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10 Rising J-Pop Stars Who Are in the Spotlight, Ready to Compete with K-Pop Idols

10 Rising J-Pop Stars Who Are in the Spotlight, Ready to Compete with K-Pop Idols

J-Music

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10 Rising J-Pop Stars Who Are in the Spotlight, Ready to Compete with K-Pop Idols

A new wave of J-pop has been gaining attention in recent years. Digital distribution has made Japanese music more accessible to global listeners. Competition is becoming more intense with the emergence of many new groups that immediately pique public interest.

Names like SixTONES, XG, and Number_i showcase the strength of the latest generation of Japanese music. These ten groups are the brightest J-pop stars of the current era and you must check out their songs.

Read more news about Japanese music at Liputan6.com.

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SixTONES first became known through the drama SHIRITSU BAKALEYA KOUKOU. They debuted in 2020 alongside SNOW MAN. Their debut song, Imitation Rain, sold over a million copies. Now they are on tour in five major cities in Japan.

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JO1 was born from the PRODUCE 101 JAPAN competition. They debuted in 2020 with the EP PROTOSTAR. Their releases often top the Oricon and Billboard Japan charts. This year, they are holding their first global tour and Tokyo Dome will be the venue for the finale.

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NiziU was formed through the Nizi Project. They went viral with their pre-debut EP, Make You Happy. Their music has evolved to be more mature since the RISE UP era. NiziU became the first non-Korean group to bring home a trophy from a Korean music awards show.

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BE:FIRST originates from the project The First. Consisting of 7 members, they debuted in 2021 with the song Gifted. They have also collaborated with ATEEZ and were the opening act for ATEEZ's concert in Los Angeles. BE:FIRST just completed their first international tour on July 5, 2025.

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INI emerged from PRODUCE 101 JAPAN season two. They debuted with the EP A in 2021. Songs like Rocketeer showcase the group's energetic style. INI is one of only two J-pop groups that have managed to sell one million copies through their sixth EP, THE FRAME.

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NANIWA DANSHI consists of 7 members and is known for their bright music and energetic choreography. They debuted with the song Ubu Love in 2021. All members are from Kansai. The group continues to dominate popularity rankings every time they release new work.

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XG presents a style with the concept of X-pop, a genre they created to transcend conventional boundaries. Their music blends hip-hop and R&B. They debuted in 2022 with Tippy Toes and are known for their fashionable style and strong statements characteristic of Japanese culture.

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FRUITS ZIPPER was born from Harajuku culture. Comprising 7 members, they debuted in 2022 and went viral with the song Watashi no Ichiban Kawaii Tokoro. The group won Best New Artist at the Japan Record Awards 2023. They opened 2025 by releasing three consecutive singles.

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Number_i was formed by Sho Hirano, Yuta Jinguji, and Yuta Kishi. They debuted with the song GOAT, which immediately succeeded on the Japanese music charts. The charisma of this trio is clearly evident in the MVs BON and GOD_i. They also performed on the 88rising stage at Coachella in 2024.

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ME:I comes from PRODUCE 101 JAPAN season three. They debuted with the song Click which has an energetic vibe to bring something new to the industry. The group quickly gained attention and won Best New Artist at the Japan Record Awards 2024. Their latest work, WHO I AM was released in August 2025.