ShuenrokuAn archive of musicians' final live performances

Planned as the final showNippon Budokan

The Checkers' last concert: the final night of FINAL TOUR at the Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, December 28, 1992

The Checkers, a seven-piece Japanese band, announced their breakup in 1992, the tenth year since their debut. Their FINAL TOUR played seven cities that December and ended with four nights at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo. The last night, December 28, was their last concert; the final song, "I Have a Dream," was sung in chorus to a single acoustic guitar.

Illustration of a round stage in the middle of a dark arena, with light from above falling on an acoustic guitar at the center and a bass, a drum kit, a saxophone and three stand microphones on either side
IllustrationA round stage, and an acoustic guitar in the light.
Date [5][15][8][14]
VenueNippon Budokan (Tokyo)
EventFINAL TOUR (final night of the tour) [9][6][14][15]
TourFINAL TOUR [5][6][8]
All datesDecember 25, 1992, December 26, 1992, December 27, 1992, December 28, 1992 [8]
CategoryPlanned as the final show
Why it endedBreakup [5][6][7]
LineupFumiya Fujii, Yoshihiko Takamoku, Masaharu Tsuruku, Toru Takeuchi, Yuji Odoi, Yoshiya Tokunaga, Naoyuki Fujii [1][10]
Attendance UnverifiedNo official or press figure for this night's attendance has been found.
Last song performed“I Have a Dream” [12][13][14][6][17]
Songs performed24 songsSee the setlist ↓
Video releaseYes [14][13][19][16][6]

About the artist

The Checkers were seven: three singers, Fumiya Fujii, Yoshihiko Takamoku and Masaharu Tsuruku, plus Toru Takeuchi on guitar, Yuji Odoi on bass, Yoshiya Tokunaga on drums and Naoyuki Fujii on saxophone[1]. Fumiya Fujii recalls that he started playing in a band with Naoyuki in junior high school and formed the Checkers in high school[2].

They debuted on September 21, 1983, with the single "Gizagiza Heart no Komoriuta" ("lullaby of a jagged heart")[3][4]. Fumiya remembers going to a record shop in Meguro, Tokyo, that day to check that it was really on the shelves, and then having little to do. About six months later the second single, "Namida no Request" ("a tearful request"), was their breakthrough[3]. It sold about 662,000 copies, and with the debut single and the third, "Kanashikute Jealousy," it gave the band three songs in the Oricon top 10 at once; that year they also made their first appearance on NHK's Kohaku Uta Gassen[4]. Young fans copied their hair and clothes, which Oricon News calls a social phenomenon[5]. Fumiya later said he had never expected them to become idols, and blamed the checked outfits[3].

Why this was the last show

The Checkers announced their breakup in 1992, the tenth year since their debut; Oricon News and THE FIRST TIMES both describe the announcement as sudden[5][6]. THE FIRST TIMES has also written that they announced it at the height of their success, after a career of only ten years[7]. Contemporary reports giving the date of the announcement, or any reason stated officially at the time, have not been verified.

Their last tour, FINAL TOUR, played seven cities in December[5][6]. According to the contents of THE CHECKERS CHRONICLE 1992 IV FINAL TOUR "ACCESS ALL AREA," a film that follows the tour from its rehearsals, the final rehearsal took place on November 29. The tour opened at the Tsukisamu Green Dome in Sapporo on December 3 and 4, went on to Yokohama Arena, Sendai Sun Plaza, Fukuoka Kokusai Center, four nights at Osaka-jo Hall and Nagoya Rainbow Hall, and ended with four nights at the Nippon Budokan, December 25 to 28[8].

After the Budokan, the band appeared on NHK's 43rd Kohaku Uta Gassen on December 31. They sang a "Farewell Medley" of five songs, from the debut single to the last one, "Present for you"[9]; it was their final performance before the breakup[10][11], and the band broke up at the end of 1992[5]. Their last stage was on television; their last concert was the one at the Budokan on the 28th.

What is known about the day

December 28, 1992, was the last night of FINAL TOUR and the fourth of the four nights at the Budokan[5][8]. The Checkers had first given a concert there on December 25, 1985[2]; the final run began on the same date seven years later.

The stage was a round platform in the very middle of the arena floor, with the audience all around it. The four instrumentalists came out first and played "FINAL LAP," an instrumental from the band's last album, BLUE MOON STONE. Near the end of it the three singers joined them, and Fumiya Fujii introduced the band and shouted "WE ARE THE CHECKERS!" again and again. The two side vocalists sang lead on many songs. Naoyuki Fujii sang as well as played saxophone on the ballad "Lonely Soldier," and drummer Yoshiya Tokunaga took the lead vocal on "Aoi Me no High School Queen." An acoustic segment featured the soul music at the band's roots, and the members talked about how they first met and about their debut. They also played "Kamisama Onegai," a doo-wop cover that had been a staple since their amateur days. Near the end, "IT'S ALRIGHT," "See you yesterday" and "90's S.D.R." were played without a break[1], and the main set closed with "Present for you," the title song of their last single[12].

For the encore, the seven came back in checked outfits that recalled their debut. Fumiya said the seven of them had set out together from Kurume, and that the hard times had never felt hard because there were seven of them. In "Long Road," a ballad of thanks to the fans, he broke down in tears and could not sing, and the audience's voices filled the hall[12]. The encore went on with "Friends and Dream" and a reggae-flavored "Standing on the Rainbow", and the second encore was "Rainbow Station" and "I Have a Dream"[12][13][14].

The last song, "I Have a Dream," was sung in chorus, accompanied only by Toru Takeuchi on acoustic guitar. That night Fumiya told the fans that the Checkers would stay in their hearts just as they were, unchanged, and asked them to treasure the Checkers they carried inside. The seven left the stage with their last words: "Let's hang out again! See ya! So long!"[12] The video's track list gives the night's setlist as "FINAL LAP" and 24 songs[13].

What the show left behind

The audio came out on March 19, 1993, as a two-CD set titled FINAL (ラスト武道館ライブ 1992.12.28), "last Budokan live." It holds 20 songs and leaves out the final "I Have a Dream"[15].

The concert film was released on DVD as THE CHECKERS CHRONICLE 1992 III FINAL TOUR and reissued at a lower price on January 15, 2014[16]. A Blu-ray, 1992 FINAL TOUR (Director's Cut), followed on November 18, 2015; its description presents it as the final night of the tour at the Budokan, encores included[14].

In January 2022, thirty years after the breakup, a version restored to near-4K picture quality was broadcast on NHK's satellite channel[6]. It was shown for one night in cinemas across Japan on May 29[17][1], and streamed from July 9 with about an hour of extra footage, including the Kohaku medley[18][9]. On December 20, 2023, in the 40th year since their debut, the Blu-ray THE CHECKERS 40th ANNIVERSARY FINAL TOUR [Remaster Edition] brought the 2015 master up to near-4K quality and added a Dolby Atmos mix[19][13].

Fumiya Fujii began his solo career in earnest in 1993[2]. Drummer Yoshiya Tokunaga died on August 17, 2004, at the age of 40[20]. In June 2024, Fumiya played the Budokan for the 111th time[2].

The hall where the Checkers first played at Christmas 1985 was where the seven said goodbye.

Context for readers

Idols with instruments. The Checkers played their own instruments, yet they were received as idols, Japan's word for young pop stars. Fumiya Fujii has said he never expected that, and that with music shows on every network in prime time, it was as if the band had three or four weekly TV programs of their own[3].

Kohaku Uta Gassen. NHK's New Year's Eve music show. The Checkers first appeared on it in 1984[4], and the 1992 edition was their last performance as a band[11].

The Nippon Budokan. Completed in central Tokyo in 1964 and opened with the Olympic judo competition. Its first concert was held in 1965, and after the Beatles played there in 1966 it became established as a concert venue[21].

Names. Japanese names are given in Western order (given name first). At the time, Fumiya Fujii wrote his given name in kanji (郁弥); he now writes it in katakana (フミヤ)[1].

Setlist

24 songs [13][14][16][6][17][15][1][12]
1. FINAL LAP2. ギザギザハートの子守唄3. Yellow Cab4. 80%5. NANA6. Lonely Soldier7. I Love you, SAYONARA8. 夜明けのブレス9. 涙のリクエスト10. 青い目のHigh School Queen11. 時のK-City12. 神様お願い13. Hello14. ミセス マーメイド15. HEART IS GUN〜ピストルを手に入れた夜〜16. 愛と夢のFASCIST17. IT'S ALRIGHT18. See you yesterday19. 90's S.D.R.20. Present for you21. Long Road22. Friends and Dream23. Standing on the Rainbow24. Rainbow Station25. I Have a Dream

Main set Encore Cover Last song

  1. FINAL LAP · an instrumental from the last album, BLUE MOON STONE, played by the four instrumentalists to open the show (Real Sound); not counted as a song
  2. ギザギザハートの子守唄 “Gizagiza Heart no Komoriuta” (lullaby of a jagged heart) · the 1983 debut single
  3. Yellow Cab
  4. 80% · written "80％" in the official setlist for the 2022 screenings
  5. NANA
  6. Lonely Soldier · a ballad on which Naoyuki Fujii sang as well as played saxophone (Real Sound)
  7. I Love you, SAYONARA · written "I Love you,SAYONARA" on the 2023 Blu-ray
  8. 夜明けのブレス “Yoake no Breath” (breath at dawn)
  9. 涙のリクエスト “Namida no Request” (a tearful request) · on the 2015 and 2023 Blu-rays, this song is preceded by an entry for the acoustic segment (with talk)
  10. 青い目のHigh School Queen “Aoi Me no High School Queen” (blue-eyed high school queen) · drummer Yoshiya Tokunaga sang lead (Real Sound); on the 2014 DVD (THE CHECKERS CHRONICLE 1992 III FINAL TOUR), this song and the next are not listed separately but grouped as the acoustic segment
  11. 時のK-City “Toki no K-City”
  12. 神様お願い “Kamisama Onegai” (please, God) · Cover · a doo-wop cover that had been a staple since the band's amateur days (Real Sound); listed as "神様お願い(TRICKLE TRICKLE)" in the official setlist for the 2022 screenings; the 1993 CD gives "TRICKLE TRICKLE" as the original title
  13. Hello
  14. ミセス マーメイド “Mrs. Mermaid” · written "ミセスマーメイド" in the official setlist for the 2022 screenings
  15. HEART IS GUN〜ピストルを手に入れた夜〜 “HEART IS GUN ~Pistol o Te ni Ireta Yoru~”
  16. 愛と夢のFASCIST “Ai to Yume no FASCIST”
  17. IT'S ALRIGHT · the first of three songs played without a break, through "90's S.D.R." (Real Sound)
  18. See you yesterday
  19. 90's S.D.R.
  20. Present for you · closed the main set; the title song of the last single (Real Sound)
  21. EncoreLong Road · first song of the encore; a ballad of thanks to the fans (Real Sound)
  22. Friends and Dream
  23. Standing on the Rainbow · played in a reggae style (Real Sound)
  24. Encore 2Rainbow Station · second encore (as divided on the 2015 and 2023 Blu-rays)
  25. I Have a Dream · the last song, sung in chorus to Toru Takeuchi's acoustic guitar alone (Real Sound); listed as "I have a dream (ACOUSTIC VERSION)" on the Blu-rays

Another final curtain

More last nights of bands who had decided to break up.

TimelineCareer span, final show and later events, limited to what sources confirm.
1990200020102020September 21, 1983 The Checkers debut with the single "Gizagiza Heart no Komoriuta."1984 The second single, "Namida no Request," becomes the band's breakthrough, and they appear on NHK's Kohaku Uta Gassen for the first time.December 25, 1985 The band give their first concert at the Nippon Budokan.1992 In the tenth year since their debut, the band announce their breakup.December 1992 The Checkers break up at the end of the year.December 3, 1992 FINAL TOUR opens at the Tsukisamu Green Dome in Sapporo (seven cities in all).December 31, 1992 On NHK's 43rd Kohaku Uta Gassen, the band sing a "Farewell Medley", their last performance before the breakup.1993 Fumiya Fujii begins his solo career in earnest.March 19, 1993 A two-CD set of 20 songs from the final night, FINAL (ラスト武道館ライブ 1992.12.28), is released.August 17, 2004 Yoshiya Tokunaga dies at the age of 40.January 15, 2014 The DVDs THE CHECKERS CHRONICLE 1992 III FINAL TOUR and the tour film THE CHECKERS CHRONICLE 1992 IV FINAL TOUR "ACCESS ALL AREA" are reissued at a lower price.November 18, 2015 The Blu-ray 1992 FINAL TOUR (Director's Cut) is released.January 2022 A remastered version, restored to near-4K picture quality, is broadcast on NHK's satellite channel.May 29, 2022 The remastered film is shown for one night in cinemas across Japan.July 9, 2022 THE CHECKERS FINAL TOUR SPECIAL, with extra footage, is streamed.December 20, 2023 The Blu-ray THE CHECKERS 40th ANNIVERSARY FINAL TOUR [Remaster Edition] is released.December 28, 199220002020September 21, 1983 The Checkers debut with the single "Gizagiza Heart no Komoriuta."1984 The second single, "Namida no Request," becomes the band's breakthrough, and they appear on NHK's Kohaku Uta Gassen for the first time.December 25, 1985 The band give their first concert at the Nippon Budokan.1992 In the tenth year since their debut, the band announce their breakup.December 1992 The Checkers break up at the end of the year.December 3, 1992 FINAL TOUR opens at the Tsukisamu Green Dome in Sapporo (seven cities in all).December 31, 1992 On NHK's 43rd Kohaku Uta Gassen, the band sing a "Farewell Medley", their last performance before the breakup.1993 Fumiya Fujii begins his solo career in earnest.March 19, 1993 A two-CD set of 20 songs from the final night, FINAL (ラスト武道館ライブ 1992.12.28), is released.August 17, 2004 Yoshiya Tokunaga dies at the age of 40.January 15, 2014 The DVDs THE CHECKERS CHRONICLE 1992 III FINAL TOUR and the tour film THE CHECKERS CHRONICLE 1992 IV FINAL TOUR "ACCESS ALL AREA" are reissued at a lower price.November 18, 2015 The Blu-ray 1992 FINAL TOUR (Director's Cut) is released.January 2022 A remastered version, restored to near-4K picture quality, is broadcast on NHK's satellite channel.May 29, 2022 The remastered film is shown for one night in cinemas across Japan.July 9, 2022 THE CHECKERS FINAL TOUR SPECIAL, with extra footage, is streamed.December 20, 2023 The Blu-ray THE CHECKERS 40th ANNIVERSARY FINAL TOUR [Remaster Edition] is released.December 28, 1992
  1. Active years (September 21, 1983 – December 28, 1992)
  2. The Checkers debut with the single "Gizagiza Heart no Komoriuta."
  3. The second single, "Namida no Request," becomes the band's breakthrough, and they appear on NHK's Kohaku Uta Gassen for the first time.
  4. The band give their first concert at the Nippon Budokan.
  5. In the tenth year since their debut, the band announce their breakup.
  6. The Checkers break up at the end of the year.
  7. FINAL TOUR opens at the Tsukisamu Green Dome in Sapporo (seven cities in all).
  8. Final show
  9. On NHK's 43rd Kohaku Uta Gassen, the band sing a "Farewell Medley", their last performance before the breakup.
  10. Fumiya Fujii begins his solo career in earnest.1 year later
  11. A two-CD set of 20 songs from the final night, FINAL (ラスト武道館ライブ 1992.12.28), is released.1 year later
  12. Yoshiya Tokunaga dies at the age of 40.12 years later
  13. The DVDs THE CHECKERS CHRONICLE 1992 III FINAL TOUR and the tour film THE CHECKERS CHRONICLE 1992 IV FINAL TOUR "ACCESS ALL AREA" are reissued at a lower price.22 years later
  14. The Blu-ray 1992 FINAL TOUR (Director's Cut) is released.23 years later
  15. A remastered version, restored to near-4K picture quality, is broadcast on NHK's satellite channel.30 years later
  16. The remastered film is shown for one night in cinemas across Japan.30 years later
  17. THE CHECKERS FINAL TOUR SPECIAL, with extra footage, is streamed.30 years later
  18. The Blu-ray THE CHECKERS 40th ANNIVERSARY FINAL TOUR [Remaster Edition] is released.31 years later

Watch / buyPR

We may earn a commission if you buy through these links. Details

  • THE CHECKERS 40th ANNIVERSARY FINAL TOUR【Remaster Edition】

    THE CHECKERS 40th ANNIVERSARY FINAL TOUR【Remaster Edition】

    Coverage unverifiedBlu-ray · Released December 20, 2023 · Cat. no. PCXP-51020

    The main feature is the 2015 director's cut master upgraded to near-4K picture quality, with a Dolby Atmos mix added (THE FIRST TIMES). It holds "FINAL LAP" and 24 songs, with both encores marked (Tower Records; 3 hours 11 minutes). No official description says whether the whole show is included. The bonus footage, two songs from Nakano Sunplaza on September 4, 1987, is not from this show.

    CDJapanAmazon.co.jp楽天市場

  • 1992 FINAL TOUR (Director's Cut)

    Coverage unverifiedBlu-ray · Released November 18, 2015 · Cat. no. PCXP-50344

    The description presents it as the final night of the December 1992 tour at the Budokan, encores included (Tower Records; 3 hours 3 minutes), without saying it is the complete show. Same running order as the 2023 remaster. No purchase links: no listing was found under its catalog number on Rakuten, and no Amazon product page was found.

    CDJapan

  • THE CHECKERS CHRONICLE 1992 III FINAL TOUR

    THE CHECKERS CHRONICLE 1992 III FINAL TOUR

    Coverage unverifiedDVD · Released January 15, 2014 · Cat. no. PCBP-52807

    A lower-priced reissue of an earlier DVD (Tower Records; 3 hours 7 minutes). The recording date and whether the whole show is included are not stated. The running order matches the Blu-rays, except that "Aoi Me no High School Queen" and "Toki no K-City" are not listed separately but grouped as the acoustic segment. Only the 2014 edition is listed here; the original DVD has a different catalog number.

    CDJapan楽天市場

  • FINAL（ラスト武道館ライブ 1992.12.28）

    PartialCD · Released March 19, 1993 · Cat. no. PCCA-439

    Two discs, 20 songs (BOOKOFF product page). It leaves out "Lonely Soldier," "Aoi Me no High School Queen," "Toki no K-City" and "Standing on the Rainbow," which are on the video, as well as the last song, "I Have a Dream" (Tower Records). No longer available new; the Rakuten link is a keyword search because the catalog number finds nothing (used copies only).

    CDJapanAmazon.co.jp楽天市場

Supported by Rakuten Developers

Sources

  1. チェッカーズ、伝説の『FINAL TOUR』武道館公演の衝撃が鮮明に甦るーー配信ライブに先駆け行われた劇場上映の熱狂 — リアルサウンド, June 26, 2022 (accessed 2026-10-15)
  2. 【ライブレポート】藤井フミヤが111回目の日本武道館公演を開催！40周年記念ツアー最終公演のレポート到着 — THE FIRST TIMES, June 10, 2024 (accessed 2026-10-16)
  3. 藤井フミヤ、3年ぶりアルバム『フジイロック』 「2世代で楽しめる」とアピール — ORICON NEWS, July 9, 2019 (accessed 2026-10-16)
  4. チェッカーズ デビュー40周年、“混沌の80年代カルチャー”から生まれた伝説のロックバンドの軌跡 — WEBザテレビジョン, November 30, 2023 (accessed 2026-10-16)
  5. チェッカーズ、衝撃の解散から30年…伝説のラストライブを全国劇場で上映へ — ORICON NEWS, February 14, 2022 (accessed 2026-10-16)
  6. チェッカーズのラストライブが、5.1ch・デジタルリマスター版で全国劇場上映決定 — THE FIRST TIMES, February 14, 2022 (accessed 2026-10-15)
  7. チェッカーズの貴重なNHK出演映像を満載！ 教養講座『ロックン・ロール大学 チェッカーズ学』開講 — THE FIRST TIMES, June 23, 2023 (accessed 2026-10-16)
  8. THE CHECKERS CHRONICLE 1992 IV FINAL TOUR "ACCESS ALL AREA" — タワーレコード オンライン（商品ページ） (accessed 2026-10-16)
  9. チェッカーズ、伝説のラストライブの配信迫る！ 配信限定特典映像のセットリスト発表 — THE FIRST TIMES, June 17, 2022 (accessed 2026-10-15)
  10. チェッカーズ、NHK収蔵の映像集めたBlu-ray BOX詳細情報＆PV公開　デビュー40周年記念展開催も — リアルサウンド, September 1, 2023 (accessed 2026-10-16)
  11. チェッカーズのNHK番組映像がYouTubeにて毎月公開！第1弾は『NHK紅白歌合戦』 — THE FIRST TIMES, December 25, 2025 (accessed 2026-10-16)
  12. チェッカーズ、伝説の『FINAL TOUR』武道館公演の衝撃が鮮明に甦るーー配信ライブに先駆け行われた劇場上映の熱狂（2ページ目） — リアルサウンド, June 26, 2022 (accessed 2026-10-15)
  13. THE CHECKERS 40th ANNIVERSARY FINAL TOUR 【Remaster Edition】 — タワーレコード オンライン（商品ページ） (accessed 2026-10-16)
  14. 1992 FINAL TOUR (Director's Cut) — タワーレコード オンライン（商品ページ） (accessed 2026-10-16)
  15. FINAL(ラスト武道館ライブ 1992.12.28) — ブックオフ公式オンラインストア（商品ページ） (accessed 2026-10-16)
  16. THE CHECKERS CHRONICLE 1992 III FINAL TOUR — タワーレコード オンライン（商品ページ） (accessed 2026-10-16)
  17. 『劇場上映版 チェッカーズ FINAL TOUR【リマスター版】』上映日が決定　新たな予告編も — ぴあ, March 23, 2022 (accessed 2026-10-15)
  18. チェッカーズ、日本武道館でのラストライブ『FINAL TOUR』の映像リマスター版が配信決定 — THE FIRST TIMES, June 3, 2022 (accessed 2026-10-15)
  19. チェッカーズ、ラストライブ『FINAL TOUR』Blu-rayの予告映像公開！ 作品詳細も決定 — THE FIRST TIMES, October 20, 2023 (accessed 2026-10-15)
  20. 元チェッカーズのドラマー、死去 — imidas（集英社）, August 2004 (accessed 2026-10-16)
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Revision history

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