Ranking of Tear-Jerking Japanese Songs [2026]

We’ve gotta do what seems impossible.Sambomasutā57rank/position

I’ve gotta do the thing that seems impossible.

A powerful anthem that gives you a push in those youthful moments.

Released by Sambomaster in February 2010, this song carries a warm message that boosts self-affirmation and the spirit to take on challenges.

Centered on themes of “not giving up,” “moving forward,” and “possibility,” it offers a gentle embrace for everyone’s anxieties and doubts while giving the courage to take a new step.

It has been featured in a Nissan commercial and as the image song for the film Cheer☆Dance, resonating with many hearts.

It’s a classic that students training for sports festivals, as well as anyone standing at a crossroads in life, should hear.

AitaiKato Miria58rank/position

Miliyah Kato - “Aitai”

A song by singer-songwriter Miliyah Kato, who began writing lyrics at the age of ten and made her major-label debut as a first-year high school student.

It’s the lead track from her 4th album, Ring, and was used as an insert song in the film Villain.

The lyrics, which portray the turmoil of loving someone who already has a partner and the reality that such love will never come to fruition, convey a heartfelt cry so vivid that even those without similar experiences can picture the scenes.

It’s a tear-jerking love song whose edge voice and piano tones amplify the heartbreak and stir the soul.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Unrequited lovemiwa59rank/position

miwa 'Unrequited Love'

This is the eighth single by singer-songwriter miwa, who has been energetically active in live houses since her high school days and has gained popularity for her cute vocals and refreshing songs.

Chosen as the ending theme for the music variety show “saku saku,” the track features a beautiful arrangement spotlighting piano and strings, paired with a clear, straightforward vocal delivery that feels soothing.

As the title suggests, the lyrics depict the anxiety and inner conflict of unrequited love, while conveying an unwavering affection at its core—something that likely resonated with many women.

It’s a love song whose aching emotions pierce the heart and bring tears to your eyes.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Song of a FriendBUMP OF CHICKEN60rank/position

BUMP OF CHICKEN “Friend’s Song”

The song I want to listen to while reflecting on a friend I’m parting ways with is BUMP OF CHICKEN’s “Tomodachi no Uta” (“Song of Friends”).

The lyrics, written by Motoo Fujiwara as he thought of characters from works he loved since childhood, convey a clumsy yet warm sense of friendship, and the grand sound incorporating trumpet is sure to resonate deeply with men as well.

Released in February 2011 as their 19th single, this track moved many as the theme song for the film “Doraemon: Nobita and the New Steel Troops—Angel Wings.” It’s a song that wraps up the anxieties of a new departure and gently nudges you forward.

Even if you end up walking separate paths, it makes you believe the time you shared won’t disappear—a masterpiece filled with kindness.

We areONE OK ROCK61rank/position

ONE OK ROCK: We Are [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

An empowering anthem that stands by the anxieties and struggles of young people, powerfully singing the importance of living true to yourself! Taka from ONE OK ROCK delivers an emotionally rich vocal performance, and the fusion with the emotive melody creates a soul-stirring sound that leaves a lasting impression.

Featured on the album “Ambitions” and released in January 2017, this track was chosen as NHK’s soccer theme song and deeply moved many viewers.

It’s a warm song that supports and encourages not only students in the midst of their youth, but also those who feel unable to face societal pressures and surrounding prejudice, and those on the verge of losing their sense of self.

wedgeOku Hanako62rank/position

Kusabi (Wedge) by Hanako Oku

A signature ballad by Hanako Oku that depicts undying feelings for someone you can’t forget.

The delicate piano tones express the unfillable hollow and sense of loss after parting from a lover.

Hanako Oku’s crystal-clear voice gently sinks into the heart, doesn’t it? Sung since her indie days, this piece was released as a 10th-anniversary single in July 2015 and is also included on the album Prism.

Despite having no tie-ins, it resonated online and became a hidden gem, amassing a total of 15 million video views.

It’s a heartbreak song, but perfect for creating a moving, mellow atmosphere.

With few key changes and easy emotional delivery, why not choose it as a song to touch the heart of someone you care about?

somedaySaucy Dog63rank/position

Saucy Dog "Someday" MUSIC VIDEO

A straightforward, honest love song that brings the ache and poignancy of heartbreak right to your chest.

Through real-life scenes—like the deserted park at Tawarayama and the sloping road where you can see the starry sky—the memories woven together vividly portray feelings for a precious person you can never meet again.

Released in May 2017 as a track on the album “Country Road,” this piece gently embraces an unforgettable love with warm lyrics that blend in the local Shimane dialect.

Its softly resonant melody offers quiet comfort to those who want to hold their one-sided love close, and to those who can’t quite put an end to a past romance.