Masterpieces of Japanese music that delve into various social issues, such as war and environmental problems

Keyboard playerSAKI
I’ve been playing the Electone since I was six, mainly performing Disney music, anime songs, and music from dramas and films. I post performance videos on YouTube and social media, and I also give concerts. Building on my Electone experience, I took up synthesizer and piano during my student years and performed at school-sponsored events. As a writer, I’ve covered not only music-related topics but a wide range of genres, so I hope to draw on my experience to deliver articles that make readers think, “I want to try that!” or “I want to listen to that!”

Around the world, we are confronted daily with a wide range of social issues, from war to environmental problems.

Some people work tirelessly to address these issues, while others are left frustrated by policies that feel unacceptable.

In this article, we introduce songs that express feelings toward various social problems.

We’ve gathered tracks that delve into all kinds of issues—opposition to war, the horrors of the atomic bomb, children exposed to conflict, nature lost to environmental destruction, animal welfare, and more.

Through music, let’s take another look at the social challenges the world is facing today.

Masterpieces of Japanese music that delve into various social issues such as war and environmental problems (61–70)

Soldiers risk their lives!Dai Nippon Teroru

Self-proclaimed mental-health mess and god of validation. KarIN Amamiya’s band, Dai-Nippon Teroru: “Soldiers Risk Their Lives!”

Soldiers risk their lives!Dai Nippon Teroru

Currently, Karin Amamiya—who now enjoys immense support as a “left-wing writer”—was once active in this right-leaning band during her days on the right.

With lyrics like “Climb Mount Niitaka,” “Security Treaty, Security Treaty, Blockhead,” and “Soldiers! Soldiers! Conscription,” paired with a superb punk sound, they’ve become true classics.

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In conclusion

We’ve introduced songs that tackle a variety of social issues—what did you think? Even though we encounter all kinds of news in our daily lives, it can be hard to grasp these issues in a real, tangible way.

I hope that the music we featured this time has provided even a small opportunity to think about the social problems happening in the world and in Japan.