Masterpieces Produced by Yasushi Akimoto: A Comprehensive Showcase from Idol Anthems to Heartfelt Hits!
Yasushi Akimoto, who began his career as a broadcast writer and helped turn groups like Tunnels and Onyanko Club into hits.
Since the 2000s, he has further expanded his activities by producing AKB48 and the Sakamichi groups and providing songs.
In recent years, he has also focused on television drama production and has been active across various fields, but for music lovers, his work as a lyricist is perhaps the most striking aspect.
In this article, we introduce songs that Akimoto has produced or written lyrics for—from culture-shaping killer tunes to mass-appeal hits and hidden gems!
- [80s Graduation Songs] Nostalgic Classics & Hits That Have Become Standards
- Pick-up of famous lyricists who left their mark on the history from Showa-era kayokyoku to J-POP!
- [Unrequited Love] Heart-wrenching Love Songs | A Roundup of Tear-Inducing Crush and Breakup Tracks
- HKT48’s classic and popular songs
- [2026] A roundup of famous and popular songs produced by Yasutaka Nakata
- [2026] A collection of famous songs produced and composed by Tetsuro Oda
- A collection of smash-hit songs he composed! Katsuo Ohno’s most popular tracks ranked
- A Must-See for Those in Their 20s: A Collection of Youthful Songs That Bring Back School Days
- Autumn songs that were hits in the ’90s. Classic and popular tracks in Japanese music.
- [2026] A collection of autumn songs for people in their 50s. Showa-era classics that bring back memories of those days
- [Tearjerker] Songs that make your heart tremble with tears & moving tracks with lyrics that touch the soul
- [A Cheer for Myself] A pep song dedicated to you who are doing your very best
- Akiko Okamura’s classic and popular songs
Masterpieces Produced by Yasushi Akimoto | A Comprehensive Showcase from Idol Songs to Moving Hits! (21–30)
InfluencerNogizaka 46
Released in 2017 as Nogizaka46’s 17th single.
The song features Mai Shiraishi and Nanase Nishino in the center positions, and its lyrics depict a single-minded love—“I’m influenced by every little move of the one I love”—expressed through a metaphor of the relationship between stars.
Your name is hopeNogizaka 46
This is a Nogizaka46 song characterized by beautiful, piano-centered melodies and a crystal-clear vocal tone.
It carefully portrays the inner transformation of a protagonist who has felt lonely, gradually discovering meaning in life and hope through meeting someone dear.
Released in March 2013, this work became a key track in establishing Nogizaka46’s refined image.
In 2016, it was also adopted as the departure melody at Tokyo Metro’s Chiyoda Line “Nogizaka” Station, bringing it to the ears of many.
It’s a song to listen to when you feel lost in life or when you want to express gratitude for meeting someone special.
Oh, early summer rainSakurazaka46
Sakurazaka46, which changed its name from Keyakizaka46 in 2020, released “Samidare yo” as their fourth single in 2022.
Chosen as the commercial song for AEON Card, it reached No.
1 on both the Oricon and Billboard charts.
The lyrics poignantly compare fickle feelings of love to “samidare,” the early-summer rains of the rainy season.
The track is striking for its intro that begins with a powerful solo by center Ten Yamasaki, then builds into a pop tune as the members’ vocals layer and the sound expands.
365 Days’ Paper AirplaneAKB48
An unusual song credited to AKB48 in which Sayaka Yamamoto from the different team NMB48 served as center.
Fans of Yamamoto, who had long been praised for her vocal ability, reportedly cheered, saying, “It’s about time!” There’s even an anecdote that Akimoto had been considering it for some time, saying, “Someday I’ll make a song with Yamamoto as the center.” The song was also chosen as the theme for the NHK morning drama series Asa ga Kita.
In that sense, it became a truly nationwide hit, supported not only by idol fans but by people of all ages.
Yasushi Akimoto’s writing—likening a person’s life to an unsteady paper airplane—is exquisite, and this track once again made me feel the power of Akimoto’s craft.
Please meet me again.Keyakizaka46
“Please Meet Me Again” is a coupling track from Keyakizaka46’s 2016 single “Sekai ni wa Ai Shika Nai.” The single topped various charts, including Oricon.
“Please Meet Me Again” is a solo song by member Neru Nagahama that portrays the heart-fluttering feelings of first love.
The music video was filmed in Nagasaki, Nagahama’s hometown, and features locations that evoke Nagasaki, such as Hashima (Gunkanjima) and Meganebashi (Spectacles Bridge).
Girls’ RuleNogizaka 46
It’s also famous as the song where Rina Ikoma, Nogizaka’s immovable center, yielded her position, and it’s particularly popular among fans.
The center for this track was Mai Shiraishi, known as “Mainyan.” Considering how popular Shiraishi later became, it’s striking how much foresight Akimoto had.
The lyrics—“Let’s enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime youth just among us girls.
We have our own rules, after all.”—are breathtaking as a coming-of-age tale.
Akimoto’s talent for capturing a maiden’s heart in words that defy expression seems truly bottomless.
The composition is by Koji Goto, who has worked on many songs for the 48 Group.
Among Goto’s works, I love HKT48’s ‘Chain of love’! Please check that one out too!
Horse of YouthHinatazaka46
Hinatazaka46 is an idol group widely loved for their natural happy aura and variety appeal.
“Seishun no Uma,” a song often performed at their live shows, is full of energy, and the members’ passionate performance gives you courage.
It’s one of Akimoto’s more powerful lyrics.
The members embody the strong words with their whole being, looking so cool as they help you push through when you’re tired from a long journey or on the verge of giving up.
It’s also very popular as a fight song and a youth anthem, and its driving tempo lifts your spirits as you listen!
