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.
Playlist
| Anti-war songs that pierce the heart: Japan’s masterpieces conveying prayers for peace | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1east | Song of AugustHamada Shogo |  play_arrow | He, who is popular as a socially conscious musician… |
| 2east | Ryuka of PeaceSazan Ōrusutāzu |  play_arrow | SOUTHERN ALL STARS, with Keisuke Kuwata as the lead vocalist… |
| 3east | camphor treeFukuyama Masaharu |  play_arrow | The atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki Prefecture in 1945. |
| 4east | Rainbow-Colored WarSEKAI NO OWAR |  play_arrow | A poppy, lighthearted sound with a scathing question… |
| 5east | The contradiction of battleKumaki Anri |  play_arrow | The struggle with oneself, the contradictions of society, and the mean… |
| 6east | A flower blooming atop contradictionsMONGOL800 |  play_arrow | Singing to MONGOL800’s heavy, fast beat… |
| 7east | Muddy up to the waistHajime Chitose |  play_arrow | A story that slips in quietly yet pierces the heart with sharpness... |
| 8east | Sunflower “SUNWARD”Nakajima Miyuki |  play_arrow | The figure of a sunflower proudly blooming with vigor toward the sun... |
| 9east | The End of SummerMoriyama Naotaro |  play_arrow | “Natsu no Owari” is Naotaro Moriyama’s second... |
| 10east | world peaceSEKAI NO OWAR |  play_arrow | SEKA, known for its fantastical worldview… |
| 11east | The way homefrom00, Yuki., Misu |  play_arrow | A music project that brings together creators born in the Reiwa era… |
| 12east | No.9ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION |  play_arrow | An earnest prayer for peace within the intense sound... |
| 13east | blue skyTHE BLUE HEARTS |  play_arrow | Speaking of The Blue Hearts, they’re a domestic punk rock… |
| 14east | Horse Ridingthe HIATUS |  play_arrow | This work is the HIATUS’s 2013… |
| 15east | The sky of Hiroshimasadamasashi |  play_arrow | Produced in 1987, the commemorative album “Gekko (Moonbow)… |
| 16east | Love The WarzSEKAI NO OWAR |  play_arrow | To a fantastical sound, peace... |
| 17east | BelieveTanigawa Shuntarō (gasshōkyoku) |  play_arrow | In the works of Shuntaro Tanikawa, there are themes of “peace,” “anti-war… |
| 18east | Island SongTHE BOOM |  play_arrow | A representative of THE BOOM, a band from Okinawa… |
| 19east | Nobody is RightNakajima Miyuki |  play_arrow | Everyone believes in their own justice, and at times it… |
| 20east | IMAGINEImawano Kiyoshirō |  play_arrow | Speaking of songs that wish for peace, John Lennon's... |
| 21east | ImagineJohn Lennon & The Plastic Ono Band |  play_arrow | The famous song by John Lennon that goes without saying... |
| 22east | TriangleSMAP |  play_arrow | An anti-war song by the national idol group SMAP. Japan… |
| 23east | Nachikazanu Love SongSazan Ōrusutāzu |  play_arrow | Haruko Hara’s gentle singing voice and the scales of Okinawan folk music… |
| 24east | Smiles to the worldUinzu Hirasaka |  play_arrow | Beyond borders and language barriers, may the world be filled with kindness and lau... |
| 25east | About happinesssadamasashi |  | Masashi Sada, imbued with a strong prayer for peace... |
| 26east | dogwood (flowering dogwood)Hitoto Yo |  play_arrow | The multiple simultaneous ter... that occurred in the United States in 2001 |
| 27east | What the dead man left behindSakushi: Tanikawa Shuntarō / Sakkyoku: Takemitsu Tōru |  play_arrow | The a cappella piece with lyrics by Shuntaro Tanikawa and music by Toru Takemitsu… |
| 28east | angina pectorisRADWIMPS |  play_arrow | Among RADWIMPS’ songs, those about world peace and… |
| 29east | Hiroshima, River of LoveSakushi: Nakazawa Keiji sakushi / Sakkyoku: Yamamoto Katsuhiko |  play_arrow | Sing of the sorrow of the atomic bomb and the wish for peace |
| 30east | 1985THE BLUE HEARTS |  play_arrow | Legendary rock band, THE BLUE … |
| 31east | What A Wonderful WorldLouis Armstrong |  play_arrow | Because Louis Armstrong sang it... |
| 32east | Nightjar’s DreamDo As Infinity |  play_arrow | The male-female duo musical unit Do As Inf… |
| 33east | One more milerēzun |  play_arrow | The lyrics, which describe the futility and sadness of war, rea… |
| 34east | Imjin RiverThe Folk Crusaders |  play_arrow | Released in 1968, it was immediately pulled from sale… |
| 35east | Blowin’ In The WindBob Dylan |  play_arrow | The folk classic “Blowin’ In T… |
| 36east | Danny BoyAndi Uiriamusu |  play_arrow | This song originally comes from the Irish folk song “Lo…” |
| 37east | Hill Where You Can See DugongsCocco |  play_arrow | A mother-and-child pair of dugongs that appeared in Oura Bay, Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture… |
| 38east | Reason for LifeChris Hart |  play_arrow | This piece, also popular as a choral song, is “Life… |
| 39east | A Distant Christmassadamasashi |  play_arrow | It seems to be themed around the Iraq War… |
| 40east | We are the WorldUSA For Africa |  play_arrow | Mr. Michael Jackson, as well as Billy… |
| 41east | A world without tomorrowTakaishi Tomoya |  play_arrow | A Japanese artist known for the signature song “Examinee Blues” (Jukensei Blues)… |
| 42east | a pencilMisora Hibari |  play_arrow | A quintessential work of the Showa era released in 1974… |
| 43east | Don’t make the one you love sing.Moriyama Ryoko |  play_arrow | Lyrics and composition by Koichi Morita. Mr. Morita’s biogr… |
| 44east | Only by livingKiroro |  play_arrow | Back in 2005, when the lyrics became a hot topic for being “tear-jerking”… |
| 45east | The world calls it love.Sambomasutā |  play_arrow | Rock band Sambomaster’s wholehearted love and… |
| 46east | Heal The WorldMichael Jackson |  play_arrow | "Heal The World" is Ma... |
| 47east | NO WAR in the futureKeyakizaka 46 |  play_arrow | Songs wishing for peace are being sung in many different forms... |
| 48east | Karatachi Field PathZa Buumu |  play_arrow | The band TH, well known for songs like “Shima Uta,”… |
| 49east | Be The LightONE OK ROCK |  play_arrow | The hugely popular rock band, ONE OK ROC… |
| 50east | We must not forgive the atomic bomb.Kinoshita Koji |  play_arrow | In 1954, a hydrogen bomb test was conducted over Bikini Atoll... |
| 51east | Preparation for the countrySano Motoharu |  play_arrow | “Preparation for the Nation” was released in 2004… |
| 52east | Relay of Lifesango |  play_arrow | A gem of a song that conveys a wish for peace and the preciousness of life... |
| 53east | Becoming a Thousand WindsAkiyama Masashi |  play_arrow | Tenor singer Masafumi Akikawa’s song “A Thousand Winds… |
| 54east | From the hill with a cradleMr.Children |  play_arrow | This is Mr.Children’s “Yurika… |
| 55east | origami craneUmehara Shihei |  play_arrow | Singer-songwriter Shihei Umehara... |
| 56east | A NEW STYLE WARHamada Shogo |  play_arrow | Shogo Hamada, released in September 1986... |
| 57east | That person’s letterkaguya hime |  play_arrow | A precious person, sung by the folk group Kaguyahime… |
| 58east | Pathetic.Tonneruzu |  play_arrow | Produced in response to the Gulf War that occurred in 1990… |
| 59east | Strange WorldImawano Kiyoshirō |  play_arrow | Kiyoshiro Imawano has consistently taken an anti-war stance... |
| 60east | A world without tomorrowRC sakuseshon |  play_arrow | Various conflicts are occurring around the world, but… |
| 61east | Little Fat Man boyLM.C |  play_arrow | This is the rock unit LM.C’s Lilli… |
| 62east | The Vanished AugustSakushi: Eitani Atsuko / Sakkyoku: Kurosawa Yoshinori (Gasshōkyoku) |  play_arrow | There are many choral pieces that sing on the theme of war, and... |
| 63east | Peace and highlightSazan Ōrusutāzu |  play_arrow | The lyrics, which voiced concern over the state of global affairs, became a hot topic when... |
| 64east | mabatakiVaundy |  play_arrow | Vaundy’s song “mabataki…” |
| 65east | Sugarcane fieldNatsukawa Rimi |  play_arrow | What was said to be the harshest at the end of World War II… |
| 66east | Himeyuri ~Poem of the Lily~MONGOL800 |  play_arrow | When you hear “Himeyuri,” you may think of the Himeyuri Student Corps and hi… |
| 67east | heiwaRIZE |  play_arrow | RIZE’s anti-war message released in 2000… |
| 68east | Upon the boundless earthKatō Tokiko |  play_arrow | Tokiko Kato’s “On the Boundless Earth” is… |
| 69east | Song of ChintamakeNozaka Akiyuki |  play_arrow | The anti-war stance of Akiyuki Nosaka, the author of “Grave of the Fireflies”… |
| 70east | Only One,Only YouGLAY |  play_arrow | Twenty years as a visual kei rock band... |
| 71east | The War SongCulture Club |  play_arrow | Neuro... that was popular in the UK in the 1970s |
| 72east | Silent AfghanistanNagabuchi Tsuyoshi |  play_arrow | The terrorist attacks that occurred simultaneously in the United States in 2001… |
| 73east | We won’t fightAKB48 |  play_arrow | AKB48’s song released in 2015… |
| 74east | When the white lilies bloomAragaki Tsutomu |  play_arrow | Released in 2005, Miy… of THE BOOM |
| 75east | Whenever I’m sadMatsuda Hiroyuki |  play_arrow | One of Leiji Matsumoto’s representative works, set during World War II… |
| 76east | All Quiet on the Far Eastern FrontSōru Furawā Yunion |  play_arrow | A wide range beginning with the folk songs of Japan’s indigenous peoples… |
| 77east | Child of the devilHiguchi Ai |  play_arrow | Ai Higuchi’s song “Akuma no Ko” is, 20… |
| 78east | Suzukake Street, 3-chomeTaniyama Hiroko |  play_arrow | A singer-songwriter who draws attention for their fantastical worldview… |
| 79east | fireflySazan Ōrusutāzu |  play_arrow | Refreshing yet tinged with a certain melancholy and wistfulness... |
| 80east | Happy Xmas (War Is Over)John Lennon & Yoko Ono |  play_arrow | 1 in the context of the global situation under the Vietnam War... |
| 81east | Hey Kazuyuzu |  play_arrow | As a leading figure among musicians from the streets… |
| 82east | Children Who Don’t Know WarJirōzu |  play_arrow | The f... who was active from the 1960s to the 1970s |
| 83east | Prayersadamasashi |  play_arrow | Major debut as the folk duo Grape… |
| 84east | INORI ~Prayer~Kumiko |  play_arrow | Kumiko, who debuted as a chanson singer... |
| 85east | War & PeaceSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | In March 2023, they sadly passed away… |
| 86east | Song of the Uzikariyushi 58 |  play_arrow | Depicting the hearts of the people living in Okinawa—their gentleness… |
| 87east | Our Yamatohannya |  play_arrow | Commands overwhelming popularity in the domestic hip-hop scene… |
| 88east | Wake Me Up (When This Nightmare’s Over)Simple Plan |  play_arrow | I hope the conflicts happening around the world end as soon as possible... |
| 89east | The King’s Missilekaminarigumo |  play_arrow | At the time, the guitarist of Kaminari Gumo, who was still a student... |
| 90east | Where Have All the Flowers Gone?Mr.Children |  play_arrow | It carries the sentiment of “Let’s absolutely put an end to war.” |
| 91east | In the country where Hiroshima isGasshou Kyoku |  play_arrow | It directly connects, for Japan, with the image of war… |
| 92east | Across timeHY |  play_arrow | Sending many heart-wrenching love songs out into the world… |
| 93east | Soul Dier feat.SORASANZENOZROSAURUS |  play_arrow | Member departures and label changes by original members a… |
| 94east | 8.6HUSKING BEE |  play_arrow | Emo/screamo in the Japanese rock scene… |
| 95east | flower ~Anti-War Flower~THE toraburyū |  play_arrow | A sad episode caused by war... |
| 96east | Grandma’s TearsCojaco |  play_arrow | Cojaco’s “…” imbued with prayers for peace |
| 97east | Message — Kotodute (oral message)Porunogurafiti |  play_arrow | A ballad by Porno Graffitti imbued with a prayer for peace |
| 98east | Before the Generation of LoveHamada Shogo |  play_arrow | A powerful anti-... by Shogo Hamada from Hiroshima Prefecture |
| 99east | Lesson IKagawa Ryo |  play_arrow | Folk singer Ryo Kagawa in 1971... |
| 100east | Invisible Sunporisu |  play_arrow | People living in war-ravaged and impoverished countries see… |
| 101east | Message — kotodute —Porunogurafiti | play_arrow | A song by Porno Graffitti imbued with their thoughts on peace |
| 102east | Black RainKojya Misako |  play_arrow | Scattering due to the explosion when the atomic bomb was dropped... |
| 103east | Dead girlHajime Chitose |  play_arrow | A backlash against songs that depicted an unbearably sad reality just as it is… |
| 104east | Younger Brother of the Vast SkyFukurai Suzuko |  play_arrow | This song sung by Ms. Suzuko Fukurai reflects the impact of the war… |
| 105east | Pigeons of the RuinsZa Taigāsu |  | Known by the nickname “Julie,” and still active in music... |
| 106east | cobalt blueThe Back Horn |  play_arrow | THE BACK HO… imbued with anti-war sentiments |
| 107east | No more warGReeeeN |  play_arrow | Since their debut with songs like “Ai Uta” and “Kiseki,” they have released numerous... |
| 108east | The crested ibis cries.Porunogurafiti |  play_arrow | Abe is Crying by Porno Graffitti is a He... |
| 109east | For Whom the Alchemist ExistsMr.Children |  play_arrow | In the J-POP scene, something that everyone can feel familiar with… |
| 110east | I don’t know war.The Folk Crusaders |  play_arrow | Also known by the abbreviation “Forcle,” they made their debut… |
| 111east | Song of HopeMISIA |  play_arrow | MI, who continues to captivate the public with her overwhelming singing voice… |
| 112north_east | RussiansSting |  play_arrow | Forming the rock band The Police, and various... |
| 113south_east | War and the Girl (Prod. Nujabes)ZORN |  play_arrow | A profound musical work that conveys memories of war |
| 114east | A single petal of cherry blossomMISIA |  play_arrow | The yearning for peace entrusted to the cherry blossom petals grips my heart... |
| 115east | Lesson 1Kagawa Ryo |  play_arrow | A gentle, conversational singing voice and a simple, rustic guitar… |
| 116east | At the foot of the rainbowHajime Chitose |  play_arrow | Ms. Chitose Hajime, who is also active as an Amami folk singer... |
| 117east | Dashing! RasputinZa Rīsaru Weponzu |  play_arrow | A two-person rock duo by a Japanese and an American |
| 118east | ReplyTakeuchi Mariya |  play_arrow | City pop from Japan, which is being reevaluated around the world... |
| 119east | Camphor Tree — Blown by 500 Years of Wind —Fukuyama Masaharu |  play_arrow | Vitality of life and a prayer for peace |
| 120east | Far from Kyivsadamasashi |  play_arrow | Masashi Sada’s anti-war song renews our feelings for Ukraine |
| 121east | Waist Deep in the Big MuddyPete Seeger |  play_arrow | Pete Seeger released “Lily…” in 1967… |
| 122east | THE WAR SONGYamashita Tatsuro |  play_arrow | An exhilarating s... woven by funk and soul |
| 123east | The way homeYūki., Misu |  play_arrow | “A Reiwa-era anti-war song made by people born in the 2000s” co… |
| 124east | What’s Going OnMarvin Gaye |  play_arrow | “What’s Going On” is a ma… |
| 125east | Hiroshima I always used to seeyoshida takurou |  play_arrow | Like rock and folk in J-pop… |
| 126east | In Francine’s CaseShintani Noriko |  play_arrow | On the streets of Paris in protest against the Vietnam War… |
| 127east | Hiroshima Peace SongSakushi: Shigezono Yoshio / Sakkyoku: Yamamoto Shuu |  play_arrow | The history of choral songs wishing for peace in Hiroshima |
| 128east | Happy Xmas（War Is Over）Awich |  play_arrow | Containing a message opposing the Vietnam War… |
| 129east | messageaobouzu |  play_arrow | Released in 2010, the 10th single by Aobozu… |
| 130east | Where Have All the Flowers Gone?Katō Tokiko |  play_arrow | Tokiko Kato releases an anti-war song imbued with her desire for peace |
| 131east | Fight the nightONE OK ROCK |  play_arrow | ONE OK ROCK released in 2015… |
| 132east | BeginnersSogabe Keiichi |  play_arrow | Also active as the vocalist of Sunny Day Service… |
| 133east | Outdated Rock ’n’ Roll BandKuwata Keisuke feat. Sano Motoharu, Sera Masanori, Char, Noguchi Goro |  play_arrow | I hope a peaceful world without conflict will come... |
| 134east | rainbowBLUE ENCOUNT |  play_arrow | Among BLUE ENCOUNT’s songs,… |
| 135east | CHILDREN IN THE WARGLAY |  play_arrow | Borrowing the voice of a nameless flower blooming in the desert, the war… |
| 136east | WarBruce Springsteen |  play_arrow | An artist who represents American rock and... |
| 137east | Too Young To DieJamiroquai |  play_arrow | Jay Kay, known as a vocalist, … |