Ryuichi Sakamoto

Japan, 1975–2023

Japanese composer (1952-2023), conservatory-trained and endlessly restless. A founder of Yellow Magic Orchestra, he went on to Oscar-winning film scores (The Last Emperor) and the enduring 'Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence', moving between synth-pop, orchestral writing and spare late-period ambient work.

Influenced by

• Claude Debussy
• Kraftwerk
• John Cage
• The Beatles

Influenced

• Yellow Magic Orchestra