Unrequited Love Song Ranking in Japanese Music [2026]

Love’s Melody and Rainy SkiesAAA11rank/position

AAA / “Love Sound and Rainy Sky” Music Video

It’s a song that entrusts a frustrating, delicate love—too afraid of breaking to say even a single “I like you”—to the early autumn rainy sky.

Released as a single by AAA in September 2013 and also included on the album Eighth Wonder, it’s known for winning an Excellence Award at the 55th Japan Record Awards.

The members’ richly expressive vocals overlap, stirring a poignant ache in the chest.

When you’re troubled by that more-than-friends, not-quite-lovers distance, or on nights when caring so much makes you grow timid, listening might let the tears you’ve been holding back finally spill—and leave your heart feeling a little lighter.

You don’t listen to rock.aimyon12rank/position

Aimyon – You Don’t Listen to Rock [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

A signature song by Aimyon that blends the sweet tang and faint bitterness of youth, gripping listeners’ hearts and never letting go.

Released in August 2017 as her third single, this track portrays a clumsy crush: trying to convey one’s feelings to someone who isn’t into rock through a beloved record.

Many will likely see their younger selves in the earnest “I,” wishing to close even a little of the distance.

Upon release, it earned power-play rotation at 42 radio stations nationwide, catapulting her recognition.

When you’re wrestling with the frustration of unrequited love, why not listen to this song for a dose of courage?

Happinessback number13rank/position

Happiness / back number (cover)

Speaking of bittersweet love songs, you can’t leave out this track by back number.

She truly loves him, yet she sits by his side watching him fall for someone else… all while wishing for his happiness.

She’s probably just too kind, isn’t she? A love that can’t be put into words—what would you do?

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sasashina

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Hey,SHISHAMO14rank/position

SHISHAMO “Hey,”

SHISHAMO is a three-piece band with a solid, powerful sound and down-to-earth lyrics, leading the girls’ rock scene.

“Nee,” which opens their fifth album, SHISHAMO 5, was featured in a Calpis commercial and used as the theme song for ABEMA’s Today, I Fell in Love.

The lyrical storyline, conveying both the ache of unrequited love and the resolve to take a step forward, is perfect for spring, the season of new beginnings.

It’s a refreshing pop tune with a tight, guitar-driven, catchy ensemble that sticks in your ears.

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Hoshino Takashi

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wishsumika15rank/position

sumika / Wish [Music Video]

A song by sumika that portrays the bittersweet feelings of unrequited love and hope for the future.

The protagonist’s inner struggle—wishing happiness for the one they love while being unable to suppress their own feelings—is especially striking.

Released in December 2019 as the theme song for the drama “Ossan’s Love -in the sky-,” it reached No.

6 on the Oricon charts.

The music video has also been viewed over 20 million times, capturing the hearts of many.

It’s recommended not only for those wrestling with love, but also for anyone who wants to cherish the feeling of wishing someone else happiness.

Why not listen to this piece and face the “wish” that lies within you?

somedaySaucy Dog16rank/position

Saucy Dog "Someday" MUSIC VIDEO

This is a song by Saucy Dog that sings of a bittersweet love.

The lyrics, filled with youthful memories—like climbing a hill, gazing at the stars, and the moment of holding hands for the first time—resonate deeply.

Included on the mini-album “Country Road” released in May 2017, it later reached No.

95 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 in October 2021 following their performance on THE FIRST TAKE.

It has also become a popular track, surpassing 200 million streams.

Recommended for those who can relate to holding onto hope—“until the day we meet again”—even while carrying the pain of heartbreak.

Unrequited lovemiwa17rank/position

miwa 'Unrequited Love'

A ballad that portrays a heartrending love, seeping into the heart with its translucent vocals and the warm sound of the piano.

Included on the March 2012 album “guitarium,” it was selected as the ending theme for the music information program “saku saku” in February 2012.

The lyrics delicately express the feelings of a secret, unspoken crush and the bittersweet pain of being unable to get closer the more you care.

With a heartwarming melody that gently embraces the frustration of being unable to confess and the anxiety that everyone experiences when they fall in love, this song offers solace and support.

It’s a track we especially recommend to those who are keeping their feelings for someone special tucked away in their hearts.

I like you, but it seems you don’t really like me.back number18rank/position

I like you, but it seems you don't really like me / back number (cover)

As its straightforward title, “I Like You, But You Don’t Seem to Like Me,” suggests, this back number song expresses the feelings of confessing love only to be turned down.

Included on their fourth major studio album, Chandelier, released in 2015, the track was never released as a single yet remains highly popular among fans, and it even inspired the short film “Everything I Can Still Do for You.” Sung from a male perspective, it’s a heartrending piece that captures emotions that can’t be contained.

Because I fell in loveaimyon19rank/position

Aimyon “Because I Fell in Love” Studio Recording Scene

After a love ends, there are times when it feels like a gaping hole has opened in your heart, aren’t there? Only after losing it do you realize how precious it was, and your chest tightens with the ache of knowing you can’t go back.

On nights filled with that helpless feeling, the ballad included on Aimyon’s album “Momentary Sixth Sense” gently stays by your side.

Released in February 2019, the album features a simple sound centered on acoustic guitar.

It also drew attention as the campaign song for “LINE Xmas 2019.” In fact, this track was recorded in a single take in the studio.

That’s why you can truly feel the trembling breaths and the wavering of emotions.

If you listen alone in a quiet room, lost in memories, time that had stood still might begin to move again.

whiteoutreGretGirl20rank/position

reGretGirl "Whiteout" Official Music Video

This song starts off with hard rock, but the lyrics are really heart-wrenching.

It’s written from a male perspective, yet I’m sure many women can relate as well.

In the past, people would bring up breakups face-to-face, but these days it seems more common to use social media.

It’s lonely and sad, but I suppose romance changes with the times.

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Ozaki Shunji

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