Recommended heartbreak songs for women in their 40s: classic and popular Japanese hits
By the time you’re in your 40s, most people have gone through at least one or two heartbreaks.
There were probably songs that stayed close to your feelings during those past breakups, weren’t there?
In this article, we’ll introduce breakup songs recommended for women in their 40s.
We’ve gathered Japanese breakup songs that will bring back memories from those days.
Every once in a while, try looking back on the past as you listen to the songs you used to play back then.
By revisiting those moments now, your heart from that time may soften, even just a little.
It’s not about good or bad—those experiences can all become cherished memories.
- Tear-jerking songs recommended for women in their 40s: classic and popular Japanese tracks
- Recommended breakup songs for women in their 50s: classic and popular Japanese tracks
- A heartbreak song that was a hit in the 90s. Classic and popular tracks in Japanese music.
- [2026] Recommended for Men in Their 40s! A Collection of Classic Japanese Breakup Songs
- [Tear-Jerking Breakup Songs] A curated selection of love songs that gently comfort a wounded heart!
- [Female Heartbreak Song] A soul-stirring song dedicated to you, who loved with all your heart.
- Popular Japanese songs among women in their 40s: recommended classics and standard hits
- Unrequited love songs recommended for women in their 40s: classic and popular Japanese tracks
- Tear-jerking songs recommended for men in their 40s: classic and popular Japanese hits
- [Remembering the Pain of Love…] Breakup Songs Recommended for People in Their 60s
- A heartbreak song that was a hit in the 1980s. A classic and popular track in Japanese music.
- Heisei-era heartbreak songs: A roundup of classic tracks from the ’90s to the 2010s
- Recommended love songs for men in their 40s: classic and popular Japanese tracks.
Recommended breakup songs for women in their 40s: Classic and popular Japanese tracks (21–30)
wailing in griefKudō Shizuka
Among Shizuka Kudo’s discography, which has produced numerous hit songs since her solo debut in the late 1980s, the best-selling is Dokoku, released in 1993.
It’s a masterpiece with lyrics by Miyuki Nakajima and music by Tsugutoshi Goto, and many women in their 40s today likely have this song in their karaoke repertoire.
The song is set in a relatively low key for a female vocal, making it a great choice for women with lower voices who struggle with high notes.
Kudo’s characteristic, sultry vibrato is applied naturally, yet the difficulty level is modest, with a very memorable and easy-to-sing melody line.
It’s also recommended for those aiming for high scores at karaoke.
Time after time ~In the town where flowers dance~Kuraki Mai
It was released in 2003 as Mai Kuraki’s 15th single.
The song was used as the theme for the animated film Detective Conan: Crossroad in the Ancient Capital, and was written while Kuraki envisioned the scenery of Kyoto during her time at Ritsumeikan University.
It’s a popular song among fans as a positive breakup anthem.
Recommended breakup songs for women in their 40s: Classic and popular Japanese tracks (31–40)
EverlastingBoA
Released in 2006 as BoA’s 19th single.
It was the first single for which BoA co-wrote the lyrics with Natsumi Watanabe, and it reached No.
4 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.
This heartbreaking breakup song portrays the sorrow of two people who choose to part ways to pursue their dreams, as well as the complex emotions of trying to accept that decision.
Andromedaaiko
Released in 2003 as aiko’s 13th major-label single, it was featured in Glico Dairy’s “Café au Lait” commercial and reached No.
3 on the Oricon weekly singles chart.
The song recalls the happy moments of being in love; unlike a somber breakup ballad, its memorable melody has a somewhat uplifting feel.
Cheer up!Shimatani Hitomi
It was released in 2003 as Hitomi Shimatani’s 11th single.
Showcasing Shimatani’s style of giving classic songs a pop arrangement and covering them, the track has a colorful, pop feel.
With this song, Hitomi Shimatani made her second appearance at that year’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
ORIONNakajima Mika
It was released in 2008 as Mika Nakashima’s 27th single.
The song was used as an insert track for the drama “Ryusei no Kizuna,” in which Mika Nakashima also appeared for the first time in six years.
The music video features actress Erika Toda, who played Shizuna Ariake in “Ryusei no Kizuna,” and it’s a masterpiece whose clear, translucent vocals by Mika Nakashima resonate in the heart.
No way to sayHamasaki Ayumi
It was released in 2003 as Ayumi Hamasaki’s 31st single.
The song was used in a commercial for the Panasonic portable MD player “MJ57,” and it reached number one on the Oricon weekly singles chart.
With this track, she won the Grand Prize at the 45th Japan Record Awards.
The frustration and bittersweet feelings that arise precisely because she met him may be emotions unique to women.