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!
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Masterpieces Produced by Yasushi Akimoto | A Comprehensive Showcase from Idol Songs to Moving Hits! (51–60)
Labrador RetrieverAKB48
AKB48’s summer songs are something all the fans look forward to.
Past summer releases like “Manatsu no Sounds good!” and “Everyday, Kachuusha” are still passed down as legendary tracks.
Carrying those high expectations, the 2014 summer song “Labrador Retriever” was released, with the eternal beauty Mayu Watanabe as the center.
Aki-P’s gaze feels gentle as he likens a beautiful summer encounter to a labrador retriever.
The restrained, youthful motifs—perhaps they reflect Aki-P’s feelings for Mayu Watanabe.
The composition is by Manabu Marutani, who teamed up with Aki-P on works like “Eien Pressure” and “Heart Ereki.” It’s a song you want to listen to when summer arrives.
You’ll make a fool of yourself when you fall in love.AKB48
Mikuru Tanabe, a member of AKB48, is from Omihachiman City in Shiga Prefecture.
She participated in Team B’s song “Koi wo Suru to Baka wo Miru,” included on AKB48’s 44th major single “Tsubasa wa Iranai,” which was released in 2016.
In 2011, she was appointed as Shiga Prefecture’s Hometown Traffic Safety Ambassador.
STARSNakajima Mika
Mika Nakashima’s debut single “STARS” was actually written by Yasushi Akimoto.
Released in 2001, “STARS” was used as the theme song for the drama “Kizudarake no Love Song,” in which Nakashima also appeared, and it peaked at No.
3 on the Oricon singles chart, marking her best sales.
The song sparked the creation of numerous iconic ballads and helped define Nakashima’s career.
In 2021, Akimoto and Nakashima teamed up again for the first time in about 20 years to release “Shiritai Koto, Shiritakunai Koto,” which drew significant attention.
Rainy NishiazabuTonneruzu
The phrase “flying so high they could knock birds out of the sky” fits perfectly for Tunnels in this era.
Not only were they hilarious as a comedy duo, but they were everywhere on TV, and they even debuted as singers, with every song becoming a huge hit.
This song, ‘Ame no Nishi-Azabu’ (Rainy Nishi-Azabu), released in 1985 as their fifth single, marked a complete shift in mood from their previous releases and showcased a new side of them—singing enka! You can also enjoy the signature Tunnels flair in the way they change up the spoken interludes each time and exaggerate their vocal ornamentation, making it enka yet distinctly Tunnels.
Masterpieces Produced by Yasushi Akimoto | A Comprehensive Showcase from Idol Songs to Moving Hit Tracks (61–70)
I like you.AKB48
It’s a perfect, high-energy track to play while having a barbecue or hanging out at the beach.
It’s not just cute—it also has a subtle coolness, and the up-tempo vibe makes it a joy to listen to and sing along with.
Definitely give it a spin when you want everyone to get hyped together.
Halloween NightAKB48
Disco, which developed in the United States in the 1960s and reached its peak in Japan during the bubble era of the 1980s.
In “Halloween Night,” set to sounds that evoke that time, the lively scene of a disco is depicted alongside a young man who chases after someone he likes, wanders into the disco by mistake, and panics alone.
For those who remember the heyday of the bubble, it will feel nostalgic, while for younger generations born afterward, it will feel very fresh.
marine snowjero
Jero’s debut song, which drew attention for his enka spirit inherited from his Japanese grandmother.
Released in 2008, it’s captivating for the way its emotional, cool rock sound harmonizes with enka.
It’s a classic enka piece, full of aching, unrequited feelings set against the winter scenery of the Sea of Japan.
Despite being a debut, it won the 41st Japan Lyricist Award.
Set in Izumozaki Town in Niigata Prefecture and told from a woman’s perspective, the lyrics and the theme of longing love were apparently exactly what Akimoto was aiming for.
The contrast and impact likely contributed to its success as well.
Above all, Jero’s passionate singing is just wonderful!
