[2025] A roundup of Western songs that include Japanese

SumahamaThe Beach Boys

Sumahama (Remastered 2000)

The Beach Boys’ 1979 release “Sumahama” is an unexpected track that suddenly features Japanese.

While the band is strongly associated with images of California sun and beaches, this song is said to be about Suma Beach in Kobe, Japan, just as the title suggests.

It’s long been something of a mystery among fans, but there’s a report online from someone who asked Mike directly when he visited Japan—so be sure to look it up.

When Japanese suddenly pops up in Western music, it feels fresh to listeners and makes you perk up and pay attention, doesn’t it?

Lost In TranslationLogic

Logic – Lost In Translation (Official Audio)

A track by the American rapper Logic that leaves a vivid impression with its hip-hop sound interwoven with Japanese.

Set over a beat reminiscent of the early ’90s Brooklyn hip-hop scene, the sharp lyrics delve into success, fame, and rebuttals to critics.

Positioned as the closing track on the May 2019 album Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, it features Japanese narration toward the end, delivering a provocative yet humorous message: “Wasn’t that the best?” Coupled with the anecdote that this segment was completed during his stay in Japan, the song’s appeal is heightened even further.

It’s a track I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone who feels frustration when their message isn’t understood or who struggles with communication across cultures.

SamuraiLupe Fiasco

Lupe Fiasco – Samurai (Official Music Video)

A powerful track by American artist Lupe Fiasco that shines as a homage to the late Amy Winehouse.

It’s an inventive piece that weaves Japanese phrases into a fusion of jazz and hip-hop.

The everyday line “I read a book, took a bath, and went to sleep” symbolically expresses the inner life of an artist buffeted by fame.

Released in June 2024 as the title track of his ninth album, Samurai, the song is inspired by an anecdote in which the late Amy Winehouse once referred to herself as a “lyrical samurai.” Its lyrics, portraying the struggles of the music industry and the pursuit of creativity, are sure to resonate with those grappling with the artist’s path.

Friends (feat. ScHoolboy Q)Mac Miller

Mac Miller – Friends (feat. ScHoolboy Q)

A track brimming with exotic flair, including Japanese lyrics, appears in the work of American rapper Mac Miller.

Released on the 2014 mixtape Faces, this song—featuring ScHoolboy Q—chronicles a story of friendship.

Over a relaxed, jazz-inflected beat, the two rappers speak candidly about the loneliness behind success and the value of true friendship.

A heartfelt cry of “I need friends” surfaces throughout, conveying not just a pursuit of outward success but a longing for inner peace.

The lyrics, which depict the struggle for success and a sense of responsibility toward family, hold a depth that may not be apparent on first listen.

Try listening in a calm setting to fully absorb the weight of the words.

Harajuku GirlsGwen Stefani

Harajuku Girls

Harajuku Girls, included on Gwen Stefani’s 2004 album Love.

Angel.

Music.

Baby.

, is a groundbreaking track inspired by Tokyo’s Harajuku culture.

Sprinkled with Japanese and woven with lyrics about distinctive fashion and subcultures, it’s simply wonderful.

While there has been criticism that it constitutes cultural appropriation, you can still strongly feel Gwen’s deep admiration and curiosity for Harajuku through the song.

Its exotic fusion of Japanese and Western elements makes it unforgettable after just one listen.

Cheeky But Charming ft. KUROMIMae Stephens

Mae Stephens – Cheeky But Charming ft. KUROMI

Cheeky But Charming ft.

KUROMI, a Western pop track sprinkled with Japanese, is a song by rising star Mae Stephens featuring none other than Kuromi, the beloved Sanrio character adored across generations.

Digitally released on October 24, 2023 for music fans around the world, the track offers a unique experience as if two cultures were fused together.

Riding an upbeat rhythm, the cute yet punchy lyrics will draw you in from the very first listen.

Kuromi’s spoken parts add a touch of adorable charm that tickles the listener’s heart.

It’s a collaboration between an overseas artist and a Japanese character that few would have imagined possible—and it’s already captivating a growing number of fans.

Song for the DumpedBen Folds Five

Ben Folds Five – Song for the Dumped

The piano rock trio Ben Folds Five subtly weaves Japanese into their 1997 song “Song for the Dumped,” blending the frustration and irony of a breakup.

Their distinctive sound, infused with jazz and improvisation, finds a new harmony in the sudden flashes of Japanese, creating a fresh way to express loneliness and frustration.

Many years have passed since their big breakthrough in the United States, yet the song’s defiant spirit continues to resonate undiminished.

Among artists who have incorporated Japanese, Ben Folds Five’s attempt stands out as uniquely surprising and remarkable.