Still packed with timeless classics! A roundup of 1970s Japanese graduation songs
As graduation season approaches, do you ever find yourself wanting to listen to old songs for some reason? Japanese music from the 1970s is full of classics about partings and new beginnings.
Chats with friends, tender first loves, and the mix of excitement and anxiety about the road ahead—songs from that era delicately weave together the complex emotions of youth.
In this article, we’re introducing 70s tracks perfect for graduation season.
We’ve picked a wide range, from songs directly about graduation to pieces that evoke the coming of spring and the brilliance of youth.
Let the nostalgic melodies wash over you as you gently trace back your memories of those days.
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Still packed with timeless classics! A roundup of Japanese graduation songs from the 1970s (41–50)
Love Dial 6700Fingā 5
A signature song by Finger 5 that evokes a Japanese-style Jackson 5—and a massive hit.
It was released in 1973, but it still plays on TV and in commercials, so most people have probably heard it at least once.
Back then, the sunglasses worn by member Akira—known as “tonbo megane” (dragonfly glasses)—became a huge fad and were hard to get.
In today’s terms, it really “went viral.” The lyrics are pure and cute: a boy wanting to somehow confess to his crush before graduation.
For the generation raised on smartphones, “What’s a dial?” might be the reaction.
Still packed with timeless classics! A roundup of 1970s Japanese graduation songs (51–60)
THE END If we meet unexpectedlyfoorību su
Despite disbanding after the relatively short span of just ten years from their record debut, the idol group Four Leaves remains a name passed down through the years.
Their 38th single, “THE END – If We Should Meet Unexpectedly -,” is a memorable track whose intro layers a wistful guitar riff over a piano-and-strings ensemble.
The lyrics, which look back on youthful love, evoke a feeling of melancholy while still suggesting a determination to face forward.
It’s a sentimental pop tune—pop in style yet suffused with sorrow.
school daysPegī Hayama
Peggy Hayama’s “Gakusei Jidai” (“Student Days”) continues to be cherished as a classic graduation song.
Since Peggy Hayama graduated from Aoyama Gakuin, it’s said that the lyrics refer to Aoyama Gakuin.
With its heartwarming melody, the song vividly portrays various memories from school life and, as an anthem of encouragement for children at the moment of graduation, it remains beloved by many to this day.
era; age; time; periodNakajima Miyuki
Released in 1975, this is a huge hit by Miyuki Nakajima, Japan’s original diva, and a timeless classic that is still sung today.
It appears in music textbooks and was also selected for the “100 Best Japanese Songs.” Its lyric—“In times of hardship or joy, every era will someday become a fond memory”—is an eternal message that will never fade.
Many artists who share this sentiment, including Keisuke Kuwata and Hiroko Yakushimaru, have covered the song.
It’s a track you’ll want to listen to as you graduate—from school, or even from a company or workplace—while holding many feelings in your heart.
interaction; friendly contact; bondingNakamura Masatoshi
It’s one of Masatoshi Nakamura’s hit songs, which was also used as an insert song in a TV drama starring Nakamura himself.
In the show, he plays a teacher who sings this song by a campfire; its lyrics about how people can’t live alone resonate with the drama’s theme, making it a song many people recall at graduation.
You Are the One Who Rings That BellWada Akiko
Akiko Wada’s “Ano Kane wo Narasu no wa Anata” is an immortal classic that colors the farewells of graduation.
Released in 1972, the song won the Best Vocal Performance at that year’s Japan Record Awards.
Its timeless vocal power and strong message continue to resonate with many people.
It has been covered by numerous popular artists, and even decades after its release, it remains beloved across generations.
The reason it continues to be sung is likely because Akiko Wada powerfully expresses the emotions of parting and new departures—experiences shared by everyone.
Et ceteraŌba Kumiko
Drawing from her experience overcoming panic disorder, singer Kumiko Ōba now also works as a psychological counselor.
Her EP Etcetera, released on June 5, 1978, lifts your spirits with its striking guitar riff intro and an ensemble featuring a brass section.
The lyrics evoke the feeling of being unable to take that first step toward someone you like, hinting that a graduation ceremony might become an even more special day.
It’s a catchy pop tune whose funky arrangement still sounds fresh today.