Ranking of Heart-Wrenching Songs by Male J-Pop Singers [2026]

Let me hear the poetry of the wind.Kuwata Keisuke85rank/position

Keisuke Kuwata – Let Me Hear the Poem of the Wind (Short ver.)

When you think of summer, many people immediately think of Southern All Stars! This song, however, is a solo number by the band’s vocalist, Keisuke Kuwata.

Featuring a refreshing, summery melody, it was used as the theme song for the film “Life: Tengoku de Kimi ni Aetara,” starring Takao Osawa.

While Southern All Stars and Kuwata are often associated with fiery, high-energy summer anthems, this track is a bittersweet summer song that overlaps the end of summer with the end of life.

Why does the end of summer make us feel so melancholic? Summer is a season when we make countless happy memories, and life, too, ends surrounded by many memories.

Set to a melody full of summer vibes, the song lets you feel both of those tender sadnesses.

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SAKI

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Sakura (Solo)Moriyama Naotaro86rank/position

Naotaro Moriyama – Sakura (Solo)

As of 2018, this song is still sung at graduation ceremonies.

Many people came to know Naotaro Moriyama through this piece.

Although there is a choral version as a single’s coupling track, the version sung at graduation ceremonies is the solo version.

The End of SummerMoriyama Naotaro87rank/position

Naotaro Moriyama – Natsuno Owari

A classic summer song sung by Naotaro Moriyama, famous for “Sakura.” Just as the title suggests, it’s best listened to at the end of summer! Summer is full of festivals and events—a perfect season to make lots of memories with family, friends, and loved ones.

That bittersweet feeling after those joyful moments come to an end is something everyone has experienced, isn’t it? This is a song that gently embraces those tender, wistful emotions.

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SAKI

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If being alive is painfulMoriyama Naotaro88rank/position

Naotaro Moriyama – If Being Alive Is Painful

This is a single released in 2008.

It came about when Naotaro, while helping a friend move, happened to find a sheet of paper with a poem written on it at the home of his friend, the poet Ochanomizu Kado.

It’s a song that earnestly faces life, and it carries particular conviction because it’s by Naotaro Moriyama, who continues to sing about delicate human emotions as well as bright, life-affirming themes.

Although some of its expressions sparked mixed reactions, they don’t come from a place of apathy; rather, they seem to convey a wish for listeners to take a brief, comforting pause.

Precisely because times can be tough, a song that fully stays with your despair or heavy feelings can be a source of solace.

It’s a song that feels like it accepts you just as you are.

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KEI

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cherry blossomKawaguchi Kyogo89rank/position

Kyogo Kawaguchi – Sakura

Kawaguchi himself said that the release of this song was postponed to December 2003 because it overlapped with “Sakura (Dokusho).” It’s also well known that this isn’t a graduation song; it was written for a commercial song competition using Doraemon, and the song was composed with Doraemon and Nobita in mind.

MelodyTamaki Kōji90rank/position

Melody by Koji Tamaki

On a comedic variety show, they were chosen by professionals as the best singer.

This is the song that really made me feel that.

The song says that living together as a couple is the greatest happiness, and nothing else is needed.

Whenever this song plays, there’s always at least one person nearby who ends up in tears.

HELLOFukuyama Masaharu91rank/position

Masaharu Fukuyama / HELLO [PV]

Speaking of Masaharu Fukuyama, he’s not only a singer but also extremely active as an actor.

His popularity isn’t limited to Japan, either.

He also has many hit songs.

“HELLO” is one of them—a wonderful track that sings of romance.