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