Qualified to be Human

"The title to this song is most likely a reference to the famous novel by Osamu Dazai, which has a similar title – Ningen Shikkaku, or No Longer Human in English. A literal translation of the title is, according to Donald Keene, Disqualified from Being Human, and as there’s not really an easy way to make an inverted title for No Longer Human, I’ve rendered it as a take-off on the literal title. I’ve also seen it given as “Successful Human”, but I don’t think that really captures the same nuances."

One of two tracks on the 1985 Jun Togawa Unit album Far Eastern Comfort Songs (極東慰安唱歌) that were removed from the original release by their leader, who wanted a good-sounding 45rpm mini-LP. This delayed a CD release, as it left the 12-inch single without enough material for the standards of the time. Regulations were loosened by 1987, when it was finally reissued with those tracks included, a sequencing that all subsequent versions adhere to. Togawa—the sole credited composer—notes that the chords and rhythm of the song are near identical to those of Paul Anka's 1958 song "Crazy Love".

It was performed on her Error Force set, scheduled for 18:40-19:10 at 23 September 1990, where she was accompanied by a quintet that was half Susumu Hirasawa's solo backing band and half Defrosted P-Model.

Connections

 * Togawa would later reference another Dazai story in "Men's Junan".