It has been announced that "SUKIYAKI Ue o Muite Arukou," a film adaptation of the story behind the creation of "Sukiyaki," a hit song by Kyu Sakamoto that was a huge hit in the U.S., starring Junichi Okada, will be released in 2026. Okada will play Hachidai Nakamura, the composer who created many hit songs including "Sukiyaki."
"Ue o Muite Arukou" was written by Naga Rokusuke, composed by Hachidai Nakamura, and sung by Sakamoto Kyu, which became a hit. In 1963, it topped the US Billboard charts for three consecutive weeks. The combination of Naga, Nakamura, and Sakamoto was called the "Rokuhachiku Trio" and created an era.
Nakamura was known as a jazz pianist who was called a genius in his younger days, and later became a composer. He produced many works that are still loved today, including hits such as "Ashita ga aru sa," "Hello Baby," "Tooku ni Ikitai," and "Sekai no Kuni kara Konnichiwa," as well as the theme song for the TV show "Shoten."
The film depicts the dramatic life of Nakamura Hachidai, including his glorious path and failure, his joy and suffering. Okada, who is well known for his stoic role-playing in action scenes, has now taken on the challenge of playing the piano. He is currently undergoing intensive training to play the role of a genius jazz pianist.
The film will be directed by Takahisa Sese, director of "Heaven's Story" and "From the Gulf with Love," and the script will be written by Takehiko Minato, who has worked on "Ah Wilderness" and "Seiyoku." The key music will be provided by Taisei Iwasaki, who worked on "Moteki" and "The Dragon and the Freckled Princess," and jazz pianist Masaki Hayashi, who was in charge of the music for "Wonderful World."
◇Comment from Junichi Okada, who plays Hachidai Nakamura
I think this project is a biography and story of the friendship between the three men, Nakamura Hachidai, Nagai Rokusuke, and Sakamoto Kyu, who created many famous Japanese songs, including the classic "Ue o Muite Arukou."
I will be playing Nakamura Hachidai, a brilliant jazz pianist who is deeply woven into the experiences of the war and the period of high economic growth. I would like to portray the way Hachidai, who pursued jazz, created the music that resonates in the hearts of Japanese people.
Personally, my mother is a piano teacher, so I think my parents will be happy to play the piano, and I'm very happy about that. However, I've only ever played the piano when I was in elementary school and occasionally at live performances, so playing the piano this time will be a challenge for me.
I'm going to film this with the hope that I can deliver a song that is not just about the past, but is still relevant to the present. I hope you'll look forward to it.
◇Comment from Director Takahisa Sese
We are going to make a film about the life of the people who wrote the song, which symbolizes the era when Japan was trying to escape from postwar exhaustion and poverty. I am already trembling with the weight of the mission. However, we will work together as a wonderful team, centered around our 689 trio, to create a song of hope and an uplifting film that is needed now.
◇Comment from Aki Taka, project planner and producer
"Just like the classic song 'SUKIYAKI' that touched the hearts of people all over the world, I want this film to reach the hearts of people all over the world." Amid the uncertain COVID-19 pandemic, as I met with the families of the Rokuhachiku Trio and conducted further interviews, I was inspired by the energy of the men who created something new from the ruins of post-war Japan, and this is a strong wish I have for myself, living in the present.
A wonderful cast has been assembled, led by Director Sese, who has captured the spirit of the time, and Junichi Okada, who resonates with Yadai's creativity. In 2026, we will deliver a superb film to the world with the best members and the best music.
