[Japanese Side] "If I had one more minute, I would write a new song"... Passionately burning out, Ryuichi Sakamoto departs

Passed away on the 28th of last month after battling cancer
Active as a musician and social activist

On the 28th of last month, news of the passing of musician Ryuichi Sakamoto was announced. He left a significant mark in film music with works such as "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence" and "The Last Emperor." Today, we will look back on the life of the artist who passed away at the age of 71.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Started Composing in Kindergarten... Reborn as a Musician in YMO

Sakamoto began playing the piano at the age of three. Born to an editor father and a hat designer mother, he started composing music during kindergarten and even received formal instruction. He cited Bach and Debussy as his favorite composers. Later, he entered Tokyo University of the Arts to further pursue his dream of becoming a composer. During this time, he expanded his musical horizons by exploring Okinawan and African folk music as well as electronic music.

He began his full-fledged artistic career in 1978 when he joined the trio band YMO (Yellow Magic Orchestra) at the invitation of Haruomi Hosono. The band is credited with opening new horizons by blending electronic music, electro hip-hop, and unfamiliar artificial sounds.

As YMO gained popularity, he solidified his decision to become a musician. In an interview when asked if he had a reason for pursuing music, he once replied, "I never wanted to be anything. When I was in elementary school and asked what I wanted to be, I had no answer. But when YMO suddenly became popular, I had no choice but to accept being a musician."

His work on the music for the film "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence" marked his entry into the world of international film music composition. While YMO was known for experimental sounds, he proved that he could also create sad and beautiful melodies that touched the hearts of the public.

In 1987, he became the first Asian to win the Academy Award for Best Original Score for the film "The Last Emperor." He continued to participate in various film music projects, including Studio Ghibli animations and films directed by Hirokazu Koreeda. He also had a deep connection with Korea, composing the music for "The Fortress" in 2017, for which he received the "Asian Filmmaker of the Year" award at the Busan International Film Festival. Sakamoto humbly remarked, "I was originally inexperienced in film music, but I think I developed unknown abilities by responding to the director's intentions."

Not Only Music but Also Social Engagement... Showing a Melody of Inclusion

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Although a musician, he was also known for speaking out candidly on social issues. He consistently voiced concerns about Okinawa, which faces discrimination from mainland Japan, and the anti-nuclear movement following nuclear power plant accidents. He was also interested in Korea-Japan relations. During a visit to the Busan International Film Festival, he mentioned that he enjoyed watching the Korean drama "Mr. Sunshine," which depicts the history of the Japanese colonial period.

After the Great East Japan Earthquake, he gathered children from the affected areas to form an orchestra to help heal their wounds. He also retrieved a piano from a school submerged by the tsunami and worked on converting global earthquake data into inputs that could be played on the piano. This was part of his efforts to raise awareness about environmental issues and disaster damage.

In a 2021 interview with a Japanese media outlet, he said, "I know there are criticisms telling me to just focus on music. But I don't think just doing music is enough. Isn't democracy about ordinary people being able to intervene? I believe society should allow everyone to have a voice regardless of their profession." This is why his music is called a "melody of inclusion."

Burning the Passion for Composition... Writing New Songs Even for One More Minute

In 2021, Sakamoto announced that he had been diagnosed with stage IV cancer. Despite his battle with the illness, his passion for music never waned. Last year, he held an online concert with a frail body and released the album "12."

In an interview with a literary magazine last year, Sakamoto revealed that the cancer had metastasized, saying, "The doctor said if I don't receive any treatment, I have about six months left." He also shared that he had undergone six major and minor surgeries over the past two years. Despite the grim situation, he added, "If I live even one or two more minutes, wouldn't the possibility of new songs being created increase accordingly?"

News of his passing, after burning his passion until the very end, sparked a global outpouring of condolences. Japanese media continue to publish interviews with acquaintances and related articles even after his death. In Korea, many celebrities shared heartwarming stories about him and mourned his loss.

Many titles such as musician and social activist follow his name, but ultimately, he was someone who burned many things he wanted to express through music before departing. Now, we look forward to seeing him perform on the stage of the heavens.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.