Pick-up of famous lyricists who left their mark on the history from Showa-era kayokyoku to J-POP!
When we recall the masterpieces that have colored the history of Japanese popular music and have been loved for so long, it’s the wonderful lyrics—awakened alongside the melodies—that linger in listeners’ hearts.
They give us a powerful push forward, put into words worries we can’t tell anyone…
No matter how great a melody is, many hits owe their success to the lyrics being what they are.
This time, we’re shining a spotlight on the renowned lyricists who brought such remarkable words into the world—along with their signature works.
- [Classic Showa Kayō Hits] The captivating Showa-era pop songs beloved even by younger generations
- [2026 Edition] Songs Loved by People in Their 60s: Classic Hits from Their Youth
- Cool songs from the Showa era. Masterpieces from Showa that shine with sensuality, passion, and rugged charm.
- Heart-touching, tear-jerking masterpieces from the Showa era
- Great songs recommended for people in their 80s: a collection of tracks with lyrics that touch the heart
- Evokes the charm of the good old days. Showa-era inspirational songs that are still loved today.
- A collection of iconic, cool Showa-era kayōkyoku classics sung by male vocalists
- Showa-era nostalgic songs: Popular ranking
- So nostalgic it feels new? Showa retro classics that colored Japan’s period of rapid economic growth
- Showa-era masterpieces roundup: A must-listen collection of nostalgic oldies and hit songs
- [Feeling Despair] Classic Showa-era Songs with Dark Lyrics
- Good songs recommended for people in their 60s: classic and popular Japanese tracks
- Coming-of-age songs for your 50s: heart-thumping × heartwarming classics and popular tracks [2026]
Pick-up of famous lyricists who left their mark on the history from Showa-era kayōkyoku to J-POP (21–30)
Love Memorytakatakashi
Taka Takashi, who has a unique background—having worked as a broadcast writer and investigative journalist before switching careers to become a lyricist—has created a wide range of songs from enka to pop.
He produced numerous hits that left their mark on the history of Showa-era popular music, including Hideki Saijo’s 1973 “Jōnetsu no Arashi” and Miyuki Kawanaka’s “Futari-zake.” His works for Fuyumi Sakamoto, in particular, are highly acclaimed; he won the Japan Record Award’s Lyricist Prize twice, for “Hi no Kuni no Onna” in 1991 and “Kaze ni Tatsu” in 1999.
His achievements are beyond dispute, as evidenced by his receipt of the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 2003.
His lyrics, which skillfully interweave scene and sentiment, resonate deeply with listeners.
A slightly capricious migratory birdNiitani Toshiya
Lyricist Toshiya Niitani, originally from Onomichi City in Hiroshima Prefecture, kept submitting his work while working as a company employee and paved his own way to becoming a professional.
In 1985, he won the Newcomer Award at the Japan Lyricist Awards and moved to Tokyo.
He has created numerous masterpieces, including Yoko Nagayama’s “Higurashi,” Yoshimi Tendo’s “Jinsei Shimijimi…,” and Kiyoshi Hikawa’s “Hoshizora no Akiko.” It’s astonishing how passionate he was, continuing to submit for ten years while traveling nationwide in a sales role.
In 2014, he further proved his credentials by winning the Japan Lyricist Award for Kiyoshi Hikawa’s “Choito Kimagure Wataridori.” His approach—eschewing difficult words and crafting language that resonates with everyone—is truly admirable.
Goodbye to sorrowMatsui Gorō
When it comes to a master wordsmith active across a wide range—from Showa-era kayōkyoku to anime songs—surely Goro Matsui comes to mind.
Matsui debuted as a lyricist in 1981 with his participation on CHAGE and ASKA’s album “Neppū.” He has written over 3,000 songs, including major hits like Anzen Chitai’s “Kanashimi ni Sayonara” and the theme song “Yūki 100%” for the TV anime Nintama Rantarō.
His vast body of work could be called a history of Japanese music in itself.
He has been continually recognized over many years, winning the Lyrics Award at the 60th Japan Record Awards in 2018, and in recent years he has also contributed to the development of music culture by serving as a director at JASRAC.
BambinaMori Yukinojō
Lyricist Yukinojo Mori has worked across a wide spectrum—from pop and rock to anime songs—after experiences including guest appearances with the rock band Yonin Bayashi.
Since his 1976 debut, he has created numerous unforgettable hits that span generations, such as Shibugakitai’s “NAI NAI 16” and Tomoyasu Hotei’s “POISON.” His skill at wielding words as the driving force of music is highly acclaimed, and he is also known for receiving the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s Art Encouragement Prize from the Agency for Cultural Affairs in 2016.
His unique ability to balance rock aesthetics with mass appeal, while expanding into stage arts such as musicals, is one of a kind.
He is an artist to watch for anyone who wants to enjoy the sharp rhythm and narrative power of language, or to experience expression that transcends genres.
Rumba of ExcitementMizuki Reiji
I am a lyricist born and raised in Okayama Prefecture who moved to Tokyo after winning the grand prize in a magazine’s open competition.
I debuted as a writer in 1974 and have been working under my current pen name since 1981.
I have provided numerous songs to leading enka singers, including Yoshimi Tendo’s “Jinsei Michizure,” Kiyoshi Hikawa’s “Sakura,” as well as Hiroshi Itsuki and Miyuki Kawanaka.
I also achieved the remarkable feat of winning the Japan Lyricist Award two years in a row with “Tokimeki no Rumba” in 2009 and “Jinsei Michizure” in 2010.
Having served as a judge on television programs, I am a lyricist who captivates many listeners with portrayals of life and travel, depicted through an objective perspective and a rich sensibility.
Let yourself go with the flow of timeAraki Toyohisa
Toyohisa Araki boasts a brilliant career, having received numerous prestigious awards such as the Japan Lyricists’ Award and the Japan Record Awards’ Lyricist Prize.
In 2005, he was honored with the Medal with Purple Ribbon in recognition of his long-standing career and achievements.
It’s fascinating that Araki’s start as a lyricist traces back to “Shiki no Uta” (Song of the Four Seasons), a piece he wrote while he was a member of a ski club and forced into two and a half years of long-term recuperation after an accident.
He has said he felt the song “took on a life of its own,” and indeed, “Shiki no Uta,” for which Araki wrote both the lyrics and the music, spread by word of mouth, gained acclaim, and—through an unusual turn of events—was finally released as a record in 1972.
In his twenties, Araki also continued band activities in parallel, but from his thirties he devoted himself fully to a professional career as a lyricist.
He won the Excellence Award at the Japan Lyricists’ Awards for “Kanashimi Honsen Nihonkai,” sung by Masako Mori.
“Koiuta Tsuzuri,” self-covered by Takao Horiuchi, went on to achieve a double win at the Japan Record Awards and the Japan Cable Radio Awards.
As a master of words, Araki released countless works written in exquisite Japanese, making a tremendous contribution to the history of Japanese popular music.
His works can be found across an impressively wide range of fields—not only enka and Showa-era pop songs, but also commercial jingles, corporate image songs, company anthems, and school songs—so there’s every chance that one of your favorite tunes might well have lyrics by Araki.
Hare Hare YukaiHata Aki
Aki Hata is active as a singer-songwriter.
At the same time, she excels at writing lyrics for games and anime.
Her appeal lies in positive lyrics like the ending theme of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Hare Hare Yukai.
However, she also writes enigmatic and quirky lyrics like the opening theme of Lucky Star, Motteke! Sailor Fuku, and you can’t help but admire the breadth of her range…!
