[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?
- Tear-jerking songs recommended for men in their 40s: classic and popular Japanese hits
- [Tearjerker Guaranteed!] A Heartbreak Song Told from a Male Perspective
- Tear-jerking songs recommended for men in their 50s: classic and popular Japanese hits
- Masterpieces of bittersweet breakup songs. Recommended popular tracks.
- Karaoke songs for men in their 40s: a curated selection of hit tracks women want to hear!
- Recommended love songs for men in their 40s: classic and popular Japanese tracks.
- For men in their 30s: Heart-touching breakup songs—masterpieces that can move grown men to tears
- A heartbreak song that was a hit in the 1980s. A classic and popular track in Japanese music.
- Tear-jerking songs recommended for women in their 40s: classic and popular Japanese tracks
- Recommended heartbreak songs for women in their 40s: classic and popular Japanese hits
- Recommended Japanese pop songs for karaoke for men in their 40s
- [Tearjerker] Songs that make your heart tremble with tears & moving tracks with lyrics that touch the soul
- [Tear-Jerking Breakup Songs] A curated selection of love songs that gently comfort a wounded heart!
[2026] Recommended for men in their 40s! A roundup of classic Japanese breakup songs (51–60)
Rain MelodyKinKi Kids
Released in 1999 as KinKi Kids’ eighth single.
It was issued as a double A-side with “Ame no Melody / to Heart” and reached No.
1 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.
The themes of rain and heartbreak heighten the sense of sadness and poignancy.
The song is notable for its sound that evokes a more mature kind of romance.
emptyyuzu
It was released in 1998 as Yuzu’s third single.
Both the lyrics and music were written by Koji Iwasawa, and the song reflects his memory of being confessed to by a woman—initially turning her down, only to fall for her afterward.
The harmonica’s tone evokes sadness and poignancy, making it one of Yuzu’s classic early masterpieces.
Effeminate; overly sentimental; being clingy/whiny (context-dependent)Gōruden Bonbā
It was released in 2009 as Golden Bomber’s seventh single.
The lyrics were written directly from an experience the vocalist Kiryuin had, and the song is performed entirely as a dance-only number.
With its easy-to-remember lyrics and sound, along with a dance that everyone can enjoy together, it became popular and remains one of Golden Bomber’s signature songs that is still frequently sung at karaoke.
SaudadePorunogurafiti
It was released in 2000 as Porno Graffitti’s fourth single.
“Saudade” is a Portuguese word that carries meanings such as “nostalgia,” “melancholy,” “a toast,” “painful memories,” and “a longing for what has been lost,” and the song has a Latin flavor.
It is Porno Graffitti’s biggest hit and became one of their signature songs, achieving million-seller status.
[2026] Recommended for men in their 40s! A roundup of classic Japanese heartbreak songs (61–70)
SakurazakaFukuyama Masaharu
It was released in 2000 as Masaharu Fukuyama’s 15th single.
The song was used as the theme for the segment “Mirai Nikki V” on TBS’s “U-nnan no Hontoko!” and is based on Fukuyama’s own real-life experiences, expressing his feelings for a former lover.
It became the last single of the 20th century to surpass 2 million in total sales, achieving a major hit.
STILL LOVE HER (The Lost Scenery)TM NETWORK
This song was released in 1988.
It was also used as the ending theme for the anime City Hunter 2.
It captures the feelings you have after breaking up with her—the thoughts of how you wish you’d acted differently back then.
Even while carrying regret, memories, and wishes, everyday life comes along just the same…
That’s the kind of emotion this song conveys.
Until the day I can no longer rememberback number
It’s a song that expresses a bittersweet feeling anyone who’s been through a breakup can relate to.
It makes you realize that your feelings for the person you lost have become a part of you.
You can still sense how the happy memories of the days you spent together are deeply etched in your heart.
Known as one of back number’s signature songs, it was released in October 2011 as their third single.
It received high acclaim at the time, including reaching No.
1 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100.
It’s a perfect song for those trying to overcome the pain of heartbreak or when you’re in the mood to look back on memories with someone special.