Anti-war songs that pierce the heart: Japan’s masterpieces conveying prayers for peace
Music sometimes has the power to move people’s hearts and exert a great influence on society.
Among such works, anti-war songs imbued with wishes for peace have appealed across generations, conveying both the horrors of war and the preciousness of peace to many.
The anti-war songs etched into Japan’s musical history contain profound messages that we who live today must never forget.
In this article, we highlight Japanese anti-war songs—focusing mainly on popular Japanese music—and explain the backgrounds of the tracks and the sentiments embedded in their lyrics.
We invite you to take this opportunity to reflect anew on war and peace.
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Antiwar Songs That Pierce the Heart: Prayers for Peace Conveyed by Japan’s Masterpieces (31–40)
Danny BoyAndi Uiriamusu
This song sets lyrics to a melody originally known as the Irish folk tune “Londonderry Air.” The lyrics are said to express the feelings of a parent thinking of a child going off to war.
Listening to this song makes one feel that children must never be sent to war.
It has been performed by many artists.
Hill Where You Can See DugongsCocco
This is a song that was sung for two parent-and-child dugongs that appeared in Oura Bay, Nago City, Okinawa, and it drew great attention at the time.
It expresses a wish for a clean environment in Okinawa—Cocco’s beloved homeland—where dugongs can continue to live, and for peace in the future.
Reason for LifeChris Hart
This song, also popular as a choral piece, is “Inochi no Riyū” (The Reason for Life).
It was written and composed by Masashi Sada, and this is the version covered by Chris Hart.
Lately, not only wars but also many tragic incidents that take lives have been happening.
This is an important song that reminds us there is no such thing as a life born without meaning.
A Distant Christmassadamasashi
It is said to be inspired by the Iraq War.
Every line sinks into the heart, with a depth that startles you.
There’s an anxiety that the happiness before our eyes might one day be shattered, and a fear that such things are happening close by.
It resembles today’s state of the world, and I feel a strong message confronting a real, present-day problem.
We are the WorldUSA For Africa
A famous song known for the participation of a star-studded lineup including Michael Jackson, Billy Joel, and Bob Dylan.
Released in 1985, it was a campaign song created by members who came together to address hunger and poverty in Africa.
The song brought widespread global awareness to the situation in Africa at the time, conveyed the wish for a peaceful future to many listeners, and inspired action—making it a truly great work.
[Anti-war songs that pierce the heart] Prayers for peace conveyed by Japan’s masterpieces (41–50)
A world without tomorrowTakaishi Tomoya
Tomoya Takaishi, a pioneer of folk music in Japan known for his signature song “Examination Student Blues.” “A World Without Tomorrow” is a track included on his third folk album, “Boy, Don’t Grow Up,” released in 1969.
The original song is Barry McGuire’s “Eve of Destruction,” and it is also known through RC Succession’s cover.
The original’s lyrics depict scenes so brutal that the song was once banned from broadcast, and Takaishi’s version is rendered as if he were speaking directly to the listener.
It is utterly unacceptable that such conditions still apply even after so many years.
Singing anti-war songs and listening to them are also forms of expression, reminding us of the importance of continuing to raise our voices.
a pencilMisora Hibari
A quintessential anti-war song of the Showa era, released in 1974.
It’s a classic that continues to be sung at the Hiroshima Peace Music Festival.
There aren’t many songs that convey an anti-war message so simply and directly.
I really hope you listen closely to the lyrics.
Her voice seems to further convey the importance and poignancy of this song.
I want it to reach not only Japan, but people all over the world.
That’s the kind of song it is.
