TOKYO —

Broadcasts of the latest single by Singer Naotaro Moriyama, 32, “Ikiteru koto ga tsurainara” will be limited in public places, the Nikkan Sports newspaper reported Tuesday.

Some convenience store chains have announced that they will not broadcast the song in any of their outlets. The song which includes the lyrics, “If it’s too hard to stay alive, maybe you should choose to die. Your loved ones may feel sad but they’ll forget only three days later”.

The lyrics of the song have generated widespread controversy and concerns that visiting customers may only hear the controversial lyrics outside the context of the rest of the song has prompted the stores to take action, said an inside source.

The new song will be released on August 27.

Latest 15 of 23 Total Comments Show All

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  lipscombe at 11:54 PM JST - 19th August

  haha kissmint, true it's an odd experience to be sat in Denny's and hear snoop effin' and blindin'

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  usaexpat at 12:28 AM JST - 20th August

  Yeah censoring music is always a great idea. I don't care if the lyrics were "kill kill kill" this is a slippery slope.

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  usaexpat at 12:30 AM JST - 20th August

  Kiss Mint, Actually I heard Rage Against the Machine the other day at a clothing store. The chorus "fu** you I won't do what you tell me" was blaring. It actually completely made my day. One of the best things about the laguage barrier is they don't know what to censor.

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  GW at 12:39 AM JST - 20th August

  havent heard the song, sounds like he is just commenting about society today in Japan, but he at least the porn is still on the racks for the kids to view!

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  ca1ic0cat at 03:18 AM JST - 20th August

  Actually the Japanese are pretty well acquainted with English curses thanks to all the movies they see. So having Rage blaring over the PA system is more a matter of thinking that such things are acceptable and cool rather than ignorance of what is being said. I guess it was only a matter of time until a Japanese artist tried to imitate Beck.

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  kimigano at 04:18 AM JST - 20th August

  Good PR. This should help boost sales.

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  majimekun at 08:35 AM JST - 20th August

  "If it’s too hard to stay alive, maybe you should choose to die. Your loved ones may feel sad but they’ll forget only three days later"

  It's a funny thing to read :) I hate it when weak/dumb people prevent normal people from having fun. Political Correctness at its best. The world is becoming more and more uninteresting.

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  sk4ek at 08:49 AM JST - 20th August

  I'm not going to translate the entire song, but he closes with the thought that maybe it's better to hang on to life, no matter how crappy it gets, because that's what living is all about. I read the song as a critique on modern young people in Japan, with their video-game mentalities and whining and need for instant gratification. Sometimes life is tough, but you stick it out and in the end, that's what makes it worthwhile.

  Naotaro's music--usually with lyrics by poet Kaito Okachimachi--can be cerebral and uplifting, but he doesn't pull any punches, and sometimes drifts towards the sarcastic, even cynical.

  As for playing offensive Western music in public places, the people who run these businesses generally have no idea what the music is about--the lyrics, the bands--and just pick a Yusen (cable) station based on the mood they want to create. I don't think it ever occurs to them that people might actually be listening to the words themselves.

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  KissMint at 09:27 AM JST - 20th August

  usaexpat: I actually don't have a problem with songs using the f-word or other swear words. Depending on the song, it can put a smile on my face, for sure.

  But, as I said, what I really can't stand are the filthy, sexually explicit, violence-laden songs that get airplay in public places in Japan, simply because, as was mentioned, the staff have no idea what's being said (sung). Does it cause me to leave the shop? Well, no. But initially I feel a bit shocked when I hear it, even after living here for many years. And I wouldn't call myself a prude, either. I just never listen to that kind of music myself, and it's jarring to hear it when out and about.

  And thanks to sk4ek for providing some insight into the whole song, rather than just the couple of lines that are the focus of this article.

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  ambrosia at 10:46 AM JST - 20th August

  Pukey2: I agree 100%! In reality I care less about the lyrics than the volume at which they're being blasted. If I go to a shop or restaurant where the music is too damn loud, so loud that I can barely hear the person with whom I'm speaking, I politely complain to the management and strongly encourage you to do the same. I can't be the only one out there who hates going into coffee shops, clothing stores, etc. that play music louder than clubs.

  KissMint: I suggest the same to you. If you find the lyrics offensive, complain to the management. They may or may not be aware of what the lyrics really are but they will certainly take notice of people who say they won't frequent a place again due to such lyrics or the volume at which they're played.

  And to pre-empt any "censorship" posts, I understand the stores have the right to play offensive and or loud music and I am not suggesting there be a law against it. What I am suggesting is that you use the power you have as a consumer to voice your dissatisfaction with the lyrics and or volume. Stores, cafes and restaurants are there for the consumers and wouldn't exist without them.

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  borscht at 11:04 AM JST - 20th August

  It's not that the sales clerks or management don't understand the lyrics to the music they are playing - they don't listen to the music. That's why they can have three songs going on at the same time in three very small areas of their stores at the same time shouting out" Blue Light" specials. Ask the clerk in any store (Except Yamada denki) what song is playing and they won't be able to tell you.

  sk4ek,

  Thanks for the info about the song. Taking one or two lines out of a song is a dangerous way to comment on it; Springsteen has a song about a Vietnamese fisherman who is going to kill some Texans. The last line is something like: But he walked home to his family instead. Without that last line, you just have a violent song.

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  Peaceful_Man at 03:49 PM JST - 20th August

  Reminds me of the theme song of MAS*H..."Suicide is Painless" (you can take it or leave it if you please). Perhaps there is some plagerism here?

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  tokyotom at 04:49 PM JST - 20th August

  she has got one in the over but it has nothing to do with me

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  Bogi at 11:16 PM JST - 20th August

  If a bit of BGM at 7-Eleven pushes you over the edge, I think your time has come anyway...

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  KitsuneYoukai at 11:15 PM JST - 21st August

  Gotta love those lyrics>>>>Ha! "They will forget in 3 days???" why not 4, 5, or 6??? That is a strange line. With all the suicide problems in Japan I can see why some would cringe at lyrics such as these. They don't need anymore incouragement that's for sure.

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