Popular Unrequited Love Songs: Japanese Music/J-Pop Artist Rankings [2026]

if…DA PUMP96rank/position

DA PUMP / if… (short ver.)

A song worthy of being called an iconic hit of the Heisei era, this is DA PUMP’s 12th single.

Distinct from the group’s signature dance music, it stands out with its lyrical melody and suave rap.

Released in September 2000, it peaked at No.

11 on the Oricon charts and was also featured in a Sharp commercial.

The lyrics depict a bittersweet love, expressing feelings for the other person through repeated “what if” scenarios.

It’s a perfect track for anyone wanting to reminisce about the sweet-and-sour romances of their school days or for those harboring unrequited feelings.

Unrequited loveGENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBE97rank/position

GENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBE / Unrequited Love

This song, which was released as the B-side to the debut single “BRAVE IT OUT” in November 2012, is also included on the classic album GENERATIONS.

When you like someone, even the smallest reactions tend to weigh on your mind.

This track beautifully captures the heart caught in that frustrating struggle—wanting to move forward but hesitating because you care so much.

The fresh vocals from GENERATIONS at the time of their debut also invite empathy, and their pure resonance really hits home.

If you’re in a love you can’t confess, this song will surely stay close to your heart.

The words penned by their senior, EXILE ATSUSHI, gently permeate the bittersweet feelings of unrequited love.

OrangeSMAP98rank/position

Lefty Hand Cream - Full Cover of SMAP 'Orange'

A song known as one of SMAP’s hidden gems is “Orange,” the B-side to their 2000 single “Lion Heart.” The single topped the Oricon charts, and “Orange” proudly took first place in a fan poll ranking of B-sides.

The lyrics, which depict two people who care deeply for each other choosing to part ways for the sake of their future, leave listeners with a bittersweet feeling.

Many high school couples choose to break up around graduation, but if you’ve had an unrequited crush, graduation might be the perfect chance to confess your feelings.

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Hamada Takuya

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Kasane AiSoala99rank/position

Soala – Kasaneai [Official Music Video]

Soala’s translucent vocals gently embrace the feelings that pass each other by and the wish to reunite, delicately expressing subtle emotions.

Released in January 2025 as a track on the EP “Bluem,” the song is distinguished by its piano-centered, gentle sound and memorable melodic lines.

The music video—featuring model Ryoka Orita and actor Yusei Ito—has also garnered attention, spreading waves of empathy across social media.

It’s a song I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone who carries a “what if”—wondering how things might have been if you’d met in a different way.

astronomical observationBUMP OF CHICKEN100rank/position

BUMP OF CHICKEN “Stargazing”

If there’s one song that made BUMP OF CHICKEN famous for their many emo tracks, it would have to be “Tentai Kansoku” (Stargazing).

The lyrics, about stargazing while thinking of a lover who’s drifted away, are heartbreakingly beautiful.

Released in 2001 as their third single, it reached No.

3 on the Oricon Singles Chart, and it continued to rank high in karaoke charts for many years after its release.

While the lyrics are about a breakup, the bittersweet emotion also resonates with unrequited love—so it’s a song I especially recommend to anyone currently nursing a crush.

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Hamada Takuya

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