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 of the ’90s. Hit songs and sob-inducing tracks (51–60)
I’m proudKahara Tomomi
Tomomi Kahala also produced numerous hit songs from the 1990s through the 2000s.
Among them, “I’m Proud” is known as one of her signature tracks, having won various music awards.
Pay special attention to her soaring high notes.
A Love Song I Couldn’t SingOda Yūji
Known as an iconic song of the 1990s, this piece is a love song packed with Yuji Oda’s charm.
Released in February 1991, it reached No.
2 on the Oricon weekly chart.
It was also used as the image song for Suzuki’s “Cervo Mode,” leaving a lasting impression on many listeners.
The song portrays youth—college-era love and parting, and young people stepping into the working world.
The world woven by Oda’s clear, crystalline vocals and heartfelt lyrics beautifully captures the emotions of young people at the time.
It’s a must-listen for anyone who’s ever struggled to express their feelings to someone important or who feels nostalgic for their youth.
Embracing sleepless nightsZARD
It’s a heartbreak song by the well-known ZARD.
Sung with a clear, expansive voice about a past love, it’s both refreshing and tinged with sadness.
The kind of all-out love you can only have as a girl can feel embarrassingly sweet when you look back on it as an adult.
This song captures exactly that feeling.
I can’t say it.Gō Hiromi
Hiromi Go, known for his trademark shout of “Japaan!!” that instantly fires up the crowd, actually has a wonderful trilogy of ballads—did you know? The three songs “Boku ga Donna ni Kimi o Suki ka, Kimi wa Shiranai” (You Don’t Know How Much I Love You), “Ienai yo” (I Can’t Say It), and “Aitakute Shikatanai” (I Can’t Help Wanting to See You) were all released in the ’90s and are equally recommendable—there’s no picking a favorite.
This song, “Ienai yo,” only peaked at No.
27 on the Oricon charts, but it still won that year’s Cable Radio Grand Prize.
Proof of his solid, enduring popularity.
Also pay attention to the lyrics by Chinfa Kan, brimming with the delicate nuances of love: being so considerate of the other person that you can’t bring yourself to confess your feelings.
Tearjerking J-Pop from the ’90s: Hit Songs and Weep-Inducing Tracks (61–70)
Don’t forget.DREAMS COME TRUE
This is the 10th single by DREAMS COME TRUE, released in October 1991.
It was also included on the album MILLION KISSES, released the following month, which became a huge hit and was certified 2× Million by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.
The lyrics dwell on lingering feelings for a former lover, and the heartfelt plea—“Even if you hate me, please don’t forget me”—is deeply moving.
It’s a ballad that gently wraps the pain of parting.
Let’s break up. Let’s disappear—me from you, and you from me.Daikoku Maki
Maki Ohguro is known for refreshing songs like “La La La,” but she also sings such heartrending tracks.
Even as it conveys the assertiveness of the strong women typical of Ohguro, there’s a lingering sense of putting on a brave face that brings tears to your eyes.
The melody line also carries that distinctly 90s sentimental feel—very nice.
Tonight is Boogie BackOzawa Kenji feat. Suchadarapaa
‘Konya wa Boogie Back’ by Kenji Ozawa featuring Scha Dara Parr is truly a masterpiece that shines brilliantly in the Japanese music scene.
It has been covered many times by various artists.
Even now, it has a charm that doesn’t feel dated at all.