Tokyo Film Festival Opener 'Sukiyaki' Director Zeze Takahisa Explores Protest Roots of Global Japanese Pop Hit

The 39th Tokyo International Film Festival opened with 'Sukiyaki,' directed by Zeze Takahisa, a film that traces how the Japanese pop song became a global phenomenon in 1963. The tune, originally titled 'Ue o Muite Arukō' ('I Look Up as I Walk'), topped charts worldwide and was later recorded in multiple languages, cementing its status as a beloved standard. Zeze's film goes beyond the song's commercial success to examine its deeper cultural and political origins, highlighting the protest roots embedded in its creation. The director notes that the culture surrounding the song was once 'wide open,' suggesting a more expansive and inclusive creative environment in Japan at the time. In contrast, he observes that today's cultural landscape has 'become narrower,' implying a loss of that openness. This narrative matters because it connects a familiar pop hit to larger themes of artistic freedom, social expression, and the evolving nature of Japanese culture. The film serves as a reminder of how music can transcend borders and carry hidden histories. As the festival unfolds, 'Sukiyaki' sets a reflective tone, inviting audiences to consider what cultural shifts mean for future creative expression.