Tear-jerking J-pop from the ’90s. Hit songs and real tearjerkers.
The 1990s were the era in J-pop history when CDs sold the most, and countless timeless classics were born that are still loved in the 2020s.
It was truly J-pop’s golden age, with artists and bands from a wide range of genres scoring hit after hit—an important period that greatly expanded the possibilities of Japanese music.
From among the dazzling array of brilliant 90s songs, this time we’re highlighting “tear-jerkers”: masterpieces that remain etched in both the record books and our memories.
Whether you lived through that time or you’re a younger music fan who’s recently gotten into 90s Japanese music, be sure to check them out.
- Iconic ballads of 90s J-pop: nostalgic mega-hits and fan favorites
- [Tearjerker] Songs that make your heart tremble with tears & moving tracks with lyrics that touch the soul
- Tear-jerking songs recommended for women in their 40s: classic and popular Japanese tracks
- A roundup of hit love songs from the ’90s
- Tear-jerking songs I want to sing at karaoke
- A heartbreak song that was a hit in the 90s. Classic and popular tracks in Japanese music.
- A hidden gem among tearjerker songs. Recommended popular tracks.
- A coming-of-age song that was a hit in the ’90s. A classic and popular track in Japanese music.
- [So touching it makes you cry] A heartbreakingly wistful and sad song that tightens your chest
- Classic and hit songs by nostalgic Japanese bands from the 1990s
- Tear-jerking songs recommended for women in their 50s: classic and popular Japanese hits
- The nostalgic atmosphere tugs at your heartstrings. Tear-jerker songs from the Showa era.
- Heisei-era heartbreak songs: A roundup of classic tracks from the ’90s to the 2010s
Tear-jerking J-pop from the ’90s: Hit Songs and Weep-Inducing Tracks (71–80)
Last SongYoshioka Hidetaka
A heartbreak song sung by a man to his former lover.
Yoshioka is famous as an actor, but many people must have been amazed to find out he sings this well too! With straightforward lyrics, this song passionately declares he’ll never forget you, and it ended up powerfully moving the hearts of both film fans and those who aren’t.
Oh, Girl (The Sad Screen of My Heart)Sazan Ōrusutāzu
A gem of a ballad crafted by Southern All Stars.
It portrays, from a third-person perspective, a woman who single-mindedly continues to long for someone she can no longer meet.
The metaphor in the lyrics—that her sweet yet painful emotions are projected onto a screen—is truly superb.
This piece is included on the classic album “Southern All Stars,” released in January 1990, and was later featured on the best-of collection “Ballad 3: the album of LOVE.” Keisuke Kuwata’s wistful vocals and melody link exquisitely with the lonely, autumnal atmosphere, making it a masterpiece.
Broken RadioTokunaga Hideaki
Like music flowing from a nostalgic radio, a timeless song that seeps into the heart along with memories was created by Hideaki Tokunaga in July 1990.
The track, which overlays the feelings of a boy transitioning from adolescence to adulthood with the image of a broken radio, was used as the theme song for the TBS drama “Tokai no Mori” (“Urban Forest”) and reached No.
5 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.
Featuring a grand arrangement by Ichizo Seo and beautifully harmonized with Tokunaga’s delicate vocals, the song artfully blends elements of pop and ballad into a moving piece.
It was also included on the album “JUSTICE” and performed at NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen in 2006 and 2009.
Conveying the transience and passion of youth, as well as a yearning for self-renewal, this work gently embraces the emotional fluctuations everyone experiences while growing up—a resonant song that speaks to the heart.
YOU DON’T GIVE UPKahara Tomomi
A gentle, heartwarming single by Tomomi Kahala where piano and strings softly embrace the listener—her tenth single.
Originally a recut from the acclaimed 1997 album “storytelling,” it was released as a single in April 1998.
The song’s appeal lies in its warm message of encouragement, as if gently nudging someone you care about forward.
Kahala’s vocals express this with delicate yet resolute strength.
It was also featured in a Kanebo Cosmetics commercial and reached No.
7 on the Oricon weekly chart.
It’s the kind of anthem that gives you the courage to face tomorrow, whether you want to cheer someone on or need support when you feel like you might falter yourself.
Beyond the Night SkySMAP
SMAP were not only long-running top idols, but also an indispensable presence in 1990s culture.
Their achievements need no explanation at this point, but among the many classic songs they left behind, when it comes to tearjerkers, isn’t “Yozora no Mukō” the one that comes to mind? With lyrics by Shikao Suga and music by Yuka Kawamura, this smash hit was released in 1998 and became SMAP’s first million-selling single.
It’s now a standard in Japan—featured in textbooks and known as a staple at graduation ceremonies.
Its lyrics, seamlessly blending melancholy with gentle optimism, are sure to resonate with listeners of any generation.
Tearful KissSazan Ōrusutāzu
A bittersweet yet beautiful melody that seeps into the heart, this ballad delicately portrays the protagonist’s sorrow and lingering feelings as they face a breakup with a lover.
The emotionally rich vocals woven by Southern All Stars, together with a simple instrumental arrangement, convey the pain of heartbreak with striking clarity.
Released in July 1992, it drew major attention as the theme song for the drama “Zutto Anata ga Suki Datta.” It became Southern All Stars’ first million-selling single and won the Excellence Award at the 34th Japan Record Awards.
Whether you’re seeking to heal the sadness of parting or reminiscing about past love, this song gently stays by your side—and continues to be a source of comfort for many to this day.
Midsummer FruitSazan Ōrusutāzu
A gemlike love ballad that vividly paints an inner landscape at summer’s end, where bittersweet sorrow melts into luscious scenes.
The lyrics strikingly capture the pain of heartbreak and the lingering passion of a memorable love.
Released by Southern All Stars in July 1990, the song was created as the theme for the film Inamura Jane, directed by Keisuke Kuwata.
It reached No.
4 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart and earned Platinum certification.
It resonates especially deeply when you’re holding onto feelings of love or melancholy—and it’s a perfect track for the season when summer draws to a close.