Songs of war that are etched deeply into the human heart.
Within those voices lie prayers for peace, love for family, and memories that should be passed down across generations.
Living in the present, we can reflect anew on the horrors of war and the preciousness of peace through these songs.
In this article, we introduce moving songs themed around “war” that have left their mark on the history of Japanese music.
Shall we take a fresh look—through music—at the importance of a peaceful, conflict-free everyday life that we must protect?
- Anti-war songs that pierce the heart: Japan’s masterpieces conveying prayers for peace
- [Songs Praying for Peace] To Prevent Repeating Tragic History | A Collection of Peace Songs That Resonate with the Heart
- [Tearjerker] Songs that make your heart tremble with tears & moving tracks with lyrics that touch the soul
- Masterpieces of Japanese music that delve into various social issues, such as war and environmental problems
- [Songs of Bereavement] Songs about losing someone dear. Tracks to listen to while thinking of a loved one.
- [Bereavement Song] To you whom I can no longer meet... Tear-jerking songs about death
- [Song for Supporting Ukraine] A moving anthem that conveys hopes for peace & songs of Ukraine
- A spine-chilling scary song: masterful tracks that evoke fear and eerie recommended songs
- Songs with strong messages. Classic J-Pop masterpieces and recommended popular tracks.
- The soul’s cry woven into Japanese elegies: unraveling supreme masterpieces that resonate with the heart.
- Tear ducts guaranteed to burst! Heart-wrenching masterpiece songs I’d recommend to Gen Z
- Masterpieces that sing of freedom. Recommended popular songs.
- Farewell Song: A goodbye song. A tearful parting song.
[Songs of War] Masterpieces that sing of the tragedy and folly of war (1–10)
Island SongTHE BOOM
Shima Uta, released in 1992, is a major hit by THE BOOM and one of their signature songs.
It also drew attention because Kazufumi Miyazawa, who is not from Okinawa, sang a style of Okinawan music that had often been performed by singers from Okinawa.
While Okinawa evokes images of blue seas and a relaxed pace of life, we must not forget the tragic war that took place there in the past.
Shima Uta is a recommended song that you should listen to carefully while reflecting on the meaning of its lyrics.
Sugarcane fieldMoriyama Ryoko
In the Battle of Okinawa at the end of World War II, not only soldiers but many civilians also lost their lives.
Ryoko Moriyama’s song “Satokibi Batake” (Sugarcane Field) is a piece that powerfully reinforces the resolve to never repeat such a tragic war.
The repeatedly sung phrase that evokes the sound of wind sweeping through summer sugarcane fields is especially memorable.
As if to soothe the souls of those who perished in the war, Moriyama’s calm, beautiful voice brings tears to one’s eyes.
It’s a masterpiece that I hope the younger generation will listen to as well.
world peaceSEKAI NO OWARI
This is a scathing message song that SEKAI NO OWARI released during their indie days.
It sharply portrays, with a fantastical yet dark worldview, the selfishness and hypocrisy of humanity that lurk behind the beautiful word “peace.” While wishing for peace, we repeat conflicts and sacrifice other lives for a version of “peace” that suits our own convenience.
The contradiction of humanity depicted here is suffocating.
Included on their landmark album EARTH, released in April 2010, this track is packed with the band’s early impulses.
It may leave you with a profound sense of being shaken to the core, questioning whether the “justice” and “peace” we believe in are truly right.
Message — Kotodute (oral message)Porunogurafiti
Porno Graffitti, a band with roots in Hiroshima, created this emotional ballad with a sense of mission to their hometown.
The lyrics portray the “first streetcar,” which ran through the city about three days after the atomic bombing, as a symbol for passing memory into the future, and their heartfelt prayer for peace comes through with piercing clarity.
Knowing that the lyrics were written first, and that vocalist Akihito Okano then composed the music as a prayer, makes the weight of the message even more palpable.
Released in April 2025 as the theme song for NHK Hiroshima’s “80 Years Since the Bombing: I Carry It Forward” project, the piece seems to quietly—yet powerfully—ask us, through music, to reflect on the preciousness of everyday life that must be protected.
Horse Ridingthe HIATUS
This work, the title track of the EP “Horse Riding EP” released by the HIATUS in July 2013, evokes images of people marching off to battle and taking up arms, while also portraying peaceful scenes worth protecting—calm everyday life and the smiles of family.
Its sound seems to convey both the folly of conflict and the preciousness of days that must never be lost.
The episode of adding live piano, which brought a new depth to the sound, is also striking.
Perhaps give it a listen on a night when you want to quietly contemplate the meaning of peace through music.
fireflySazan Ōrusutāzu
It is a masterpiece that sings of the tragedy of war and the preciousness of life.
Released by Southern All Stars in August 2013, this song was written as the theme for the film “The Eternal Zero.” Its beautiful piano and string melodies seep into the heart, and Keisuke Kuwata’s warm vocals deliver a prayer for peace.
It quietly speaks of mourning for lost lives and the value of living, leaving a deep impression on listeners.
This is a moving ballad to listen to with thoughts of loved ones and a wish for peace.
Song of AugustHamada Shogo
Singer-songwriter Shogo Hamada, a native of Hiroshima Prefecture, has released many songs themed around war, politics, and Japan, influenced by his father’s experience as an atomic bomb survivor.
“Song in August,” included on his 10th album J.BOY, is a track that depicts the deep scars that remain even after the war has ended.
The lyrics evoke the unbroken chain of hatred and sense of despair that persists not only during wartime but even after it is over, making us feel the unchanging reality despite the passage of time.
It is an anti-war song whose message prompts reflection, teaching us the folly of war, which, once begun, leaves a bitter legacy for the future.
