A song to support recovery from the earthquake disaster. Connecting a circle of reconstruction support through music [Ganbarō Nippon / Let’s keep going, Japan].
[To everyone affected by the earthquake off the eastern coast of Aomori Prefecture in 2025] We extend our heartfelt sympathies to all who have been impacted by this earthquake.
Earthquakes are one of the natural disasters that cannot be avoided as long as we live in Japan.
Many large earthquakes have occurred in the past, bringing great sorrow and hardship.
Yet each time, support has arrived not only from within Japan but from around the world.
Among these recovery efforts, there has been a great deal of support through music, with musicians across the globe releasing many songs filled with hopes for recovery from the disaster.
“May music help even one more disaster survivor regain their strength…” In this article, we introduce a selection of such songs that embody this sincere wish.
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Recovery support songs for the earthquake disaster. A circle of recovery support connected through music [Ganbarou Nippon] (1–10)
Path of HopeGasshou Kyoku
Hope Road was created as a song for the recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Inspired by a hometown revitalization project planned by schoolchildren, the lyrics were written by Ruri Echigo.
The song depicts the state of the town at the time of the disaster and portrays people helping one another despite difficult circumstances.
The students’ layered choral singing conveys their feelings toward recovery from the earthquake.
It is a piece that both engraves an unforgettable event in our hearts and teaches the importance of stepping forward toward a brighter future.
AcaciaMatsutōya Yumi
Yumi Matsutoya’s transparent, crystalline vocals resonate deep in the heart.
Originally included on the album “acacia,” released in June 2001, this piece was inspired by the acacia blossoms in Uchinada, Ishikawa.
Twenty-three years later, it was released as a charity single to support recovery from the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake.
The lyrics strikingly blend a nostalgic atmosphere with hope for the future.
It’s a song that will surely accompany anyone feeling anxiety or loneliness in an unfamiliar place, while holding expectations for new encounters.
Be the lightONE OK ROCK
Be The Light, a track included on ONE OK ROCK’s sixth album Jinsei×Boku=, released in 2013.
This song serves as a recovery anthem for the earthquake disaster, and it also conveys feelings toward the many incidents, accidents, and disasters around the world that can feel utterly senseless.
Although the lyrics are entirely in English, official videos with translations in six languages—English, Japanese, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Chinese—have been released.
It’s a number that brings light to heavy hearts.
A song to support earthquake disaster recovery. A circle of recovery support connected through music [Let’s do our best, Japan] (11–20)
budGReeeeN
GReeeeN’s “Tsubomi” was written as the theme song for TBS’s 10th anniversary project for the Great East Japan Earthquake, “Tsunagu, Tsunagaru,” which conveys the sentiments and lessons from the affected areas through news and special programs.
The leader, HIDE, reportedly took part in postmortem examinations for victim identification as a dentist starting the month after the disaster.
You can feel a variety of emotions in their music, born from their firsthand knowledge of the reality on the ground.
Please give “Tsubomi,” a song sung toward the future, a listen!
Rising SunEXILE
“Rising Sun” is a disaster-relief support song released by EXILE in 2011 for the Great East Japan Earthquake, with all royalties donated to the Japanese Red Cross Society.
In the wake of the earthquake, the group significantly altered their original musical plans to create this track.
Filled with the message that the sun will surely rise even after night falls, the song brims with hope and has been widely cherished as an anthem of encouragement for those affected by the disaster.
together; along with; bothWANIMA
A signature song by WANIMA, the band from Kumamoto, that delivers a passionate message: “Precisely when times are tough, let’s lift our heads and move forward together!” Just listening to it stirs the heart—its powerful sound and warm words strike a chord, filling you with the bonds of friendship and hope for tomorrow.
Featured on the single JUICE UP!! released in August 2016, it captured many hearts as the CM song for Nivea Kao’s 8×4.
The track also carries prayers for the earthquake that struck their hometown of Kumamoto during production, singing earnestly of the preciousness of life and love for one’s roots.
It’s a heartwarming anthem that stands by you at life’s turning points or when you’re feeling low, offering strong, encouraging support.
As many times as you likeDREAMS COME TRUE
The day Japan was shrouded in darkness.
It became a painful, sorrowful memory for everyone.
Even so, we received so much warm support—and music that reached out a hand to us.
This song is one of them.
It wasn’t originally made as a recovery support song, but its powerful lyrics and a sound that drives us toward hope gave us light.
Right after the disaster, this track was also distributed for free for a month as a cheer for the victims.
The phrase “nandodemo”—“again and again”—became a driving force behind the Japanese people’s efforts, didn’t it? It’s a deeply moving song.
