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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[Anti-war songs that pierce the heart] Prayers for peace conveyed by Japan’s masterpieces (41–50)
Don’t make the one you love sing.Moriyama Ryoko
Lyrics and composition by Koichi Morita.
It’s said to have been created using Morita’s upbringing as a motif.
When Morita and Moriyama were performing concerts together for a long time, it was apparently their connection that he let Moriyama hear this song.
The sorrow of losing a father in the war is also expressed here.
Only by livingKiroro
Released in 2005, this song became a hot topic for its “tear-inducing” lyrics and is a message song that Kiroro delivered to the world, dedicated to all living beings.
While the lyrics express gratitude to one’s parents, they also convey the deeper essence—the beauty and moving power of “living.” It’s not a direct anti-war song, but within its wish for peace lies the idea that people around the world should all be able to live equally.
The world calls it love.Sambomasutā
This one song by the rock band Sambomaster, where they shout love and peace with everything they’ve got.
The lineage of LOVE & PEACE from John Lennon is carried straight into a gritty modern rock sound—the lyrics are unbelievably cool.
Their wholehearted performance singing about love and peace is deeply moving, making it a song with a powerful message.
Heal The WorldMichael Jackson
“Heal The World” was written and composed by Michael Jackson himself.
In the promotional video, children of various races suffering from civil wars, government oppression, racism, and poverty are depicted, along with soldiers who discard their weapons and awaken to peace.
Inspired by the release of this work, he established the Heal the World Foundation in 1992.
NO WAR in the futureKeyakizaka 46
Songs that wish for peace are sung in many different ways.
This song, which could be called their anti-war anthem, really excites the crowd at live shows, and it’s wonderful that it’s being properly delivered to people of a generation that doesn’t know war.
Of course, even the members themselves see war as something from the distant past.
But I hope they keep singing these feelings of longing for peace—not just for Japan, but to the whole world.
Karatachi Field PathZa Buumu
This is a gentle song by THE BOOM—also known for tracks like “Shima Uta”—that seems to evoke the scenery of Japan.
The band’s sound, featuring the tones of shamisen and taiko drums, is striking and conveys a deep affection for the country of Japan.
The lyrics speak of having experienced great sorrow and strongly wishing that such sorrow will never occur again.
It’s a tender piece that expresses hopes for a peaceful world to continue and for the landscape before us to remain unspoiled.
Be The LightONE OK ROCK
This is the song “Be The Light,” released in 2013 by the hugely popular rock band ONE OK ROCK.
It’s a gentle track that seems to embrace the immense sorrow born from war and disasters.
It has also received a strong response from overseas.
While sorrow never ceases, it’s wonderful that there are songs that can ease it, even just a little.
