# Tokyo Film Fest Opener 'Sukiyaki' Director on the Hit's Protest Roots

Director Zeze Takahisa opened the Tokyo International Film Festival with "Sukiyaki," a film tracing the unlikely global journey of the 1961 Japanese pop hit. Zeze said the song's origins lie in protest culture, and argued that Japanese culture was once far more open than it is today. The film highlights how a melancholy tune became an international standard despite its political undertones.

**Importance:** 2/5

## Sources

### Entertainment
- [Variety](https://variety.com/2026/film/festivals/tokyo-opener-sukiyaki-director-zeze-takahisa-song-protest-roots-1236932574/) — Wed, 28 Oct 2026 01:06:18 +0000