Ryuichi Sakamoto: The Story Behind His Lasting Musical Influence

Ryuichi Sakamoto (1952-2023) was one of the most gifted musicians in the world, and his talent was admired for many decades. Although he has passed away, he left behind countless masterpieces that continue to inspire listeners. The NHK documentary, released on November 28, 2025, offers a close look at many honest aspects of his private life and artistic career.

Who is Ryuichi Sakamoto?

Ryuichi Sakamoto was born in 1952 in Tokyo. He came from a creative family: his father worked with famous writers, while his mother designed elegant hats for women. Because of this background, Sakamoto grew up surrounded by art, words, and beauty. As a child, he started learning piano early and enjoyed listening carefully to every sound around him. These early experiences laid the foundation for his unique and thoughtful musical talent.

As he grew older, Sakamoto became interested not only in Western classical music but also in sounds from Asia and many other cultures. He studied music in depth at a renowned art university in Tokyo, where he learned composition and electronic music. This helped him become an artist who loved mixing old traditions with new ideas. Later, he lived and worked in various places, including New York, which broadened his worldview. 

He was not only a musician but also an actor, writer, and environmental activist. In his final years, Sakamoto faced serious disease, including throat cancer and later rectal cancer, but he continued creating music with quiet strength. He believed that sound could express life, time, and memory in gentle ways. Sadly, he died in Tokyo in March 2023 at the age of 71.

His journey in music

Ryuichi Sakamoto started his music career at a young age. Over time, it became one of the most diverse in modern music. He first gained fame with Yellow Magic Orchestra, a band that brought electronic music to Japan and the world. This group changed how people used synthesizers and inspired later styles such as techno and hip-hop. 

At the same time, Sakamoto also began a solo career, exploring many musical styles. His music was never limited to one style, and that became one of his most special features. As a composer, he is closely connected with famous works such as Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence, The Last Emperor, and The Revenant. The Last Emperor won him an Academy Award, a Grammy, and a Golden Globe, making it one of the biggest highlights of his career.

He also wrote beautiful piano pieces like “Energy Flow”, which many people in Japan still love today. In addition, he created ambient and experimental albums such as async, which reflected his thoughts about life and time. These works became attractions for listeners who enjoy calm and emotional music. 

Beyond film music, Ryuichi Sakamoto enjoyed collaborating with artists from many countries and backgrounds. He worked with musicians, visual artists, and even writers, always searching for new sounds. Even when he became ill, he continued composing, turning his feelings about disease and life into soft and honest music.

What lies inside the new documentary about him?

The new documentary, Ryuichi Sakamoto: Diaries, quietly opens a window into the final years of the famous musician’s life. It follows the final three and a half years of his life after his cancer diagnosis and shows how he continued to think and create until the end. Using his real diaries, private videos, photos, and sounds, the film lets viewers walk beside him through ordinary days and very emotional moments. At the same time, it shows him not only as a great artist but also as a normal person who worried, hoped, and laughed.

The film was directed by Kensho Omori, who worked closely with Sakamoto’s family to respect his feelings and wishes. Even though the director never met Sakamoto in real life, he carefully followed the words and moments Sakamoto left behind. Omori believed that these materials could help people meet the musician through the screen, even many years from now.

The documentary alternates diary entries with scenes from real life, including hospital stays, studio sessions, and quiet time at home. It also includes unfinished music and new visual parts made especially for this film. Because of this thoughtful approach, the story feels alive and very personal. In this way, the director turns memories into a living conversation with the audience.

Why is Ryuichi Sakamoto a lasting legend in music?

His music does not chase trends, but instead listens carefully to life, time, and human feeling, which allows it to stay meaningful across generations. He is remembered as a calm but powerful voice in modern music history, one that teaches listeners to slow down and truly hear the world around them.

Ryuichi Sakamoto’s legacy remains strong because of the care taken to preserve his thoughts, sounds, and creative spirit for the future. The recent documentary gently opens his notebooks and final moments, helping audiences understand not only what he created but also why it mattered. Through this film, his ideas are protected and passed on, as a quiet gift meant for people many years from now. Is there a piece of his music you once heard that stayed in your heart? Let us know in the comments below!

Cited Sources

• Asahi Shimbun. “Documentary details Ryuichi Sakamoto’s final years.”
• The Japan News. “1985 Documentary about Ryuichi Sakamoto, Tokyo Cityscapes to be Screened in Japan in 4K Restoration.”
• Qobuz. “When Yellow Magic Orchestra Shaped City Pop“.