Masaharu Fukuyama talks about the thoughts behind "Camphor Tree" in a long interview on NHK's "Close-up Gendai" 80 years after the atomic bombing

Singer and actor Masaharu Fukuyama appeared on the NHK news program "Close-up Gendai" broadcast on August 5th. In a lengthy interview, Fukuyama, a native of Nagasaki Prefecture, spoke about the thoughts behind his song, which is based on the theme of the "bombed camphor tree," which sprouted again after being burned by the atomic bomb and has become a symbol of hope and peace, marking the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing this year.

Fukuyama's song "Kusunoki" (Campus Tree) will be sung by elementary school students at the Nagasaki Peace Memorial Ceremony this year. "I'm the one who's most surprised that children will be singing my song," Fukuyama said. Since its release in 2014, the song has been sung by many people as a "song of peace" and is even used in school classes.

We hear about the struggles Fukuyama faced since his debut and the path he took to create this song. We also look at Fukuyama as he entrusts his song to the future as "everyone's song," realizing that "music may live longer than trees." With the threat of nuclear weapons still lingering in the world and the cycle of violence continuing, we question the meaning of delivering a message through the "power of song."

It will be broadcast on NHK General TV at 7:30 pm on August 5th.