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)
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.
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.
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.