# Tokyo Opener ‘Sukiyaki’ Director Zeze Takahisa on the Protest Roots of a Global Japanese Pop Hit: ‘The Culture Used to Be Wide Open – Now It’s Become Narrower’

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/tokyo-opener-sukiyaki-director-zeze-takahisa-on-the-protest-roots-of-a-global-japanese-pop-hit-the-culture-used-to-be-wide-open-now-its-become-narrower/
- Published: 2026-10-28T01:06:18+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-28T01:11:37+00:00
- Original publisher: Variety
- Original article: https://variety.com/2026/film/festivals/tokyo-opener-sukiyaki-director-zeze-takahisa-song-protest-roots-1236932574/
- Topics: Art, Asia, Culture, Entertainment, Film, Music, World

## Key points

- “Sukiyaki” became a worldwide hit in 1963.
- Its lyrics were inspired by failed protests against a security treaty.
- Zeze sees the film as a reflection on Japan’s narrowing cultural openness.

## Summary

Director Zeze Takahisa’s film “Sukiyaki”, opening the 39th Tokyo International Film Festival, traces how the Japanese song became a global hit in 1963 and explores the lives and tensions of its creators. Zeze says the story also speaks to Japan today, arguing that its popular culture has become less open to influences from abroad.

The film follows lyricist Ei Rokusuke, composer Nakamura Hachidai and singer Sakamoto Kyu, known as the “689 trio”, through their collaborations and personal difficulties. Ei drew inspiration for the lyrics from 1960 demonstrations against the Japan-US Security Treaty, encouraging people to keep their heads up despite defeat; the song’s emotional force travelled abroad even where listeners did not understand the words.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.