The highest-selling singles in Japan are ranked in the Oricon Singles Chart, which is published by Oricon Style magazine. The data are compiled by Oricon based on each singles' physical sales. This list includes the singles that reached the number one place on that chart in 1981.
| Issue date | Song | Artist(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 5 | "Sneaker Blues " | Masahiko Kondō | [1] |
| January 26 | "Koi wa Do! " | Toshihiko Tahara | |
| February 9 | "Cherry Blossom " | Seiko Matsuda | |
| March 9 | "Machikado Twilight " | Chanels | |
| March 30 | "Ruby no Yubiwa " | Akira Terao | |
| June 8 | "Natsu no Tobira " | Seiko Matsuda | |
| June 22 | "Blue Jeans Memory " | Masahiko Kondō | |
| July 13 | "Nagai Yoru " | Chiharu Matsuyama | |
| August 3 | "Shiroi Parasol " | Seiko Matsuda | |
| August 24 | "High School Lullaby " | Imo-kin Trio | |
| October 12 | "Gingiragin ni Sarigenaku " | Masahiko Kondō | |
| October 26 | "Kaze Tachinu " | Seiko Matsuda | |
| November 2 | "Gingiragin ni Sarigenaku" | Masahiko Kondō | |
| November 30 | "Akujo " | Miyuki Nakajima | |
| December 21 | "Sailor Fuku to Kikanjū " | Hiroko Yakushimaru | |
Toshinobu "Toshi" Kubota is a Japanese singer, songwriter, musician, music producer, and radio personality. He has produced six million-seller records and thirty-three Top 40 singles during his career. Kubota is currently part of Sony Music Japan. In addition, he has composed and written songs for many singers including Hiromi Iwasaki, Misia, Toshinori Yonekura, Kyōko Koizumi, and many other recording artists.
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