Tear-jerking songs recommended for men in their 40s: classic and popular Japanese hits

CheersNagabuchi Tsuyoshi

Cheers

This is a renowned song that has continued to resonate with many as an anthem celebrating life’s new beginnings.

Originally released in September 1980 on the album “Kampai,” it vividly depicts a celebratory scene lit by candlelight and carries a warm message of encouragement for a friend taking their first step forward.

Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi’s powerful vocals deliver hope and courage for the future.

In 1988, it was re-recorded and released as a single, becoming a major hit that reached No.

1 on the Oricon charts.

In the early 1990s, it was also featured in commercials for Kirin Lager Beer, further boosting its recognition.

To this day, it remains a timeless song passed down through the years, often chosen to convey heartfelt feelings to loved ones at important milestones in life, such as weddings and graduation ceremonies.

An unfinished love song I’ve been working on foreverHata Motohiro

Motohiro Hata “An Always-Unfinished Love Song” Music Video

Written specifically as the theme song for the film “A Love Letter on Our 35th Year,” this gem of a ballad gently and warmly portrays a love that deepens with the passage of time.

Motohiro Hata’s clear, luminous vocals resonate as if tenderly enveloping feelings for a cherished person.

The track began streaming in February 2025, and a CD single was released in March ahead of the film’s premiere.

The movie depicts a husband who, upon retiring, struggles to write a love letter to his wife; accompanying the protagonist’s emotions, Hata carefully weaves his words like a letter.

It’s a song we recommend to anyone who, in the course of days shared with someone precious, has rediscovered the profound significance of their presence.

Someday Merry ChristmasB’z

Itsuka No Merry Christmas

Among the many tear-jerking ballads released by B’z—Japan’s most powerful rock duo—the one that would likely top the list of fan favorites is It’s a Merry Christmas Someday.

Even in the 2020s, it remains one of the most popular Christmas songs.

Interestingly, it didn’t start out as a single; it first appeared on the 1992 mini-album FRIENDS.

After its release, it gained popularity among fans and became well-known enough to be included on later best-of compilations.

Today, it’s cherished not just as a Christmas song, but as a national-class masterpiece ballad.

Because the aforementioned mini-album is a conceptual work, vocalist Inaba was especially careful with the storytelling in the lyrics.

They evoke vivid, almost cinematic scenes with a poignant melancholy that can bring you to tears just by reading them.

As a side note, there are several versions of this song, and it’s fun to listen to them side by side to appreciate the differences!

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KOH-1

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sepiaDōjima Kōhei

Kohei Dojima Band – Sepia

Kohei Dojima is a singer-songwriter who debuted in 1995 and has been actively engaged in music, including writing songs for other artists.

Many of you might recognize him as the singer of ‘Katsushika Rhapsody.’ In this ballad he performs, as the title ‘Sepia’ suggests, memories are the theme, and it conveys a straightforward feeling toward a loved one.

If you listen while reading the lyrics, it will surely bring back memories of someone important to you.

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Hane Keisuke

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