Yoichiro Ito, also known as AKAKAGE. While he may be familiar to club music fans, even those less acquainted with the genre have likely heard his work in various sound logos and program themes.
This year marks his 25th anniversary in music. This achievement, a testament to Ito's multifaceted career not just as a DJ but also as a composer and sound producer, can be considered a significant feat.

Ito“25 years feels long, yet at the same time, it feels like I'm still just getting started. That's what I'd tell myself – that I'm still on the journey.”

His words could be seen as humble, or perhaps as a declaration filled with a forward-looking spirit.

Ito“I grew up in Gifu, and I loved music from elementary school. But in high school, I was completely immersed in rugby, a period of musical silence. It was around my third year of high school that I became interested in fashion, which led me to pursue art school.”

After a year of preparatory school, he enrolled in Tama Art University. And in the architecture department, no less!

Ito“I was drawn to things that were a bit unusual, so I thought architecture in art school was fittingly unconventional (laughs). During my prep year in Nagoya, my passion for music reignited, and it escalated further once I entered university. I started throwing parties on campus, which led to my beginnings as a DJ.”

Amidst this, a remix of YMO, born from his activities with three friends in <Natural Essence>, garnered significant acclaim.

Ito“I was still seriously pursuing architecture, working part-time at a renowned architectural firm since my student days. But I decided to make a living through music.”

Starting as AKAKAGE

While activities as <Natural Essence> gained recognition in London and his music career began to flourish, Ito discovered a new path for his own interests.
“I wanted to do something different from <Natural Essence>, a sort of side project. That's when I thought of ninjas, and under the name <AKAKAGE>, I began a more multifaceted musical journey, exploring genres beyond the abstract, incorporating the Latin and jazz I originally loved.”

Stepping Further Ahead

This year also marks the 20th anniversary of his work as AKAKAGE.

Ito“Above all, the reason I've been able to continue this long is fundamentally my desire to make people happy through music. And for that, I felt I also needed to enjoy myself. I wasn't just focused on DJing; I was composing from the start and handled a considerable amount of remix work professionally. I don't want to be confined by genres or styles in my relationship with music.”

Indeed, it is this "love for music" that has sustained Ito's long career.
To commemorate this 25th anniversary, an analog 7-inch single will be released. The A-side, "Makimodoshi Tain Hodo no Shiawase" (Happiness Worth Rewinding), features Ken Yokoyama (Crazy Ken Band) on vocals and the horn section of Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, presenting a lively ska-kayō with lyrics by Atsushi Yanaka of Ska Para. The B-side, "Aoi Sekai feat. CRAZY KEN," also features vocals by Ken Yokoyama, a beautiful ballad with swinging band arrangements complemented by dramatic strings. The illustration of a reel-to-reel tape recorder on the jacket is by Yoichiro Ito himself.



Ito“Both are deeply meaningful songs to me. "Aoi Sekai feat. CRAZY KEN" was born from an image that rapidly expanded from the visuals of the CASIO OCEANUS watch I was involved with at the time. I wanted to capture the feeling of the watch and the city synchronizing and slowly revolving. And "Makimodoshi Tain Hodo no Shiawase," which I created as the 10th-anniversary song for OCEANUS, has lyrics by Mr. Yanaka of Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra. For both songs, the vocals are by Mr. Ken Yokoyama of Crazy Ken Band. He apparently doesn't usually sing on other people's songs, but I felt his vocals were absolutely essential, so I asked him, and he agreed. In retrospect, it was the perfect decision. Only Mr. Yokoyama can convey the depth of a man's emotions through his voice.”

While Ito's work as a DJ might suggest danceable tracks, "Aoi Sekai" is surprisingly a beautiful ballad.

Ito“Although I DJ, I approach composition with the mindset of a melody maker, so it doesn't feel contradictory. For "Makimodoshi Tain Hodo no Shiawase," I aimed for an authentic ska sound, and it turned out as intended. For both songs, I wanted to create music that would become a standard. Something that could be sung forever, something that would always sound wonderful. Naturally, good music transcends time and continues to be heard, and I want my songs to be like that too.”

Underlying this is Ito's fundamental desire, pursued since childhood, to bring joy to people through music.

Ito“Yes. But it's also about my own continuous evolution, and the drive to become someone who can create true standards within that process.”