[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?

Playlist

[2026] Recommended for Men in Their 40s! A Collection of Classic Japanese Breakup Songs
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Goodbye Busyuzu		A ballad that depicts the poignant moment of heartbreak
2	Before you become a memorysupittsu		Spitz’s poignant early signature ballad
3	IT’S ONLY LOVEFukuyama Masaharu		Masaharu Fukuyama’s classic song about the pain of heartbreak
4	Snow SmileBUMP OF CHICKEN		Melancholic ballad masterpieces to listen to in winter
5	Don’t Leave MeB’z		A poignantly urgent blues of farewell
6	Tearful KissSazan Ōrusutāzu		Southern's million-selling hit, a moving theme song
7	Close your eyesHirai Ken		Ken Hirai's moving romantic ballad
8	windKobukuro		A poignant ballad depicting a springtime farewell, a masterpiece by Kobukuro.
9	I wanted to kiss you again.B’z		From summer to winter, B’z’s poignant love song
10	I miss youBEGIN		A poignant breakup song by BEGIN from Ishigaki Island
11	You are freeCHAGE and ASKA		CHAGE and ASKA, a masterpiece that sings of the pain of heartbreak
12	I want to take only you away just like this.DEEN		A signature song by DEEN, a poignant classic ballad
13	Last SongGACKT		A GACKT ballad that moves from snowy silence to passion
14	My LifeMr.Children		Mr.Children classic hit that portrays life-sized, everyday struggles
15	Crimson-colored sunsetFujifaburikku		A yearning for my hometown and a heartfelt resolve to look forward
16	OverMr.Children		The pain of heartbreak, the end of love felt in everyday life
17	I won’t fall in love anymore.Makihara Noriyuki		Noriyuki Makihara’s classic, a heartfelt song that heals a broken heart
18	Blue BenchSasuke		Sasuke’s classic song of reunion memories and regrets
19	Can’t Say Anything… SummerTHE JAYWALK		J-WALK’s signature song, a bittersweet summer tune
20	One more time,One more chanceYamazaki Masayoshi		Masayoshi Yamazaki’s famous song, a quintessential heartbreak anthem
21	Only You ~Summer Heartbreak~Sazan Ōrusutāzu		A 1995 heartbreak ballad, a famous song by Keisuke Kuwata
22	excuseSha ran Q		A quintessential 90s breakup rock ballad
23	The Door of TimeWANDS		WANDS' heartbreak song, a million-selling track
24	I don’t want to let go.T-BOLAN		A masterpiece that sings of a man's lingering attachment and feelings of love
25	Don’t forget.DREAMS COME TRUE		A heartfelt DCT ballad that portrays the pain of parting
26	See you againSEAMO		SEAMO’s classic, an upbeat breakup song
27	After the FestivalKuwata Keisuke		A moving masterpiece by Keisuke Kuwata depicting heartbreak
28	The Last RainYasushi Nakanishi		Yasushi Nakanishi’s classic is a long-running hit
29	A lie in the mirror smiles.T-BOLAN		A masterpiece that sings of the frustrations of love and self-loathing
30	Another OrionFujii Fumiya		Theme song of Glass Shards, a song that heals heartbreak
31	Oh, Girl (The Sad Screen of My Heart)Sazan Ōrusutāzu		A wistful song of a woman lamenting lost love
32	Way of DifferenceGLAY		GLAY “Love Love Love,” theme song of the show Ainori
33	Hide-and-seekYuuri		A ballad that likens a breakup with a live-in partner to a game of hide-and-seek
34	Rainy BlueTokunaga Hideaki		A poignant breakup classic that pairs with the rain
35	Close your eyesHirai Ken		Depicting the sense of loss for a love that has been lost
36	I LOVE YOUOzaki Yutaka		Yutaka Ozaki’s famous song, released as a single and made eternal
37	Just… I want to see youEXILE		A melancholic early EXILE breakup song
38	Surely, somewhere…TUBE		TUBE’s hit song, a drama theme, led to a Kouhaku appearance.
39	even ifHirai Ken		Ken Hirai’s bittersweet love single ranks 3rd on the Oricon chart.
40	OrangeSMAP		The breakup song remained popular even after the group disbanded.
41	By the time of the Christmas carolsInagaki Junichi		A classic song that sings about the course of love leading up to Christmas
42	It hurts.Kiyoshi Ryujin		Seiryuujin’s heartrending love song
43	Moon Song[Alexandros]		A high-tone voice that captivates many listeners...
44	somedaySaucy Dog		A love song that portrays heartbreak and memories
45	Goodbyeofukōsu		Off Course’s pure love ballad, poignantly expressing the end of a romance
46	Rainy Amusement ParkSasuke		A ballad depicting memories of an amusement park date and a breakup
47	Before you become a memoryCYCLE		A poignant classic song that depicts a breakup with her
48	Love songSambomasutā		Sambomaster's classic heartbreak song
49	An uncool way of getting dumpedŌe Senri		Senri Oe’s classic song that portrays the emotions of heartbreak.
50	From our joined handsback number		A poignant ballad that realizes the importance of a lost love
51	Cactus Flowerchūrippu		A signature love song by Tulip that portrays parting and rebirth
52	huge nuisanceyunikōn		The sorrow of a salaryman whose newlywed life falls apart due to a solo job transfer
53	White LoversKuwata Keisuke		Introduction to Keisuke Kuwata’s winter ballad songs
54	Bye For NowT-BOLAN		A hopeful anthem for overcoming breakups, resonating with the heart.
55	cherrysupittsu		A classic song that looks back on youth and faces forward
56	You Go Your WayCHEMISTRY		A CHEMISTRY hit song depicting a heartrending farewell and moving forward
57	Rain MelodyKinKi Kids		KinKi Kids’ 8th single, a poignant song about rain and heartbreak.
58	emptyyuzu		An early classic by Yuzu, a bittersweet song of memories
59	Effeminate; overly sentimental; being clingy/whiny (context-dependent)Gōruden Bonbā		A signature song whose lyrics are based on Kiryuin’s experiences
60	SaudadePorunogurafiti		Saudade is a smash-hit song by Porno Graffitti.
61	SakurazakaFukuyama Masaharu		Fukuyama’s smash hit about the pain of parting
62	STILL LOVE HER (The Lost Scenery)TM NETWORK		Regret for My Ex-Girlfriend and Everyday Life
63	Until the day I can no longer rememberback number		A signature song that sings of the pain of heartbreak and memories
64	and goodbyeosage		A song that portrays the heartrending feelings after a breakup
65	whiteoutreGretGirl		A song that expresses the pain of heartbreak in white
66	Everyday Revolutionneguse.		A touching ballad that portrays the pain of heartbreak
67	loverFukuyama Masaharu		A song by Masaharu Fukuyama about the regret of a breakup
68	You’re no longer here.FUNKY MONKEY BΛBY’S		After a heartbreak, if it’s going to hurt this much, …
69	Love letterTHE BLUE HEARTS		Gaining courage from heartbreak songs
70	Hold my soulHimuro Kyosuke		Kyosuke Himuro's love songs
71	I miss you so much, I want to see you.Nishino Kana		I was cast down into the depths of despair by a broken heart...
72	ALONEB’z		A signature song by B’z: a heartbreak ballad that’s poignant yet powerful.
73	LOVE LOVE LOVEDREAMS COME TRUE		A heartbreak song—feeling the stirrings of love in Miwa Yoshida’s singing.
74	Time goes byEvery Little Thing		E.T.’s bittersweet breakup song becomes a smash hit
75	366 daysHY		The iconic breakup song “366 Days” resonates with the heart.
76	Glass BoyKinKi Kids		A classic song about a boy’s broken heart that resonates deeply
77	Poem of SunlightLe Couple		The Healing Allure of Breakup Songs
78	Hello, Again ~A Place That’s Been Around Since Long Ago~My Little Lover		A nostalgic breakup song resonates with my heart.
79	me me sheRADWIMPS		It’s quite a heavy-hearted breakup song, but it’s just after the separation…
80	MY GRADUATIONSPEED		A ’90s girl group’s bittersweet breakup song
81	beetle (specifically, a rhinoceros beetle)aiko		A masterpiece breakup song that heals the wounds of the heart
82	Perfume of loveglobe		A classic 90s globe song expressing the sorrow of a broken heart
83	A little; a bitDaikoku Maki		Maki Ohguro’s classic song “Strawberry White Paper”
84	AloneMayo Okamoto		Mayo Okamoto’s heartbreak song, with her wistful vocals, resonates deeply with the heart.
85	Ice RainKudō Shizuka		A winter heartbreak, with snow painting the pain in my heart
86	wailing in griefKudō Shizuka		A signature song by Shizuka Kudo that portrays the melancholy of a broken heart.
87	DEAR…againHirose Kōmi		Kohmi Hirose’s wistful winter love song
88	I want to see you.sawada chikako		Chikaco Sawada’s smash-hit heartbreak song
89	SquallFukuyama Masaharu		Masaharu Fukuyama’s heartbreak song “Squall” resonates with the heart.
90	as A personKahara Tomomi		A deep yearning for an unforgettable love
91	I’ll surely never forgetZARD		A quintessential heartbreak song—ZARD’s soul-stirring vocals that resonate with the heart
92	Rainy BlueTokunaga Hideaki		Hideto Tokunaga, known for many cover songs, had a ma…
93	MPRINCESS PRINCESS		Speaking of Princess Princess’s heartbreak songs…
94	Lonely Tropical FishWink		Speaking of WINK, from the late 80s to the 90s...
95	My loverGorin Mayumi		From the content of the lyrics, it leads an autumn avenue of ginkgo trees…
96	LOVERS AGAINEXILE		If you really want to plunge deep into the abyss, then—
97	winter againGLAY		An adult heartbreak ballad. I can’t forget you even after we’ve parted...
98	Sly womanSha ran Q		It’s a hardcore heartbreak song, so I’ll dare to keep it realistic…
99	GoodbyeGAO		GAO’s signature song “Sayonara” also, in the ’90s…
100	Christmas songback number		A powerful husky voice that captivates listeners…
101	Swan songKinKi Kids		K, who is popular for their overwhelming vocal ability and performance…
102	The Way Back to the FutureKobukuro		Kobukuro, the two-person duo with many hit songs, ...
103	missingKubota Toshinobu		The massive hit by Toshinobu Kubota, one of Japan’s leading R&B singers…
104	I’m glad I met you.Koizumi Kyoko		Speaking of heartbreak songs sung by Kyoko Koizumi, ...
105	Graduationsaitou yuki		As a top idol of the 80s, men everywhere...
106	Dumped, banzai!Kondō Masahiko		It’s exactly what the title says—a heartbreak song by Match…
107	I’m feeling great!DA PUMP		For those who want to sing a heartbreak song in a danceable way…
108	Be kind to othersTHE BLUE HEARTS		After all, if I’m going to blow off steam after a heartbreak, a bar…
109	cherry blossomKobukuro		Kobukuro’s classic hit “Sakura” became a massive success as a TV drama theme song.
110	Someday Merry ChristmasB’z		A classic Christmas ballad, a beloved masterpiece
111	You’re no longer here.FUNKY MONKEY BABYS		A poignant breakup song featuring Erika Toda
112	single bedSha ran Q		Sharam Q’s first million-selling song
113	Heartbreak RestaurantShimizu Kentarō		It’s got a rock vibe and an acoustic vibe…
114	Maplesupittsu		Spitz’s classic song “Cherry” sings about heartbreak.