Recommended for the Yutori generation! Tear-jerking masterpieces from the J-pop scene

Maplesupittsu

Spitz / Kaede

A gem of a ballad that weaves a fleeting yet beautiful farewell scene with a clear, transparent melody.

Released by Spitz in July 1998 from the album “Fake Fur,” this song tenderly sings of longing for what has been lost.

It portrays the heartache that gradually softens over time and the strength to keep looking forward, carried by a warm, gentle performance.

Beginning with its use in the 1999 Fuji TV drama “Over Time” and continuing through to the network’s 2022 series “silent,” it has colored many stories.

It’s a song to listen to when your heart is deeply wounded or when you’ve said goodbye to someone dear.

Masamune Kusano’s tender, comforting vocals are sure to become a source of support for your heart.

DEPARTURESglobe

globe / 'DEPARTURES' (Starring: Ayaka Miyoshi)

A love song that defined the ’90s, where a heart-stirringly beautiful melody and gentle vocals resonate deep in your chest.

Through the faint hopes and anxieties born from sharing the same days, and the eventual parting and new beginnings, this single—released in February 1996—lovingly captures the memories the two protagonists walked together.

Its familiar dance tune and bittersweet romantic feelings lead you into a breathtakingly dramatic progression.

Featured in JR East’s ski campaign “JR ski ski,” it was etched into many people’s hearts alongside the striking visuals of Yutaka Takenouchi and Makiko Esumi.

An eternal classic from globe, dedicated to everyone setting out on a new path.

To the futureKiroro

Kiroro “To the Future” Official Music Video

This is a heartwarming ballad that depicts the strong bond between mother and child.

Born from experiences in junior high school, the piece carries a message filled with love for a child and hope for the future.

Its gentle piano melody is striking, and Chiharu Tamashiro’s clear, pure vocals are deeply moving.

Released in June 1998 as Kiroro’s second single, it achieved an impressive No.

4 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.

It has been covered by numerous artists and was also featured as the theme song for P&G’s “Bridge of Feelings Project” commercials.

Brimming with a parent’s love for their child and a child’s gratitude for their parent, this song is also beloved as a graduation anthem—sure to evoke memories of youth.

DestinyAee! group

Aぇ! group “Destiny” Official Music Video

A gem of a love song that delicately portrays a straightforward devotion, even while harboring clumsy feelings of love.

The Aぇ! group’s intricately woven vocals and deeply emotive melody brilliantly color a bittersweet love story.

Set for inclusion on the album “Chameleon,” slated for release in June 2025, this track has been selected as the theme song for the TV Asahi drama “Musashino Rondo,” starring group member Yoshinori Masakado.

The music video’s world, in which the message of love is conveyed with strength even under the pouring rain, superbly captures a heart buffeted by fate.

It’s a song that stands by everyone troubled by love and gives them courage.

more than anyoneBE:FIRST

BE:FIRST / Stronger Than Anyone -Lyric Video- (Theme song for the film “Hold Me Tighter Than Anyone”)

A poignant longing wrapped in kindness strikes the heart in this ballad by BE:FIRST.

While yearning for closeness with a loved one, the vivid lyrics portray a man’s struggle to keep his distance because of mental illness, along with the feelings that remain unchanged.

The richly expressive vocals of all the members and the melody beautifully color the story’s world.

Included on the single “Spacecraft / Sailing,” released on February 5, 2025, the song was also selected as the theme for the film “Hold Me Tighter Than Anyone,” which premiered that February.

This piece invites deep reflection on the meaning of continuing to care for someone important and on human connection.

It is recommended for those wrestling with feelings for someone they love, or for anyone seeking a touching ballad that resonates with the heart.

Precious LoveEXILE ATSUSHI

EXILE ATSUSHI / Precious Love

With a warm, translucent voice, EXILE ATSUSHI pens a wedding song themed around love and bonds.

Gently singing of the importance of affection felt in days walked together and vows to the future, this work carefully portrays the delicate emotions of a romance born in everyday life transforming into eternal love.

Released as a single in October 2014, it was featured in a commercial for the wedding magazine Zexy and earned the Best Vocal Performance at the 56th Japan Record Awards that same year.

It was subsequently included on the album Love Ballade, captivating listeners across a wide audience.

Whether for a moody evening spent savoring a drink while feeling the bond with someone special, or as wedding background music, it will surely stay close to your heart.

You’re no longer here.FUNKY MONKEY BABYS

FUNKY MONKEY BABYS "You’re Not Here Anymore"

This is a gem of a ballad that sings of the sweet, aching pain of heartbreak.

The farewell scene on the station platform and the memories the two shared are delicately portrayed and delivered with a melody that pierces the heart.

Among FUNKY MONKEY BABYS’ works, it stands out for its rich emotional expression.

Released in October 2007, it reached No.

8 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.

It was selected as the ending theme for Nippon TV’s “Otona no Shikaku,” earning broad support across generations.

The song is also included on the album “FUNKY MONKEY BABYS 2,” and has been covered by Mariko Takahashi.

It’s a heartwarming track that stays by your side when you sense the end of a romance or go through a farewell with someone dear.