Making the rounds on the internet in Japan this weekend is singer-songwriter Kazuyoshi Saito, who has released “It was always a lie” (ずっとウソだった), a cover song based on his single from last year, “I always loved you” (ずっと好きだった).
The song is anything but ambiguous. With strong anti-nuclear and anti-government lyrics the singer even goes as far as to use the actual names of some of the utilities who have increasingly become the target of public anger. Partial lyrics translated by Spoon & Tamago:
If you walk this country there are 54 nuclear plants
all the text books and commercials told us they were safe
they tricked us and their excuse is, it was “unexpected”…our government. how many victims will it take for you to realize?
nuclear power is safe. really, it was always a lie
toden, hokuden chuden, kyuden. they were always shit
My personal take on this is that I understand that the artist is angry and this is his reaction to a series of disastrous, terrible and tragic events. However – and I’ve expressed this on twitter (here and here) – I feel there are more constructive things we can do rather than blame the utilities and make reactive claims like banning nuclear energy. Every time there is a disaster or accident such as this one there are groups who jump to extreme conclusions. To denounce nuclear power is to denounce a lifestyle that all of us have actively participated in and benefited from. It’s a good song. I’ll give you that. But I ask you Mr. Saito: are you prepared to live without the electricity that has powered your large-scale performances, as well as this very video you deliver your message on?
With that said, it is nice to see some subversive voices emerging in a country that appeared to be cursed by eternal complacency and obedience.
The original song:
