LOS ANGELES (Kyodo) If one had to come up with an internationally popular Japanese song, "Sukiyaki (Ue-o Muite Aruko)" would certainly come to mind. It was the first Japanese song to get a Gold Record in the U.S., in 1963, with 1.3 million records sold in about 70 countries.

The song's success came at a time when Japan was frantically trying to catch up with the rest of the world after World War II.

Surprisingly, the song (words and music by Rokusuke Ei and Hachidai Nakamura and originally sung by Kyu Sakamoto) is still being recorded by musicians all over the world. Why is it so popular?