In Memoriam ’23: I’m So Glad I Met You] Music Critic Junichi Konuma Talks about Ryuichi Sakamoto’s Freedom and Awesomeness

Ryuichi Sakamoto
Died on March 28 at the age of 71

Ryuichi Sakamoto, musician who passed away on March 28, 2011, at the age of 71. He formed “YMO” (Yellow Magic Orchestra) in 1978 and took the world by storm with his techno-pop music, and he also created music for many movies, including “Merry Christmas at the Battlefield” (’83) and “The Last Emperor” (’87).

Music critic Junichi Onuma, who worked with Sakamoto on NHK’s music education program “Schola Ryuichi Sakamoto: School of Music,” and with whom Sakamoto had a close friendship, recounts a memorable episode of Sakamoto’s life.

He said, “I don’t need a script. Without that freedom, I would not be able to create.”
Junichi Konuma, music critic

I met Mr. Sakamoto when he was in his fifties and we remained friends until his death. I think he was an intense person when he was young, but when I met him he was very polite and calm.

We were working together on a program called “Schola” on NHK, and from the very beginning, Mr. Sakamoto would not accept the script that was given to him, saying, “I don’t want it. I was impressed by the way he told the staff, “I will speak in my own words, not a script, and I want you to edit it. I realized at the time that without that freedom, I would not be able to create.

Sakamoto’s performance was natural and varied. When he played in a session with others, he would make changes to suit them. You don’t notice it when he is playing alone, but when he is with other performers, you notice how exquisite it is.

I was not able to meet him in his later years, but we continued to exchange e-mails until a few days before he passed away. Even though Mr. Sakamoto was lying on a hospital bed, he sent me an e-mail expressing his appreciation for my caring for my mother.

He must have sensed that I was discouraged. Mr. Sakamoto never contacted me when he was feeling weak, so when he sent me an e-mail once in a while, I thought to myself, “He is still alive.

It is difficult to express my feelings toward the news of Mr. Sakamoto’s passing. I feel as if a part of me is missing. Sadness is not an adequate word to describe my feelings.

From the December 29, 2023 issue of FRIDAY