Breakup songs sung by male Japanese (J-pop) artists
There are so many words about love.Unrequited love, mutual love, breakups… There are lots of songs about these, too—perhaps it’s a national trait.Interestingly, in Japanese music, breakup songs seem especially common among them.Here, I’ve gathered 30 such heartbreak songs sung by male artists.May these masterpieces seep into and soothe your wounded heart.
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Breakup songs sung by male Japanese artists (41–50)
ELEGYShunsuke Kiyokiba
A gem of a ballad woven with delicate emotions.
Setting heartache and loneliness to a beautiful melody, it is a soulful work by Shunsuke Kiyokiba that sings of the pain of a love that is slipping away.
Its poetic worldview, which overlays a farewell with a loved one onto the imagery of dawn, leaves a deep afterglow in the listener’s heart.
Released in November 2018, the song is included on the album “CHANGE.” It’s a piece that gently stays by your side when you want to cherish bittersweet memories of love or spend a trembling night alone.
Kiyokiba’s powerful yet delicate vocals tenderly embrace the pain of heartbreak and parting.
Breakup Songs by Male J-Pop Artists (51–60)
MissingKubota Toshinobu
Toshinobu Kubota delivers the bittersweet ache of an unattainable love with a sweet yet powerful voice.
The portrait of a love that cannot be fulfilled is drawn alongside a beautiful melody that seeps deep into the heart.
Included on his debut album “SHAKE IT PARADISE,” released in September 1986, the song was used as the ending theme for the TV programs “Uwasa-teki Tatsujin” and “World Pro Wrestling.” It’s a recommended track for times when you want to immerse yourself in memories of past love or revisit precious recollections you keep tucked away in your heart.
Parting CitySuzuki Masayuki
A gem of a ballad by Masayuki Suzuki, depicting a heartrending breakup, with lyrics, composition, and arrangement all by Kazumasa Oda.
The transience of a drifting heart, the pure devotion of believing in the words they shared, and the regret for a past that can never be reclaimed.
These soul-tearing emotions are exquisitely conveyed through Suzuki’s rich, velvety voice.
Released in September 1989, the song was featured as an insert track for the drama “LUCKY! Tenshi, Miyako e Iku” and in a Ginza Jewelry Maki commercial, and was later included on the album “Dear Tears.” On a quiet night, when you feel like immersing yourself in memories of someone dear, why not lend your ear to this song?
taxiKEN MIYAKE
It’s a bittersweet love song depicting a farewell at a taxi stand.
Released in February 2025, the track features KEN MIYAKE’s delicate vocals that beautifully convey the pain of heartbreak and lingering attachment.
The pop-rock sound is bright and breezy, yet the lyrical world is melancholic—an irresistibly appealing contrast.
Listening to it brings a sense of calm.
It’s a perfect song for nights when you want to dwell in the afterglow of a breakup, or to play while out for a drive.
hundreds of millions of light-yearsOmoinotake
This is a song by Omoinotake that portrays unwavering feelings for a loved one far away.
The words “I love you,” which never fade with time, seep into the heart.
Released in January 2024 as the opening theme for the TBS Tuesday drama Eye Love You, the piece poignantly depicts lingering attachment to a former lover and the regret of not being able to express one’s feelings when they were together.
It conveys the painful realization of someone’s importance only after being apart.
Those who have had such experiences will find it especially resonant.
It’s a song that gently embraces the hearts of those who have just gone through a breakup.
Tu-tu-luSixTONES
One of the theme songs for the drama “However, There Is Passion,” which portrays the youth of Nankai Candies’ Yamazato, is SixTONES’ “Kokkara.” Featured on the standard edition is this achingly bittersweet mid-tempo ballad, “Tu-tu-lu.” The titular “Tu-tu-lu” feels like the anguished cry of a man who regrets what happened but can no longer turn back.
The wordless hook elevates the sorrow of a love that’s fallen apart.
Lyrics that recall happier days—something like, “I didn’t exactly believe in forever, but back then, maybe the two of us had something like it…”—really hit home.
You’re not here.SixTONES
The heartbreak song sung by SixTONES begins with an ordinary morning scene.
After waking up with a cup of coffee, you’re confronted with the reality that the one you love is no longer there.
Memories suddenly come rushing back, and the days when you’d whisper “I want you” and “I need you” feel nostalgic.
But now, you can’t find that person anymore.
Included on the album THE VIBES, the song was released in January 2024.
The animated music video by Emumero and Pikata has also become a hot topic.
It’s the perfect track for anyone carrying the pain of a breakup or those who have experienced losing someone dear.