits and All-Time Favorites (71–80)

paprikaFoorin

[Paprika] Dance Music Video | Foorin × Kenshi Yonezu | NHK

Paprika Foorin

This is the song chosen as NHK’s support theme for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

It has also established itself as a piece of dance music.

As a signature track of the first year of the Reiwa era, almost everyone knows it.

Its upbeat vibe makes it great for dancing as a year-end party act or using as background music for entertainment.

If you have kids, dancing together with them will surely liven things up.

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First of all, starting todaycoarse sugar

Drama “Talentless Hawk (Muno no Taka)” Theme Song “Starting Today, For Now” by Zarame [Kanji/Romaji/English Lyrics]

First, starting today, zarame.

A heartwarming song themed around self-affirmation and moving forward has been born.

Zarame’s distinctive vocals resonate deeply with listeners.

The track celebrates cherishing your true self and the beauty of taking one step at a time.

Released on November 8, 2024, it was selected as the theme song for the TV Asahi drama “The Incompetent Hawk.” As Zarame’s first drama theme song, this work is likely to bring her talent to an even wider audience.

It’s a perfect song for anyone looking to face themselves and take a new step forward.

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heavy rotationAKB48

[MV full] Heavy Rotation / AKB48 [Official]

Heavy Rotation AKB48

This song, which expresses passionate love through a pop sound, is one of the most striking tracks in AKB48’s discography.

Released in August 2010, it features lyrics by Yasushi Akimoto and composition by Yo Yamazaki, with Yuko Oshima as the center.

The music video, directed by Mika Ninagawa, left a strong impression with the members’ sexy visuals.

It’s perfect for parties and year-end gatherings where you want to get a crowd excited.

It’s great for karaoke, and the simple choreography makes it fun to dance to as well.

If everyone sings and dances together, the atmosphere is sure to heat up in no time.

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[2025] Get the Party Going! A Roundup of the Newest J-Pop Hits and All-Time Favorites (81–90)

New EraAdo (Uta from ONE PIECE FILM RED)

[Ado] New Genesis (Uta from ONE PIECE FILM RED)

New Genesis Ado (Uta from ONE PIECE FILM RED)

“New Genesis” has become a masterpiece that once again showcases Ado’s exceptional vocal prowess.

Its catchy, lingering melody and the driving, ’80s-tinged synth sound make it unmistakably a Yasutaka Nakata composition.

I’ve heard it was created in response to a request for “a powerful song symbolizing the birth of a new songstress,” and you can really feel the strong message of freedom and liberation.

That’s exactly why you should sing it boldly and powerfully! As the New Year approaches, give it a try with a sense of excitement.

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MainstreamBE:FIRST

BE:FIRST / Mainstream -Music Video-

MainstreamBE:FIRST

BE:FIRST is a boy group formed from seven members selected through the boy group discovery audition “THE FIRST.” Their 4th single, “Mainstream,” made waves by debuting at No.

1 on the Japan Hot 100.

The sharp rap laid over a minimal, tight hip-hop beat has an impact that grabs your attention even in the middle of a party.

It’s a stylish hip-hop tune with a groovy feel that makes you want to move your body.

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Shangri-LaChatmonchy

Chatmonchy “Shangri-La” Music Video

Shangri-La Chatmonchy

This song stands out with its light, catchy guitar riff and distinctive vocals.

Starting from the familiar mishap of dropping a mobile phone, it sings about the importance of human connections.

Released in November 2006, it was also used as the ending theme for the Fuji TV anime “Hataraki Man.” It became Chatmonchy’s first single to break into the top 10 of the Oricon singles chart—a milestone track.

The piece expresses a longing for a utopia and the richness of the heart that doesn’t rely on material things, making it perfect for livening up year-end or New Year parties.

If everyone holds hands and sings together, you’re sure to feel a strong sense of unity.

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ConnectClariS

Connect / ClariS (Cover)

Connect ClariS

This is the song used for the opening of the anime Puella Magi Madoka Magica.

Despite being a magical-girl anime, it conveys not only dreams and hope but also a sense of despair, so the more emotion you put into singing it, the more enjoyable the chorus becomes, I think.

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