English Edition "Music Sets You Free" (Translated by Sam Bett), Combining Ryuichi Sakamoto's Autobiographies "Music Makes You Free" and "How Many More Times Will I See the Full Moon?" into One Volume, to be Published in September 2026!

"Music Makes You Free," which chronicles the first half of his life, and "How Many More Times Will I See the Full Moon?", which records the latter half of his life until he passed away at the age of 71 on March 28, 2023, mourned by many, have been combined into a single volume. The US edition will be published by HarperVia and the UK edition by William Collins starting September 22, 2026. The title is "Music Sets You Free." It covers the untold stories behind his creations, daily events, his battle with illness, and Ryuichi Sakamoto's final moments. The words of Ryuichi Sakamoto, who lived alongside music, will now spread to the world.

"Music Makes You Free" is his first autobiography in which he spoke vividly about his passion for music in his own words. It reflects on Ryuichi Sakamoto's life up to the age of 57, as he continued to create music, covering memories of his father who was a legendary editor, student movements during his high school days, the frenzy of YMO, the struggles and glory of "The Last Emperor," and the shock of the September 11 attacks.

"How Many More Times Will I See the Full Moon?" details the philosophy supporting his creations and social movements, his diverse activities transcending borders, his feelings for his family, living with cancer, and his thoughts on the world after he is gone. It is a book overflowing with Ryuichi Sakamoto's words, woven before "that day" came, with the intention of leaving his footprints up to his final years for the future. At the end of the book, in place of an "afterword" by the deceased author himself, a newly written manuscript by his close friend Masafumi Suzuki, who served as the listener and transcriber for his dictation, is included.

■ Translator Profile: Sam Bett

Born in 1986. Translator of Japanese literature. Graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with honors in Japanese literature and Anglo-American literature. In 2015, he won the Grand Prize in the 2nd JLPP International Translation Competition. His translations include Osamu Dazai's "The Flowers of Buffoonery" and "The Beggar Student," and Yukio Mishima's "Star." Co-translations with David Boyd include Mieko Kawakami's "Breasts and Eggs," "Heaven" (shortlisted for the 2022 International Booker Prize), "All the Lovers in the Night," and many others. In 2025, his translation of Akira Otani's "The Night of Baba Yaga" made headlines when it won the Crime Writers' Association (CWA) Dagger Award. He was also awarded the Commissioner for Cultural Affairs Special Commendation in FY2025.

■ Author Profile: Ryuichi Sakamoto

Born in Tokyo on January 17, 1952. Completed a master's degree at the Tokyo University of the Arts Graduate School. Made his solo debut in 1978 with "Thousand Knives." That same year, he participated in the formation of YMO. After the group scattered in 1983, he released works such as "Ongaku Zukan" (Illustrated Musical Encyclopedia), "BEAUTY," "async," and "12," earning worldwide acclaim for his continuous pursuit of innovative sounds. In film music, he won numerous awards, including the BAFTA Award for Best Film Music for "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence," and the Academy Award for Best Original Score, Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score, and Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media for "The Last Emperor." He also actively crossed over into the art world with stage works like "LIFE" and "TIME," and large-scale installation exhibitions in South Korea and China. He frequently spoke out on environmental and peace issues, founding the forest conservation organization "more trees." He also established the "Tohoku Youth Orchestra" to support the musical activities of children in disaster-stricken areas. Passed away on March 28, 2023.

■ Book Data

[Title] "Music Makes You Free"
[Author] Ryuichi Sakamoto
[Release Date] April 19, 2023
[Price] 1,100 yen (tax included)
[Format] Bunko size (Paperback)
[ISBN] 978-4-10-129122-2

[URL] https://www.shinchosha.co.jp/book/129122/

[Title] "How Many More Times Will I See the Full Moon?"
[Author] Ryuichi Sakamoto
[Release Date] June 21, 2023
[Price] 2,090 yen (tax included)
[Format] 46 size (Standard hardcover/softcover)
[ISBN] 978-4-10-410603-5

[URL] https://www.shinchosha.co.jp/book/410603/