On this day, August 12, 1985, the deadliest single-aircraft accident in aviation history occurred.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Japan Airlines Flight 123


JA8119, the aircraft involved in the accident, at
Haneda Airport in 1984, one year before the crash

Accident
Date: August 12, 1985
Summary: In-flight structural failure due to improper maintenance, leading to rapid decompression, destruction of control systems and loss of control
Site: Mount Takamagahara, Ueno, Gunma Prefecture
Coordinates: 36°0'5"N 138°41'38"E

Japan Airlines Flight 123 was a scheduled domestic Japan Airlines passenger flight from Tokyo's Haneda Airport to Osaka International Airport, Japan. On August 12, 1985, a Boeing 747SR operating this route suffered a sudden decompression 12 minutes into the flight, and crashed in the area of Mount Takamagahara, Ueno, Gunma Prefecture, 100 km (62 mi; 54 nmi) from Tokyo 32 minutes later. The crash site was on Osutaka Ridge, near Mount Osutaka.

Japan's Aircraft Accident Investigation Commission officially concluded that the rapid decompression was caused by a faulty repair by Boeing technicians after a tailstrike incident during a landing at Osaka Airport in 1978. The rear bulkhead of the plane had been repaired with an improperly installed doubler plate, compromising the plane's airworthiness. Cabin pressurization continued to expand and contract the improperly repaired bulkhead until the day of the accident, when the faulty repair failed, causing a rapid decompression that ripped off a large portion of the tail and caused the loss of hydraulic controls to the entire plane.

The aircraft, configured with increased economy-class seating, was carrying 524 people. Casualties of the crash included all 15 crew members and 505 of the 509 passengers. Some of the passengers survived the initial crash, but died of their injuries hours later while awaiting rescue. It is the deadliest single-aircraft accident in aviation history.

{snip}

Passengers

{snip}

The four survivors, all female, were seated on the left side and toward the middle of seat rows 54–60, in the rear of the aircraft.

Kyu Sakamoto, who is famous for singing "Ue o Muite Arukō", known in Anglophone countries under the title "Sukiyaki", was among those who perished in the crash.

{snip}

Mon Aug 12, 2024: On this day, August 12, 1985, Kyu Sakamoto died in the crash of Japan Airlines Flight 123.

Sat Aug 12, 2023: On this day, August 12, 1985, Kyu Sakamoto died in the crash of Japan Airlines Flight 123.

Fri Aug 12, 2022: On this day, August 12, 1985, Kyu Sakamoto died in the crash of Japan Airlines Flight 123.

Thu Aug 12, 2021: On this day, August 12, 1985, Kyu Sakamoto died in the crash of Japan Airlines Flight 123.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

1. The Sukiyaki Song: What is it really about?

I'm adding this, in light of a recent post at DU.

Tue Sep 10, 2024: Many of us remember this

The Sukiyaki Song (Ue o Muite Aruko)
Rokusuke Ei and Hachidai Nakamura, 1963

Song Bakground

The lyrics of "Sukiyaki" were written by Rokusuke Ei (1933–2016) to express his frustration with the ratification of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between Japan and America. The Treaty, originally signed in 1951, granted the United States the right to maintain a military presence in the Asian nation. The renewal of the Treaty in 1959 sparked widespread student demonstrations. Ei voiced his disappointment in his lyrics, which describe a man who looks up to the sky to prevent his tears from falling. Despite his sadness, the lyrics optimistically look ahead to what might be coming: "A good fortune is beyond the clouds." The upbeat music of the song, written by Hachidai Nakamura (1931–92), reflects this optimism.


"Sukiyaki Song" single.

Originally titled "Ue o Muite Aruko," the song was renamed "Sukiyaki" when it was released in the United States. The performer was Kyu Sakamoto (1941–85), a clean-cut, twenty-one-year-old Japanese singing star with a vocal style and presence similar to contemporaneous teen idols Ricky Nelson and Bobby Darin. Upon its release, the song reached number one on the Billboard charts, making it the first song performed by an Asian to become a hit in America.

To many Americans, the song was symbolic of Japan's return to prominence after its defeat in the Second World War. When it was released, the 1964 Olympics were scheduled to take place in Tokyo and the Japanese economy was expanding. Rather than looking back at the failed protests surrounding the Treaty, the song was widely interpreted as reflecting on the aftermath of the war and looking forward to a better future.

Ei, who went on to be a well-known author and television personality, penned lyrics for other popular songs sung by Sakamoto and continued to collaborate with Nakamura.

{snip}