Yang points out that Kawakami's creations go beyond mere songs. "His Japanese heritage and his capability to blend Chinese and Japanese cultures in his work offer a fresh outlook on cultural exchange, nurturing mutual understanding and appreciation between the two nations," she adds.

Both Chinese composers wrote music to go with Kawakami's lyrics free of charge.

Looking to the future, Kawakami envisions a continued journey of musical exploration, with the aim of touching the hearts of even more listeners in China. He talks of plans to enlist Japanese singers to perform his compositions, aspiring to "have a similar impact as Love Story in Wuxi did, using music to introduce Wuxi to a wider audience".

Zhao Guangmei and Xiang Wenjian contributed to this story.