[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 roundup of classic Japanese heartbreak songs (21–30)
A lie in the mirror smiles.T-BOLAN
This is the track included as the B-side to the million-selling single “Bye For Now,” released in November 1992.
It portrays the frustration and self-loathing in romance that make you act contrary to your true feelings.
Many listeners will feel a tightening in their chest at the scene where the self in the mirror smiles as if mocking one’s own lies.
The word choices—unusual for the time—also leave a strong impression.
The irresistible charm lies in the gap between the breezy pop-rock sound and the heartrending lyrics.
Moritomo Arashi’s soaring high notes in the chorus feel like the protagonist’s inner scream, stirring the listener’s emotions.
It’s a song you’ll want to hear on nights when you’re hiding your true feelings.
Another OrionFujii Fumiya
It was released in 1996 as Fumiya Fujii’s 10th single.
The song was used as the theme for the TBS Friday drama “Garasu no Kakeratachi,” in which Fumiya Fujii himself starred, and it reached No.
1 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.
Though parting is painful, the song’s uplifting lyrics—believing that hearts remain connected even when apart—are truly comforting.
It’s a song that makes you want to look up at the night sky and heal a broken heart.
[2026] Recommended for Men in Their 40s! A Collection of Classic Japanese Breakup Songs (31–40)
Oh, Girl (The Sad Screen of My Heart)Sazan Ōrusutāzu
A gem of a ballad crafted by Southern All Stars.
It portrays, from a third-person perspective, a woman who single-mindedly continues to long for someone she can no longer meet.
The metaphor in the lyrics—that her sweet yet painful emotions are projected onto a screen—is truly superb.
This piece is included on the classic album “Southern All Stars,” released in January 1990, and was later featured on the best-of collection “Ballad 3: the album of LOVE.” Keisuke Kuwata’s wistful vocals and melody link exquisitely with the lonely, autumnal atmosphere, making it a masterpiece.
Way of DifferenceGLAY
Released in 2002 as GLAY’s 25th single.
The song was used as the theme for Fuji TV’s romance reality show “Ainori,” and is a love song that depicts a man and woman’s story from their first meeting to their breakup.
It reached No.
1 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart and is their best-selling single released in the 21st century.
Hide-and-seekYuuri
A poignant ballad that likens a breakup with a live-in lover to the children’s game of hide-and-seek.
Through images of a tumbler left behind and a messy room, it vividly portrays a man’s heart steeped in emptiness and loneliness.
Yuuri’s delicate vocals, paired with a simple, guitar-centered arrangement, superbly convey the pain of heartbreak.
Released in December 2019, the recording was supervised by Hiro of MY FIRST STORY.
The music video, directed by Elizabeth Miyaji and featuring actress Yuu Kinoyama, further deepens the work’s world.
It is a gem of a love song that closely resonates with those who have just experienced a breakup or who still harbor longing for someone dear.
Rainy BlueTokunaga Hideaki
It was released in 1986 as Hideaki Tokunaga’s debut single.
As one of his signature songs, it’s highly popular and has been covered by many artists.
The sadness and loneliness of a broken heart overlap with the image of “rain,” deepening the sense of poignancy.
Tokunaga’s sweet, husky voice resonates deeply in this song.
Close your eyesHirai Ken
When I wake up in the morning, I can feel the empty shell of the person I once loved lying beside me.
This song by Ken Hirai portrays that sudden sense of loss that visits in ordinary, fleeting moments.
Close your eyes and memories of happier days return in vivid detail, but open them and there’s no one there.
That inescapable reality pierces your heart, doesn’t it? The longer you spent together, the more indelible the memories become—how painfully ironic.
Released in April 2004, the song topped the Oricon Yearly Chart as the theme for the film “Crying Out Love, in the Center of the World.” For those who have gone through the profound parting of divorce and now simply want to dwell in their sorrow, this is a song that quietly stays by your side.