Masterpieces of Japanese music that delve into various social issues, such as war and environmental problems
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.
- “Song of War”: A classic that sings of the tragedy and folly of war
- Songs with strong messages. Classic J-Pop masterpieces and recommended popular tracks.
- Classic Japanese songs about Earth: songs that include the word “Earth” in their lyrics
- Anti-war songs that pierce the heart: Japan’s masterpieces conveying prayers for peace
- Masterpieces that sing of despair. Recommended popular songs.
- A classic Japanese song about life. A track that gives you energy.
- A spine-chilling scary song: masterful tracks that evoke fear and eerie recommended songs
- [April 2026] Trending songs: A roundup of the hottest, viral tracks right now
- Masterpieces that sing about various lives. Recommended popular songs.
- [Songs of Worries] Listening will gently lighten your heart. Masterpieces that speak for your feelings
- [Tearjerker] Songs that make your heart tremble with tears & moving tracks with lyrics that touch the soul
- [Yami Song] Fight darkness with darkness!? Deep tracks that stay close to your pain
- A collection of classic songs about friends: friendship songs for children
Masterpieces of Japanese music that delve into various social issues such as war and environmental problems (21–30)
Evening of the full moonSōru Furawā Yunion
This is a famous song that emerged from the areas devastated by the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake that occurred on January 17, 1995.
It’s a moving piece that sings of the people in the disaster zone as they face the horrific damage and the harsh realities of recovery.
The performance, which has a chindon-ya street band vibe, is great as well.
Gaikokujin no Tomodachiyuzu
A powerful message song by the folk duo Yuzu that sings about Yasukuni, the national flag, and the singing of the national anthem.
Reading just the lyrics might feel a bit cloying due to the heavy messaging, but as expected of Yuzu, they’ve crafted it into an easy-to-listen-to folk song—a pop track that makes you want to sing along with everyone.
2020 DIARYSaitō Kazuyoshi
Singer-songwriter Kazuyoshi Saito, whose subtly wistful vocals and melodies have earned him support across generations.
The track “2020 diary,” included on his 21st album “55 STONES,” is, as the title suggests, a number that recounts events of 2020 from a musician’s perspective.
Its lyrics, which reflect on the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic that threw the world into turmoil and ask what we should be doing now, feel calm and on point when viewed from the vantage point of time passed.
It’s a soulful pop tune that, precisely because of difficult times, prompts each of us to consider how we ought to be.
Japanese devilMatsushima Kurosu
A heavy message song by Matsushima Cross, a Sumiyoshi-kai–affiliated member, that sings of patriotism while using the derogatory term for Japanese people, “Japanese devils,” as its title.
The lyrics question Japan Teachers’ Union–style education and a masochistic view of history, and convey a strong determination to take pride in the motherland.
Notably, Matsushima Cross was arrested in January 2018 on suspicion of attempted extortion and is currently on trial.
GOD Bless XmexxxxPIERROT
A powerful message song by the five-member visual kei rock band PIERROT.
It’s said to be an anti-war piece that expresses the feelings they had in response to the outbreak of the Iraq War.
It’s a cool yet weighty song, with words like “dictator” and “GOD” flying about.
In the midst of an endless journey…Shunsuke Kiyokiba
This is an anti-war song included on ROCK&SOUL, the original album by Shunsuke Kiyokiba, former vocalist of EXILE.
Kiyokiba has said, “I felt fear while writing the lyrics.
I was groping in the dark about how deeply I should delve into the world and war.”
The North Korea I admireZa Taimāzu
A song by the masked band The Timers, led by “ZERRY,” a figure who closely resembles Kiyoshiro Imawano.
It’s a lighthearted, poppy, fun number that features North Korea—a subject considered taboo in the media.
Beyond this track, they also sang many songs that seemed to foretell crises in Japan’s future, such as nuclear power issues.