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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.

Masterpieces of Japanese music that delve into various social issues such as war and environmental problems (21–30)

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.”

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To the most important personTonneruzu

It’s the 19th single by the comedy duo Tunnels, with lyrics by Yasushi Akimoto.

“The most important person” refers to the Prime Minister of Japan, and the song’s theme is how Japan ought to be.

Among Tunnels’ singles, it is one of the few message-oriented songs.

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Masterpieces of Japanese music that delve into various social issues such as war and environmental problems (31–40)

What the dead man left behindTomotake Masanori

This is a representative Japanese anti-war song with lyrics by poet Shuntaro Tanikawa and music by Toru Takemitsu, performed by Masanori Tomotake.

It carries a heavy, painful message about the futility of war and the absence of anything meaningful in it.

The song was used in Toho’s 1969 film “Bullet Wound” (Dangon).

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HINOMARURADWIMPS

HINOMARU – RADWIMPS (cover)
HINOMARURADWIMPS

The B-side track “HINOMARU” from RADWIMPS’ single “Catharsist” is a message song about the national flag and Japan.

Lyrics such as “Mikuni no Mitama” (the spirit of our nation) and “the land where the sun rises” sparked controversy for evoking the Greater East Asia War.

It seems the song, created out of love for Japan, ended up being misconstrued.

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GuernicaNakamura Kazuyoshi

Kazuyoshi Nakamura – “Jubilee”
GuernicaNakamura Kazuyoshi

A hidden gem by Kazuyoshi Nakamura, inspired by Picasso’s Guernica, renowned as an artwork that confronts war.

It features a dark, weighty sound with a heavy atmosphere that seems to embody the pitch-black depths of human nature.

Give it a listen.

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YES MOM！THE BOOM

This is a message song by THE BOOM, the Okinawan band known for “Shima Uta.” Centered on the theme of “our somewhat distorted society,” it satirizes politics and society.

It’s a heavy track in which vocalist Kazufumi Miyazawa delivers a long, scathing message in a spoken-singing style.

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Da! Da! The Song of Breaking Free from Nuclear Powerseifuku koujou iinkai

An anti-nuclear song released in August 2011 by the idol group Seifuku Kojo Iinkai in response to the nuclear accident caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake.

It was an unusual event for idols to sing a song with such an explicitly political message.

A television documentary titled ‘Nuclear Idol’ that followed Seifuku Kojo Iinkai’s activities surrounding this song was also produced and broadcast.

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