The “Sukiyaki” Phenomenon: The Song Behind the Tokyo Film Festival’s Opening Movie
The 2026 Tokyo International Film Festival opens with *Sukiyaki*, a drama about the creation of the song that became an international hit. The film follows composer Hachidai Nakamura, lyricist Rokusuke Ei and singer Kyu Sakamoto; the song’s success also became a source of pride for Japan as it recovered from postwar defeat and occupation.
Nakamura and Ei wrote “Ue o Muite Aruko” in 1961, drawing on jazz, Japanese musical scales and American pop, while Ei’s lyrics reflected sadness over the failed Anpo protests. Sakamoto performed it with little preparation, and the song sold 300,000 copies in Japan before British bandleader Kenny Ball helped introduce it overseas under the title “Sukiyaki”. Sakamoto’s original recording topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks in 1963, making him the only Japanese artist to reach No. 1 there; the single eventually sold more than 13 million copies worldwide.
In short
- The 2026 Tokyo film festival opens with a drama about “Sukiyaki”.
- Sakamoto’s recording led the U.S. chart for three weeks in 1963.
- The song sold more than 13 million copies worldwide.
Explained simply
“Ue o Muite Aruko” was written in Japan in 1961 by composer Hachidai Nakamura and lyricist Rokusuke Ei, and performed by singer Kyu Sakamoto. Its melody blended jazz, Japanese musical scales and American pop, while the lyrics expressed sadness after protests against the Anpo security treaty failed.
The song became a major hit in Japan before reaching international audiences under the title “Sukiyaki”, chosen by British bandleader Kenny Ball. Sakamoto’s recording reached number one in the United States in 1963, a rare milestone for a Japanese-language song.
Its success came as Japan was rebuilding after defeat and occupation in the Second World War. The song became a source of national pride, linking a popular music hit with the country’s changing place in the world.
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