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)
ifCHAGE and ASKA
A lovely song by CHAGE and ASKA that topped the Oricon charts for two consecutive weeks, even though it’s a gently delivered ballad.
You’ll swoon over the melody, grow to love it as you listen closely to the lyrics, and surely find yourself wanting to sing it, too.
Singing it at karaoke makes it clear: ASKA’s vocal prowess is remarkable, and CHAGE’s harmonies are exquisite—this uniquely pleasant sound is something only Chage and Aska can create.
The lyrics are pure, wishing only for a loved one’s happiness: “Even if I’m not the one to make you happy, as long as you’re happy, that’s enough.” A must-hear ballad, even if you’re not a fan.
P.S I miss youTakahashi Yoko
This is a gem of a ballad released in December 1991, marking the full-fledged solo debut of Yoko Takahashi, who would later gain immense acclaim for “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis.” It gives voice to the growing feelings for someone you long to see but cannot, and anyone who has experienced the heartache of a long-distance relationship will likely find it deeply moving.
The song was used as the image theme for the drama “Aitai Toki ni Anata wa Inai…” and later earned the Newcomer Award at the Japan Cable Radio Awards.
There’s also the memorable, unusual anecdote that the jacket photo wasn’t ready in time, so they used a picture of a wall clock instead.
On a quiet night when you can’t sleep as you think of someone dear, listening to this beautiful melody and vocal will surely offer gentle comfort to your heart.
Cold KissICE BOX
The tune is up-tempo, but the song is about something everyone experiences: a lover’s heart growing distant.
Facing a partner who seems to be harboring something, the lyrics capture the mounting anxiety that they may have drifted away.
“A cold kiss” is a clear, symbolic expression of that.
Tear-jerking J-POP from the ’90s: Hit Songs & Cry-Inducing Tracks (81–90)
Can’t Stop Fallin’ in Loveglobe
From the late 1990s into the 2000s, globe shaped the era.
I think they were the culmination of Tetsuya Komuro’s production.
They were a unit that felt undeniably new.
This song, “Can’t Stop Fallin’ in Love,” is a bittersweet love song.
IT’S ONLY LOVEFukuyama Masaharu
Even now, well past the 2020s, Masaharu Fukuyama remains a paragon of charm that both women and men admire, a leading heartthrob Japan is proud of.
It’s no exaggeration to call it an achievement that the many hit dramas he’s starred in as an actor and the numerous hit songs he’s created as a singer-songwriter continue to be remembered across generations.
Here, we introduce “IT’S ONLY LOVE,” a smash hit he released in 1994 that became his first single to debut at No.
1 on the Oricon charts.
This masterpiece simply and poignantly sings of the complicated, helpless feelings after a breakup; its uncluttered arrangement, wistful melody, and Fukuyama’s soaring vocals are sure to resonate with any listener.
The song was also used in a DyDo Blend Coffee commercial he appeared in, and the scene where he tears his own poster still evokes nostalgic memories.
squallFukuyama Masaharu
Masaharu Fukuyama is a singer-songwriter who showcases his talents in a variety of fields, from his musical career to his work as an actor.
His 14th single, “Squall,” released as a double A-side with “HEAVEN,” is also known as a self-cover of a song he originally provided to Eiko Matsumoto.
The female-perspective lyrics sung in his sexy, low register offer a different kind of appeal compared to a clear, airy female voice.
It’s a sentimental ballad number that both men and women can sing at karaoke.
In conclusion
When you immerse yourself in the wonderful melodies and lyrics of these glittering, time-honored hits lined up in a row, you’ll surely be reminded of why they sold so well back then. Even as the years pass and the surrounding culture changes, human emotions do not. The feeling of being moved to tears by a heartbreaking song is surely the same. Why not add these unfading masterpieces—ready to answer those very feelings—to your everyday playlist?