Spotify Unveils the Top Japanese Music Rankings of Early 2025

On July 1, 2025, Spotify AB, headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, announced the music rankings that captivated Japan in the first half of 2025, drawing from its extensive user base of 678 million worldwide. This data covers the listening period from January 1 to June 30, 2025.

Dominance of Mrs. GREEN APPLE

Leading the way in the domestic music scene, Mrs. GREEN APPLE achieved a remarkable feat by securing the top positions in both the song and artist categories. The standout track of the first half was “Lilac,” which was released in April 2024 and continued to reign supreme, amassing over 180 million streams to date. Among the top ten most-streamed songs, six were from Mrs. GREEN APPLE, demonstrating their undeniable influence in the music landscape.

Following closely was Jimin's “Who,” released in July 2024 as part of his solo album “MUSE.” This song has maintained remarkable popularity and has charted well across various countries.

In seventh place, we have Sakanaction’s “Kaiju,” marking their return after a three-year hiatus. The song achieved the rare accolade of hitting number one on the Spotify Japan daily charts shortly after its release on February 20, 2025, with a stunning 575,713 streams registered on that day alone.

In the artist category, Mrs. GREEN APPLE continued their reign with an incredible record of maintaining the number one spot on the Spotify Japan Daily Artist rankings for an impressive 1,354 consecutive days. Back number and Vaundy also maintained their positions in the top three from the previous year's rankings. Additionally, Number_i, who debuted earlier this year, made an impressive entrance into the top five following their hit “GOAT,” which took first place at the MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN.

Highlights of International Streams

When examining the overseas streams of domestic tracks, Creepy Nuts’ “Otonoke” emerged as the most streamed song, capitalizing on its role as the opening theme for the popular anime “Dandadan.” Released in October 2024, it captured attention not only in Japan but also in the U.S., Mexico, Brazil, and Germany, with international streams exceeding 70%.

Other notable tracks included Fujii Kaze's “Shinu no ga Ii wa,” and a collaboration between LiSA and Stray Kids' Felix titled “ReawakeR.” The latter has become a global hit, with 90% of its streams coming from abroad.

Leading the pack of domestic artists in international streams is Ado, whose world tour has garnered massive attention both in Japan and globally. This marked a significant shift as Ado dethroned YOASOBI, which had held the top spot for the prior four years.

Spotify’s Annual Reflection

As the year progresses, Spotify continues to offer its users a unique experience through its end-of-year “Spotify Wrapped” feature, allowing listeners to reflect on their musical journey over the past year. Listeners can discover their most-streamed artists, songs, genres, and podcasts in an engaging format.

In conclusion, the music landscape in Japan for the first half of 2025 shows the immense talent resonating with global audiences while celebrating local favorites. With the data-driven insights from Spotify, it’s clear that listeners around the world are paying attention to Japan's dynamic music scene.

Top Rankings Summary

Most Streamed Songs in Japan

1. Lilac - Mrs. GREEN APPLE
2. Who - Jimin
3. Kesera Sera - Mrs. GREEN APPLE
4. Bitter Vacance - Mrs. GREEN APPLE
5. Darling - Mrs. GREEN APPLE
6. Aoi to Natsu - Mrs. GREEN APPLE
7. Kaiju - Sakanaction
8. GOD_i - Number_i
9. Soranji - Mrs. GREEN APPLE
10. APT. - ROSÉ, Bruno Mars

Most Streamed Artists in Japan

1. Mrs. GREEN APPLE
2. back number
3. Vaundy
4. Kenshi Yonezu
5. Number_i
6. RADWIMPS
7. Aimyon
8. Fujii Kaze
9. Yorushika
10. Official HIGE DANDism

Most Streamed Domestic Songs Internationally

1. Otonoke - Creepy Nuts
2. Shinu no ga Ii wa - Fujii Kaze
3. ReawakeR (feat. Felix of Stray Kids) - LiSA, Felix
4. Bling-Bang-Bang-Born - Creepy Nuts
5. Tokyo Drift - Teriyaki Boyz
6. Idol - YOASOBI
7. Night Dancer - imase
8. Yoru ni Kakeru - YOASOBI
9. Kick Back - Kenshi Yonezu
10. SPECIALZ - King Gnu

Most Streamed Domestic Artists Internationally

1. Ado
2. Atlas Sound Team
3. YOASOBI
4. Joe Hisaishi
5. XG
6. Fujii Kaze
7. Creepy Nuts
8. Hiroyuki Sawano
9. LiSA
10. ONE OK ROCK

Stay tuned for more updates on the evolving musical landscape, and enjoy the rich experiences Spotify has to offer.