[2026] Tear-jerking songs trending on YouTube Shorts. Recommended J-pop

Have you ever been scrolling through YouTube Shorts and suddenly come across a song that grips your heart?Even though it’s just a few dozen seconds long, the vocals or lyrics pierce your heart and bring you to tears—many people have probably had that experience.Because the clips are short, a hook or a single phrase sticks powerfully in your memory, and when you listen to the full version, an even deeper wave of emotion washes over you—that’s one of the charms of J-pop.In this article, we’ll introduce a wide range of tear-jerking J-pop songs you might hear on YouTube Shorts, from trending hits to long-loved classics.We hope you’ll find a new favorite song.

Playlist

[2026] Tear-jerking songs trending on YouTube Shorts. Recommended J-pop
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	catDISH//		A poignant song about lingering feelings for an ex-lover who became a cat and the wish to meet again
2	lulu.Mrs. GREEN APPLE		Frieren Season 2 OP expresses loss and time
3	waxing; filling up; becoming full; growing (e.g., the moon growing fuller)Fuji Kaze		Fujii Kaze’s movie theme song ballad
4	lilacMrs. GREEN APPLE		A song packed with the urgency and brilliance of youth
5	Because I like you.Yuika		Yuika’s debut work, portraying the frustration of mutual feelings
6	hundreds of millions of light-yearsOmoinotake		Omoinotake’s famous song about long-distance love
7	evening primroseNovelbright		Introducing heartbreak love ballads
8	Suzume feat. ToakaRADWIMPS		Theme song of Suzume
9	It’s fine for now.Kotoha		An inspiring song whose gentle singing voice heals the heart.
10	Love WindIkuta Rira		Lila Ikuta’s solo song that depicts the beginning of love
11	ROSEHANA		Accept the scars and move forward
12	Only a single voicerokudenashi		You don’t have to push yourself—a song wrapped in kindness.
13	JANE DOEYonezu Kenshi, Utada Hikaru		A duet ballad by Kenshi Yonezu and Hikaru Utada
14	Love songMarushii		A ballad that straightforwardly expresses Marcy’s words of love
15	Spring ThiefYorushika		Yorushika’s heartrending vocals pierce deeply into my heart.
16	If you call it loveUru		A moving love ballad about reclaiming our bond
17	CorrectRADWIMPS		A gemlike ballad by RADWIMPS. It conveys the dignity of choosing one’s own path.
18	Cinderella BoySaucy Dog		The pain of being unable to break off a convenient love
19	LeoYuuri		A dog’s-eye portrayal of the bond and moving moments with its owner
20	About meMrs. GREEN APPLE		A song of courage to overcome life's hardships
21	Love is litrokudenashi		A good-for-nothing ballad, a heartwarming song
22	I miss youRADWIMPS		Ten years after the earthquake disaster, pure feelings for those we lost
23	budKobukuro		Thoughts for my mother and a positive message
24	Amanojaku – Wing Piano Ver.Akie Akie		164 ballads by Akie Akie
25	Because you are hereUru		Warm singing voice and lyrics that think of a loved one
26	Letter to TomorrowTeshima Aoi		Aoi Teshima’s moving song that sings of hope for the future
27	spin; weave; compose (e.g., a story)tota		A song of grief and hope for a dearly loved one lost
28	leap day personRADWIMPS		An emotional movie theme song by RADWIMPS that sings of the preciousness of life.
29	smileAnly		A song that faces forward with a smile even in tough times
30	SoranjiMrs. GREEN APPLE		A song about not losing hope and believing in your own worth
31	sasanqua (Camellia sasanqua)SEKAI NO OWARI		A moving song that stands by those who chase their dreams
32	Until we meet againHirai Dai		A moving song by Dai Hirai about parting and bonds
33	Even if I’m not thereHirai Dai		Hirai Dai’s grand love song for the future is moving.