Music is a Messenger of Peace - What is the Role of Musicians in Times of War?

When I was a kid, I often had dreams about nuclear war. Immediately after World War II, the world was plunged into the Cold War, and the Soviet Union and the United States were facing a crisis that could have resulted in nuclear war at any moment. Amid this critical socio-political situation, most of the movies children watched at the time were about the war. Among them, Planet of the Apes was the most famous. The storyline, which depicts a world where human beings are wiped out by nuclear war and the earth is taken over by apes, is so extreme, but it was made into a very realistic movie and became a blockbuster hit. I used to watch war movies and TV programs all the time, so I frequently dreamt that a nuclear bomb was dropped and I hid in my house. Is this going to be reality now?

In the 1960’s, the Vietnam War symbolized the Cold War era. Day after day, the U.S. Air Force bombed North Vietnam, waging an all-out war against the communization of Vietnam. Many young Americans were drafted and lost their lives. As a result, an anti-war movement erupted in the United States and other developed countries. The amount of young people joining demonstrations against the war escalated day by day. The demonstrations gradually turned into conflicts and threw entire societies into the crucible of turmoil. Japan was no exception. The student movements turned into riots, and the Tokyo University Yasuda Auditorium was filled with student demonstrators and the rioting of the Zengakuren (All-Japan Federation of Student Self-Government Associations) shocked the whole country and made people anxious about the future of Japan.

At the same time as the student movement, many musicians stressed the importance of peace. Famous American musicians such as Joan Baez and Bob Dylan sang as the leaders of anti-war activists. Later came Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and Simon & Garfunkel, who kept releasing hit song after hit song. In the UK, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones started releasing their anti-war songs. It was an amazing lineup. Throughout history, musicians are usually known to have stood up against war and sing to invoke the importance of peace.

Half a century later, the world almost found total peace and not a single person died in war, especially in Japan. Now that myth of peace is about to collapse. The Russian invasion of Ukraine continues unabated, and we are now in a worst-case scenario where strategic nuclear weapons could be used at any moment. Japan, which united with other developed countries in condemning Russian aggression and stepped in to impose economic sanctions, is certain to become the target of Russian aggression because we are now on Russia’s enemy list. To top it all off, China, who is in collusion with Russia, is vigilantly watching for an opportunity to invade Taiwan. The era of peace has come to an end.

What do the Japanese people, especially young people, think as the world is facing the danger of nuclear war and the genocide of civilians? What do songwriters and singer-songwriters think about when they create their songs? Do they only sing songs about teenage lost love and relationships with the hopes of becoming famous or having a hit? Also, everyone now sings about love while doing the same dances as if they were imitating each other. Nothing’s wrong with that, but the peaceful era has now ended. Now is the time for Japanese musicians to stand up and introduce to the world their songs about world peace and giving children hope for the future.

I want to somehow support these musicians. The founder of Sound House wishes to help in any way that my company can do to support them. However, I’m not even sure if my employees will understand my wish. This is why I’ve been so frustrated lately.