Hello, Arama! Japan readers and welcome to this week’s installment of #1 Song Review! Last week saw NEWS defeat MISIA and DA PUMP. DA PUMP is back this week, facing off against a newcomer and a blast from the past. Find out what Ronald thought of the songs that topped the singles charts this week and share your thoughts on them too!

Oricon #1: / Billboard Hot 100 #1: AKB48 – Sentimental Train (not in the Oricon Digital Singles top 20 / Billboard Download Songs #31 / not in the Billboard Streaming Songs top 100)

I could’ve lived without hearing another AKB48 song that sounds like a million other generic songs they’ve put out. 3/10

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Oricon Digital Singles #1 / Billboard Download Songs #1: Namie Amuro – Hero (not in the Oricon top 50 / Billboard Hot 100 #8 / Billboard Streaming Songs #15)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJt7KRmv2bQ

Same review as before: This song needs a hero. It’s just another piece of nothing song that I’ve heard a million times before from a million other acts. If Namie was going to do something of this tempo, she should’ve taken notes from “BRIGHTER DAY” because this is just a bore, lacking in character and excitement. 4/10

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Billboard Streaming Songs #1: DA PUMP – U.S.A. (Oricon #20 / Billboard Hot 100 #3 / Oricon Digital Singles #5 / Billboard Download Songs #4)

Same review as before: The eurobeat, the eurobeat, the eurobeat… I’m a bit of a sucker for it. It’s just so fun and nostalgic. It doesn’t take itself too seriously. It is what it is. 6.5/10

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Rank:

1. Billboard Streaming Songs #1: DA PUMP – U.S.A.

2. Oricon Digital Singles #1 / Billboard Download Songs #1: Namie Amuro – Hero

3. Oricon #1: / Billboard Hot 100 #1: AKB48 – Sentimental Train

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