Popular Japanese songs among women in their 40s: recommended classics and standard hits
No matter how many years go by or how many times you listen, the songs you loved in your youth always stir something warm in your heart, don’t they?
In this article, we’ll introduce popular Japanese songs that colored the teenage years of women in their 40s.
We’ve gathered a trove of classics perfect for anyone thinking, “I want to hear that song again,” or “I want to sing the songs I sang as a student at karaoke.”
You’re sure to rediscover the tracks you loved back then!
Even if you’re busy every day with work and household chores, why not take a little break and bask in the memories of your youth?
- [2026 Edition] Youth Anthems for Your 40s! A Roundup of Popular Heart-Pounding × Heartwarming Songs
- Easy-to-sing karaoke songs: Classic picks for women in their 40s
- Famous songs we’d like women in their 40s to sing, by age group
- [2026 Edition] Karaoke Songs That Will Get the Crowd Going—Perfect for Women in Their 40s
- Love songs recommended for women in their 40s: classic and popular Japanese hits
- Tear-jerking songs recommended for women in their 40s: classic and popular Japanese tracks
- [40s] Popular Songs Ranking by Generation [2026]
- Nostalgic Japanese Pop Hits That Get 40-Something Men and Women Excited
- Ranking of Popular Japanese Music and J-POP Artists Among People in Their 40s [2026]
- Uplifting songs recommended for women in their 40s
- [40s] Popular Japanese Music / J-POP Rankings [By Generation]
- [For Women] Attractive Songs That Appeal to Men in Their 40s
- Nostalgic Songs Perfect as Driving BGM for People in Their 40s
Popular Japanese songs among women in their 40s: Recommended masterpieces and classics (31–40)
A gentle feelingChara
Chara, a female singer-songwriter who gained popularity for her distinctive musicality.
Many women in their 40s might have been fans of hers, right? Among her songs, the one I especially recommend is Yasashii Kimochi.
It’s a track that balances both a gothic feel and cuteness.
The vocal range is on the higher side at mid2 A# to hi D#, but the overall span is relatively narrow.
Using breath-based techniques such as hiccups can instantly elevate the quality, so try singing while referencing her breathing style.
Et cetera related to the seashorePUFFY
PUFFY is a distinctive female duo whose music is striking for its unique sensibility: while their songs often have a bright, standout tone, they also carry a subtly ennui-laden atmosphere.
They’re also known as fashion icons, and I believe many women in their 40s admired their fashion and musical style.
Among PUFFY’s tracks, the one I especially recommend is Nagisa ni Matsuwaru Et Cetera.
Although it sits a bit on the higher side, the vocal range itself is relatively narrow—mid2B to hiC#—so as long as you sing it in an appropriate key, you shouldn’t struggle with vocal production.
Since much of it is sung in chest voice, trying to deliver the chorus in a speaking-like tone is a good approach.
Love againglobe
People in their 40s are the generation that matched perfectly with the Komuro Sound, right? globe, in particular, was incredibly popular.
However, many of globe’s songs are quite high, and as we get older, a lot of their famous tracks can feel harder to sing.
That’s why I recommend Love again.
While it does have some high notes, its range is slightly narrower for a female song—roughly from mid1F to hiC.
Because of that, you can lower the key by a wider margin, making it easier to find your ideal key, and the pitch movement is relatively simple compared to other globe songs.
366 daysHY
An evocative ballad that poignantly portrays the pain of heartbreak and lingering attachment.
The piano melody and soul-stirring vocals convey the agony of days spent unable to forget a former lover.
Released in 2008 and included on the album “HeartY,” the song drew attention as the theme for Fuji TV’s drama and film “Akai Ito” that same year.
Filled with the charm of artists who cherish Okinawan culture while winning the hearts of music fans across Japan, this track is sure to leave a deep impression when sung at karaoke with someone special.
TouchIwasaki Yoshimi
Touch, the famous manga by Mitsuru Adachi, is a work that has been loved by many, having been adapted into a TV anime and a film.
The song Touch is the opening theme of the TV anime and was released in 1985.
Sung by Yoshimi Iwasaki, it became a huge hit as the series’ main theme.
Its melody and lyrics—especially the chorus—stick in your head after just one listen, and you can’t help but hum along.
I’m sure it’s a long-lasting favorite that feels familiar to everyone, not just people in their 40s.
That said, for those squarely in their 40s, listening to this song brings back the excitement and sweet, bittersweet feelings of that time, letting them bask in youthful memories.
It’s also a great track to boost your energy, so I highly recommend it.
Popular Japanese songs among women in their 40s: recommended masterpieces and classics (41–50)
Love and a Machine GunFlipper’s Guitar
The unit band Flipper’s Guitar, formed by Keigo Oyamada and Kenji Ozawa, captivated young women of the time—led by the so-called ‘Olive girls.’ Everyone was obsessed with their stylish sound, weren’t they? Even now, their songs are occasionally used as brief background music on TV shows in various arrangements.
Lion HeartSMAP
For those of us of the same generation who sped through our 20s, 30s, and 40s alongside SMAP, the song “Lion Heart” is even more moving than “The One and Only Flower in the World.” If I remember correctly, the surprise marriage announcement of Takuya Kimura and Shizuka Kudo came right around the time this song became a hit.