Ai wa Katsu

is a pop song written and recorded by Japanese singer-songwriter Kan, released as his eighth single in September 1990. It was initially featured on his album _Yakyū Senshu ga Yume datta_. The song became his first charting hit and the most successful single, selling over two million copies. It has been considered his signature song.

## Release

"Ai wa Katsu" is the first track of _Yakyu Senshu ga Yume datta_, Kan's fifth studio album released on July 25, 1990. Inspired by one of his most respected American singer Billy Joel, he wished to write a song as upbeat as Joel's Uptown Girl. "Ai wa Katsu" was the opening theme of a quiz show of TV Asahi in summer 1990, and released as the second single from the album.

For promotion, "Ai wa Katsu" first got intensive airplay on Kansai district's radio stations. The song had more attention in other Japanese regions, giving him the first chart entry. It was featured on the popular variety show _Yamada Katsutenai TV_ of Fuji Television, lifting the single to the summit of the Oricon Albums Chart by December 1990.

## Cover versions

- On August 28, 1991, Hong Kong singer Jacky Cheung covered it under 壯志驕陽 ("An Aspiring Sun") for his album 一顆不變心 ("An Unwavering Heart")
- On October 6, 2010, voice actor Shintarō Asanuma covered it for "Ōkami-san to Shichinin no Nakamatachi – Character Song Album – Otogi Songs Best 10".
- On May 25, 2011, voice actor Jun Fukuyama covered it for his third album "_Fukuyama Jun, Ai wo Utau!_".

## Other media

- The song was performed by the main character Jiro Suzuki in episode 6 of the anime カラオケ戦士マイク次郎 ("Karaoke Senshi Mike Jirou").
- On May 6, 2020, staff of the Shizuoka Gakuen Junior and Senior High School performed the song to encourage students during COVID-19. The video has been uploaded to its official YouTube channel.

## Track listing

All songs written by Kan:

## Personnel

Credits adapted from _Yakyū Senshu ga Yume datta_ album sleeve notes.

- Kan: lead vocals
- Shingo Kobayashi: Piano, synthesizer
- Eiji Shimamura: Drums
- Tsuyoshi Kon: guitar
- Kenji Takamizu: bass
- Wornell Jones: chorus
- J.T. Jamm: chorus

### Japan Record Awards

|-
|  style="width:35px; text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| 1991 ||rowspan="2"|  "Ai wa Katsu" || Japan Record Award – Pop/Rock  ||
|-
|Gold Disc Prize – Pop/Rock ||
|-

### Japan Gold Disc Awards

|-
| width="35" align="center"|1991|| "Ai wa Katsu" || The Best 5 Singles of Year ||
|-

### Weekly charts

|Chart (1990–91)|Position||
| --- | --- | --- |
|align="left"|Japanese Oricon Chart|1|

### Year-end charts

|Chart (1991)|Position||
| --- | --- | --- |
|align="left"|Japanese Oricon Singles Chart|3|

### All-time charts

|Chart (1968–2010)|Position||
| --- | --- | --- |
|align="left"|Japanese Oricon Singles Chart|23|

### Certifications

|Country|Provider|Title|Certification (<small>sales thresholds</small>)|Format|Date|
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
|Japan|RIAJ|"Ai wa Katsu"|2× Million|CD Single|1991|

## Related pages

- Hikaru Utada
- Akina Nakamori
- Hideaki Tokunaga

## Infobox (song)

- **name**: Ai wa Katsu
- **type**: Single (music), Single
- **artist**: Kan
- **album**: Yakyū Senshu ga Yume datta
- **b-side**: Soredemo Furarete shimau Yatsu
- **released**: September 1, 1990 <small>(Japan)</small>
- **recorded**: 1990
- **genre**: J-pop
- **length**: 4:07
- **label**: Polydor Records, Polydor
- **writer**: Kan
- **prev title**: Kenzen Anzen Kōseinen
- **prev year**: 1990
- **next title**: In the Name of Love
- **next year**: 1991