Billboard Japan announces winners from first half of 2026 – tokyohive
Billboard Japan recently released the first-half 2026 chart winners, with popular artists like Kenshi Yonezu, BTS, and Mrs. GREEN APPLE dominating the rankings.
Kenshi Yonezu’s track “IRIS OUT” took the lead on the ‘Billboard JAPAN Hot 100’ song chart. This song, featured as the theme for ‘Chainsaw Man The Movie: Reze Arc,’ saw exceptional success, hitting 100 million streams in just four weeks and reaching No. 5 on the ‘U.S. Billboard Global 200,’ a groundbreaking achievement for a Japanese-language song. Yonezu secured a total of 11 chart titles in the first half of the year.
Following Yonezu, M!LK’s “Sukisugite Metsu!” claimed the second spot, while Mrs. GREEN APPLE’s “lulu.” landed in third place. The top five were completed by King Gnu’s “AIZO” and HANA’s “Blue Jeans.”
Switching to the ‘Billboard JAPAN Hot Albums’ chart, BTS stood out at No. 1 with their fifth album “ARIRANG.” This marked a triumphant return for the group after nearly four years since their last release. HANA’s debut self-titled album held the second position, with albums from King & Prince, Number_i, and RADWIMPS following closely behind.
On the ‘Billboard JAPAN Artist 100’ chart, Mrs. GREEN APPLE maintained their lead for the third consecutive year, with HANA, back number, Yonezu, and M!LK trailing behind.
Additionally, Yonezu’s “IRIS OUT” grabbed the top position on the ‘Global Japan Songs Excl. Japan’ chart. The song also reached No. 1 on the ‘Japan Songs’ chart in six different countries and regions, solidifying Yonezu’s international appeal and success.
This announcement from Billboard Japan is a testament to the remarkable achievements of these talented artists in the first half of 2026. Their music continues to captivate audiences globally, resonating with listeners across various charts and regions. The diverse range of music represented in these rankings showcases the vibrancy and creativity within the industry, promising an exciting future for Japanese music on the international stage.