Singer-songwriter Pikotaro

Bringing smiles to the world through music that transcends borders and generations.

Singer-songwriter Pikotaro

■ Profile
In 2016, the video of "PPAP (Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen)" uploaded to YouTube was picked up by Justin Bieber, CNN, BBC, and other global media outlets, becoming a worldwide sensation.
He was the first Japanese artist in 26 years to enter the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, and his song is recognized by the Guinness World Records as "the shortest song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100." He also attended a dinner party during President Trump's visit to Japan and served as an SDGs promotion ambassador appointed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

PPAP (Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen), a global mega-hit that swept Japan and around the world, celebrated its 10th anniversary on August 25th. With its unique rhythm and humor, it has captivated people across borders, languages, and generations. While delivering music and laughter, Pikotaro continues to give back to society through the power of entertainment, such as supporting children with cancer and serving as an ambassador for promoting the SDGs. We spoke with him about his activities.

When I make music, I use the home of my producer, Kosaka Daimaou. Ten years ago, after PPAP became a hit, Kosaka-san bought me music equipment and turned his home into a studio. So now I can record whenever I feel like it. Basically, for the past 10 years, I've been turning any song idea I come up with into a finished product, even shooting a video. I prioritize first inspiration, so I record it on my iPhone the moment I get an idea by humming, and that's about 90% complete. I released a lot of songs this time too, but I actually had about 100 songs in stock, and I just had to cut some down from there. During the pandemic, I realized that "useless things are actually necessary." Time to just zone out without looking at the internet, casual conversations with family, three hours of aimless chatting with friends. Maybe the best way to fill that "useless" space is "Piko Taro." While thinking about things like that, I kept turning my ideas into finished products, and before I knew it, 10 years had passed.

■ 'PPAP' transcends the world, language, and generations

What I remember most vividly is when a barefoot woman at a market in Uganda spotted me, picked up a pineapple, and said, "Hey, it's you." It really made me realize how amazing it is that I've become known all over the world. There was also a time when I received the loudest cheers at a gathering of soccer stars, and I thought, "I have to give back this power." I think when celebrities make donations or social statements, it's also a way of giving back. What was particularly significant for me was meeting Airi-chan, a girl who suffered from childhood cancer and passed away at the age of three. She loved my songs, and although she rarely smiled because she was undergoing surgery, she would smile so happily when I sang PPAP. ​​Seeing that, I realized how powerful that energy is. Time isn't equal for everyone. So even if I'm called a hypocrite, if it makes children smile in this moment, then that's all that matters to me.

■ Also dedicated to promoting the SDGs

The first thing I did as an SDGs promotion ambassador was to simply make people aware of the SDGs. About nine years ago, it was a matter of getting people to know the term, like, "What are the Sustainable Development Goals?" and "There are 17 of them." Then, a trend emerged of making fun of the SDGs, so I thought it would be good for me to take on that responsibility. I'm a clown, so being laughed at for "Piko Taro doing SDGs" actually makes people more interested. My performances also have a ripple effect because I convey that "I'm doing it." I myself have been doing public relations activities mainly focused on poverty, equality, world peace, and the environment. However, even if I pick up trash, there's a limit to how much I can pick up in a day. Rather, I believe my role is to broadly introduce what experts and professionals are working on. That's what I'm proud of.

■ The origins and birth of 'PPAP'

Actually, PPAP wasn't created with the intention of "let's make PPAP" from the start. Originally, there was a track for a comedy sketch called "Techno Gymnastics" that Kosaka-san made around 1995, and about 15 years ago, we started talking about using that track to make a song, Pico. One day, Kosaka-san and I played the song together and he said, "Okay, Pikotaro, sing," almost like a crazy request. At the time, I had a pen with me to write lyrics, so I blurted out, "I have a pen." Kosaka-san always had an apple, so I continued, "I have an apple," and combined pen and apple to make "Apple Pen." There was also a can of pineapple, so I did the same and it became "Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen." Actually, it's a word that was created from my own first-person perspective, Pico.

■ The difficulty of expression that transcends national borders

Ultimately, the greatest reward is seeing people all over the world laugh. It's especially difficult to get kids to laugh. With adults, you might be able to get a laugh by using slang, but kids don't have as much information. That's why things that are the same regardless of country or language, like a runny nose or falling down, are what make people laugh. When you think about it that way, it's really amazing that people in France, Spain, and Africa laugh at PPAP even though they speak different languages. On the other hand, when I'm overseas, I'm careful about differences in culture and customs. Gestures that are normal in Japan can be rude in other countries. So when I'm creating a song, I use AI and other tools to check how the words are perceived in other countries. To make people laugh all over the world, it's important not only to make them laugh, but also to understand their culture.　

■ 'PPAP' 10th Anniversary Live Concert to be Held

I want our 10th-anniversary live show to be a 90-minute fusion of laughter and music, Pico. While searching for music that goes beyond EDM and dubstep, this time we're also incorporating hardstyle and AI. With AI, we can even use performances by super guitarists. We'll pack Kosaka-san's humor and my songs into a show that kids can laugh and dance along to, Pico. We'll also lend out earmuffs for kids so they can enjoy themselves with peace of mind, Pico.

■ Do everything with seriousness

I think students are at their peak as animals. That's why you should put your all into whatever you can do now. It could be studying, romance, or even sleeping. Experiences where you work hard will definitely pay off later on. Habits, in particular, are formed when you're young. If you're watching a movie, ask yourself, "Who is this director?" If you're buying clothes, ask yourself, "Who is this designer?" If you're interested, immediately delve deeper. I want you to not just sample information, but to eat your fill of it. The hard work you put in now will make you think, "I'm so glad I did that," when you're around 40 years old.

Student Newspaper Online, August 6, 2026 Interview by Yurie Watanabe, 3rd year student at Josai International University / Tatsushi Harada, 2nd year student at Nihon University

■PPAP 10th Anniversary Live "PPAP X PT ~PPAP 10th Anniversary Premium Live~"

This performance is the culmination of the "Tottemo Release 80.8" project, which has been continuously releasing content as part of the "PPAP" 10th anniversary project.
The show will be a one-night-only special live performance, condensing the band's journey and evolution over the past 10 years, centered around their latest releases.
This will be their first solo live performance in approximately 10 years! Tickets are now on general sale!

Tatsushi Harada (2nd year, Nihon University) / Yuta Wakita (3rd year, Hosei University) / Emari Oike (1st year, Japan Women's University) / Reina Inomoto (1st year, Kyoto University of the Arts) / Yurie Watanabe (3rd year, Josai International University)