1980 in Japanese music

In 1980 (Shōwa 55), Japanese music was released on records and performed in concerts, and there were charts, awards, contests and festivals.

During that year, Japan continued to have the second largest popular music market in the world.

The 13th Japan record sales awards (Japanese: 日本レコードセールス大賞) were held in 1980.

The 9th Tokyo Music Festival was held on 30 March 1980. Feeling Old Feelings by Dionne Warwick won the grand prize. Body Language by The Dooleys won the Gold Award.

The 22nd Osaka International Festival (Japanese: 大阪国際フェスティバル) was held from 7 to 27 April 1980. The 19th Yamaha Popular Song Contest was held on 11 May 1980. The 20th Yamaha Popular Song Contest was held on 5 October 1980. The 11th World Popular Song Festival was held on 14 to 16 November 1980. The 11th Japan Music Awards were held on 18 November 1980. The final of the 9th FNS Music Festival was held on 16 December 1980. The 22nd Japan Record Awards were held on 31 December 1980. The 31st NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen was held on 31 December 1980.

The 29th Otaka prize was won by Tōru Takemitsu.

The "All Nite Rock Show '80" was held from 21 to 22 June 1980. Momoe Yamaguchi's farewell concert was on 5 October 1980. (There was a live album and video).

Oricon

The following reached number 1 on the weekly Oricon Singles Chart:

The Best Ten

The following reached number 1 on The Best Ten chart:

• 10 January and 17 January: Ihojin - Saki Kubota. There was no broadcast on 3 January.
• 26 June, 3 July, 24 July, 31 July, 7 August, 14 August, 21 August: "Dancing All Night" - Monta & Brothers
• 28 August, 4 September and 11 September: "Aishu Deito (New York City Nights)" - Toshihiko Tahara.

Oricon

The following reached number 1 on the Oricon chart:

• 7 January, 14 January, 21 January, 28 January, 4 February, 11 February: Yumegatari by Saki Kubota
• Public Pressure - Yellow Magic Orchestra

Music Labo

The following reached number 1 on the Music Labo chart:

• 14 January, 21 January, 28 January and 4 February: Yumegatari by Saki Kubota
• 11 February, 18 February, 25 February and 3 March: Kishotenketsu - Chiharu Matsuyama
• 10 March and 17 March: Greatest Hits Vol. 2 - ABBA
• 24 March and 31 March: Love Songs - Mariya Takeuchi
• 7 April and 14 April: Tiny Bubbles - Southern All Stars
• 21 April, 28 April and 5 May: Ikiteite mo Ii Desu ka - Miyuki Nakajima
• 12 May, 19 May, 26 May and 2 June: Roman - Chiharu Matsuyama
• 9 June and 16 June: Mr Black - Chanels
• 23 June and 30 June: X∞Multiplies - Yellow Magic Orchestra
• 7 July, 14 July, 21 July, 28 July and 4 August: Solid State Survivor - Yellow Magic Orchestra
• 11 August, 18 August and 25 August: Act - Monta & Brothers
• 1 September and 8 September: Gyakuryu - Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi
• 16 September: Alice VIII - Alice
• 22 September, 29 September and 6 October: Kampai - Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi
• 13 October: Ride on Time - Tatsuro Yamashita
• 20 October: Koibito Yo - Mayumi Itsuwa
• 27 October and 3 November: Inshouha - Masashi Sada
• 10 November, 17 November and 24 November: The Best - Junko Yagami
• 1 December and 8 December: Kogarashi Ni Dakarete - Chiharu Matsuyama
• 15 December and 22 December: We Are - Off Course

Cash Box of Japan

The following reached number 1 on the Cash Box of Japan chart:

• 22 March and 29 March: Kishotenketsu - Chiharu Matsuyama
• 5 April, 12 April, 19 April and 26 April: Love Songs - Mariya Takeuchi
• 3 May: Tiny Bubbles - Southern All Stars
• 10 May and 24 May: Ikiteite mo Ii Desu ka - Miyuki Nakajima
• 7 June: Roman - Chiharu Matsuyama
• 28 June and 5 July: Mr Black - Chanels

The music of Kagemusha, by Shin'ichirō Ikebe, won the 35th Mainichi Film Award for Best Music. The music of A Distant Cry from Spring (1980), by Masaru Sato, won the 4th Japan Academy Film Prize for Best Music (awarded in 1981). Lalabel, the Magical Girl includes songs by Mitsuko Horie. Animation: The Best Ten 1980, a parody of The Best Ten, was released on 20 December.

The single Gandhara by Godiego reached number 56 on the UK singles chart.

From 1 March to 4 April, Pink Lady appeared in the television programme, sometimes called Pink Lady and Jeff, broadcast in the United States of America. Pink Lady participated in the World Song Festival held in Seoul in South Korea from 21 to 23 November, and were the first Japanese musicians to perform in a concert in Seoul.

The eponymous album Yellow Magic Orchestra reached number 81 on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States. The single, "Computer Game", from that album, reached number 17 on the UK singles chart, and number 60 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The album X∞Multiplies, by the same band, reached number 177 on the Billboard 200 chart.

The song "Hana" (花〜すべての人の心に花を〜) by Shoukichi Kina was a hit in China, Thailand, Indonesia and other Asian countries, and sold 30 million copies.

• Ai Giri Giri, Sekai Eiyushi, Utakata and Remember (Fame) by Pink Lady

• Behind the Mask and Rydeen by Yellow Magic Orchestra

• Ride on Time and My Sugar Babe by Tatsuro Yamashita

• Nijūgoji and Kugatsu No Iro by Saki Kubota

• Ōsaka Shigure by Harumi Miyako

• Aoi Sangoshou by Seiko Matsuda

• Shanikusai, Rock 'n' Roll Widow, Sayonara no Mukōgawa and Ichie by Momoe Yamaguchi

• Turning Point by Pink Lady

• Tenkai and Saudade by Saki Kubota

• B-2 Unit by Ryuichi Sakamoto

• Murdered by the Music by Yukihiro Takahashi

• Make Up City by Casiopea

• Landsale by P-Model

• Every Night by Yōsui Inoue

• Rockoon by T-Square

• Tasogare by Mai Yamane

• Harutsugedori, Möbius Game, Phoenix Densetsu and This is My Trial by Momoe Yamaguchi

• 21 June: Toki no Nai Hotel - Yuming

• November: Yume Hikō (Japanese: 夢飛行) by Mioko Yamaguchi

• 5 December: On the Street Corner by Tatsuro Yamashita

In 2007, Shūkan Shōwa Taimuzu featured Saki Kubota on the back cover as person of the moment (Japanese: 時の人) for 1980.

"Sneaker Blues" by Masahiko Kondō was released on 12 December 1980. Momoe Yamaguchi retired in 1980.

• Timeline of Japanese music

• 1980 in Japan

• 1980 in music

• w:ja:1980年の音楽

• J-POPの歴史「1980年と1981年、劇的だった80年代の幕開け」. Rolling Stone Japan. 23 December 2019.

• Oricon magazine

• Music Labo magazine

• 新譜ジャーナル magazine

• 1980 オリコン年鑑 Oricon Annual Report.

• 1981 オリコン年鑑 Oricon Annual Report

• International Music Guide 1980.

• 今から38年前の今日1980年1月16日、ウイングス初の日本公演ツアーのため成田に到着したポール・マッカートニーが税関で逮捕される. News Online. Nippon Broadcasting System. 16 January 2018.

• "1980年（昭和55年）" in 山口百恵、松田聖子、中森明菜...激動の昭和を駆け抜けた不滅のヒット曲、一挙に解説！. Diamond Online, from Diamond, Inc. 25 May 2025.

• Oricon No. 1 Hits 500. Clubhouse (Japanese: クラブハウス). 1998. ISBN 9784906496129. vol 1 (1968~1985).

• Shig Fujita. "Japan's Record Exports Jump". Billboard. 22 November 1980. p 63.

• 山口百恵引退、松田聖子デビュー！　アイドルの新時代の幕開け. zakII. 5 April 2025.