[2026] Recommended for Men in Their 40s! A Collection of Classic Japanese Breakup Songs
When you go through a heartbreak, it can feel like there’s a gaping hole in your heart.
Little moments can bring those memories rushing back, leaving you with a pang of sadness.
In this article, we’ve gathered Japanese breakup songs released from the 1990s to the mid-2000s—the soundtrack to the youth of those who are now in their 40s.
The nostalgic melodies you used to listen to back then and the lyrics that resonate in your chest may hit even deeper now.
As you look back on past loves, why not find a small push to move forward, together with these timeless songs that stay close to your heart?
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[2026] Recommended for Men in Their 40s! A Collection of Classic Japanese Breakup Songs (81–90)
Ice RainKudō Shizuka
A heartbreak song you want to listen to in the cold season as the snow falls: Shizuka Kudo’s “Ice Rain.” Heartbreak alone already feels cold and chilling, but with this song set against a winter backdrop, the white snow seems to make an already frozen heart even colder, as if driving the chill deeper.
It’s a breakup song about knowing in your head that you’re parting from someone you love, but your heart can’t catch up to that reality.
For anyone who feels the same—unable to manage the emotions of heartbreak—this is a song you won’t be able to listen to without tears.
wailing in griefKudō Shizuka
This is the 18th single by singer Shizuka Kudo, who debuted as a member of the idol group Onyanko Club and has continued to showcase her multifaceted talents as an actor, TV personality, jewelry designer, and painter.
The song was used as the theme for the TV drama “Ano Hi ni Kaeritai,” and its memorable chorus is irresistibly catchy.
The lyrics depict the realization of how precious someone is only after losing them—something many who have experienced heartbreak from not being honest about their feelings will relate to.
With a melody that carries both a driving energy and a tinge of melancholy, this is Shizuka Kudo’s biggest hit.
DEAR…againHirose Kōmi
This is a heartbreak song by Koumi Hirose, who produced many hits in the ’90s with her powerful vocals.
While she’s best known for her winter love songs, this track is also a Christmas song and was used in the ski commercial for Alpen.
It tenderly portrays a girl’s yearning to see the one she loves by Christmas, resonating with women who have felt the same way.
The longing is so palpable in Hirose’s voice that you can’t help but wish the song ends with a happy ending.
I want to see you.sawada chikako
This is the eighth single by singer-songwriter Chikaco Sawada, who, together with pianist Atsushi Oonoza, has been energetically holding “Song Therapy Live” concerts nationwide.
The track was used as the ending theme for the TV infotainment program Tonight and is known as Sawada’s biggest hit.
Its lyrics, which recount memories and promises with a lover who will never return, resonate deeply, enhanced by a poignant melody.
It’s a major hit from the 1990s that portrays the sorrow of a heartbreak beyond one’s control.
SquallFukuyama Masaharu
One breakup song from the ’90s that you just can’t leave out is this very track by Masaharu Fukuyama.
It’s a love song that’s also a breakup song, and a breakup song that feels like a love song.
Those heart-trembling lyrics flow along with his sweet voice.
The songs in which he sings from a woman’s perspective captivate everyone, don’t they? It’s almost mysterious how deeply he understands a woman’s delicate feelings.
“Squall” is a self-cover of a song he originally provided to singer Eiko Matsumoto.
Both versions are charming, aren’t they?
as A personKahara Tomomi
Tomomi Kahara’s “as A person” is a song about longing for an unforgettable lover.
Released in 1999, the lyrics were written by Kahara herself as a message to an ex.
It recounts the end of a love that felt like a once-in-a-lifetime romance, capturing a lingering attachment that refuses to fade.
The more deeply you love someone, the harder it is to forget them, leaving you wandering in sorrow.
From this song, you can keenly feel a profound love that cannot be dismissed with the simple word “regret.” If you have a lover you just can’t forget, this song will resonate with your feelings.
[2026] Recommended for men in their 40s! A roundup of classic Japanese breakup songs (91–100)
I’ll surely never forgetZARD
When it comes to female artists who sing breakup songs, you can’t leave out ZARD.
This track is also one of the defining songs of the ’90s.
The lyrics capture sadness and heartache as if they were events unfolding right before your eyes, which really resonates with women.
It may be a breakup song, but Sakai’s clear voice and the forward-looking melody give you the courage to stand up again.
Her songs always give you a push, no matter the moment.
Perhaps this song became a hit not only because it’s a breakup song, but because it also sent strength to women like herself.