From the Ship
GAKU-MC | Claiming the Future You Want
GAKU-MC, rapper, writer, and long time figure in the Japanese hip hop scene, appeared on board the 122nd Global Voyage for a special talk session with Peace Boat staff member Sumiko Hatakeyama. The conversation traced the experiences that have shaped his career and outlook, from his first encounter with Peace Boat to his return on this voyage.
Reflecting on travel, social change, and his own artistic path, GAKU-MC spoke about the motivations behind his diverse activities and the uncertainty that often accompanies taking unconventional directions. He emphasized the importance of continuing to engage with the world even when individual influence feels limited, referencing ongoing conflicts such as those in Gaza and Ukraine as issues that demand attention rather than distance.
Beyond music, GAKU-MC has built projects that connect people across boundaries. He is the founder of MIFA (Music Interact Football for All), an initiative that brings together music and football as tools for community building. After the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, he launched “Akari to Live,” a series of candlelight gatherings combining performance and remembrance. Environmental concerns and social engagement have also remained central to his work.
As a solo artist, GAKU-MC has released ten original albums and continues to write, compose, and appear across radio and television. Despite his wide range of creative activities, he described live performance as the place where he feels most fully connected, noting that he still performs dozens of concerts each year.
Throughout the session, music emerged not only as a form of expression but as a means of sustaining dialogue and connection. GAKU-MC’s reflections suggested that shaping the future is less about grand gestures and more about sustained involvement, creative action, and the willingness to remain open to others.
Events like this highlight the role of artists on board Peace Boat, offering participants an opportunity to reflect on how culture, communication, and personal choices intersect with wider global challenges.