Ambassador of Burkina Faso to Japan Visits the Min-On Culture Center

On April 12, 2021, H.E. Mr. Pascal Batjobo, Ambassador of Burkina Faso, visited the Min-On Culture Center. During his discussion with Min-On President Kazuto Ito, the Ambassador voiced his appreciation that Min-On's Music Journey to Burkina Faso featured the country’s...

Chiara D’Odorico Virtual Concert in the Celebration of the 210th Anniversary of the Independence of Paraguay

The Min-On Concert Association and the Embassy of the Republic of Paraguay in Japan will offer a virtual concert by Chiara D’Odorico in commemoration of the 210th anniversary of the Independence of Paraguay. Chiara D’Odorico is one of the most renowned Paraguayan...

Min-On Music Journey No. 33: The Federated States of Micronesia

Welcome to Min-On's Music Journey! Today, the Min-On Concert Association and the Embassy of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) in Japan welcome you to the FSM in the western Pacific Ocean. First, please listen to a message that Ambassador John Fritz has...

Ambassador of Argentina to Japan Visits Min-On Cultural Center

On March 25, 2021, H.E. Mr. Guillermo Juan Hunt, Ambassador-Designate of Argentina, visited the Min-On Culture Center. During his visit, the Ambassador expressed his appreciation Min-On for hosting performances of tango, a keystone of Argentine culture, for over 50...

Min-On Music Journey No. 32: The Republic of Peru

Welcome to Min-On’s Music Journey! Today, the Min-On Concert Association and the Embassy of Peru in Japan welcome you to the Republic of Peru in western South America, where one of the world's largest ancient civilizations once flourished. Peru faces the Pacific Ocean...

Chargée d’Affaires ad interim of Moldova to Japan Visits Min-On Cultural Center

On March 17, 2021, Ms. Anna Vatamaniuc, Chargée d'Affaires ad interim of Moldova, visited the Min-On Culture Center. Ms. Vatamaniuc voiced her gratitude for Min-On's Music Journey featuring Moldovan music and culture, and expressed her wish to further deepen the...

Min-On Music Journey No. 31: Burkina Faso

Welcome to Min-On's Music Journey! Today, the Min-On Concert Association and the Embassy of Burkina Faso in Japan welcome you to Burkina Faso, located in the southern Sahara Desert of West Africa. This landlocked country is bordered by six other countries (Mali, Cote...

Min-On Music Journey No. 30: The Republic of Finland

Welcome to Min-On’s Music Journey! Today, the Min-On Concert Association and the Embassy of Finland in Japan welcome you to the Republic of Finland in Northern Europe. ©Visit Saimaa/Silvennoinen About 30% of Finland lies inside the Arctic Circle. It also has over...

La Juan D’Arienzo Free Online Tango Concert

Since 1970, Min-On has hosted the Min-On Tango Series in Japan every year with the support of Min-On sustaining members. However, in 2021 the series has been canceled due to the ongoing global coronavirus situation. To show our gratitude to everyone who supports the...

Min-On Music Journey No. 29: South Korea

Welcome to Min-On’s Music Journey! Today, Min-On Concert Association and the Korean Cultural Center in Tokyo take you to Japan's neighboring country of South Korea, following the Korea Tourism Organization's "Feel the Rhythm of Korea" promotional video series. Feel...

Min-On Music Journey No. 28: The Kingdom of Sweden

Welcome to Min-On's Music Journey! Today, the Min-On Concert Association and the Embassy of Sweden in Japan welcome you to the Kingdom of Sweden in Northern Europe on the Scandinavian Peninsula. ©Lola Akinmade Åkerström/imagebank.sweden.se Sweden is a constitutional...

Min-On Music Journey No. 27: Austria

Welcome to Min-On’s Music Journey! Today, let the Min-On Concert Association and the Austrian Cultural Forum Tokyo guide you to Austria in south-central Europe. Austria’s capital, Vienna        ©Österreich Werbung, Photo by Julius Silver The Alps mountain range covers...

Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to Japan Visits Min-On Cultural Center

On February 17, 2021, H.E. Mr. Robert Takata, Ambassodor of the Dominican Republic visited the Min-On Culture Center and spoke with Min-On's president, Mr. Kazuto Ito. During their discussion, Ambassador Takata expressed that the Dominican people have a deep, intimate...

Ambassador of the Ukraine to Japan Visits Min-On Cultural Center

On February 10, 2021, H.E. Dr. Sergiy Korsunsky, Ambassador of the Ukraine visited the Min-On Culture Center and spoke with Min-On's President, Mr. Kazuto Ito. During their discussion, Ambassador shared that he wholeheartedly supports Min-On's mission to connect the...

Min-On Music Journey No. 26: The Dominican Republic

Welcome to Min-On’s Music Journey! Today, the Min-On Concert Association and the Embassy of the Dominican Republic in Japan welcome you to the diverse island nation of the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean. February 27 is the Dominican Republic's independence day....

Min-On Music Journey No. 25: The Republic of Kosovo

Welcome to Min-On's Music Journey! The Min-On Concert Association and the Embassy of the Republic of Kosovo in Japan welcome you to the multi-ethnic nation of Kosovo in the center of the Balkan Peninsula. Kosovo was founded in 2008, making it Europe's youngest...

Min-On Music Journey No. 24: The Republic of Lithuania

Welcome to Min-On's Music Journey. Today, the Min-On Concert Association and the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania to Japan welcome you to Lithuania on the eastern shores of the Baltic Sea. February 16 is the Day of Restoration of the State of Lithuania. In...

Min-On Music Journey No. 23: The Republic of Paraguay

Welcome back to Min-On's Music Journey! Today the Min-On Concert Association and the Embassy of the Republic of Paraguay in Japan guide you to Paraguay, a country in the center of South America. Paraguay is a landlocked country bordered by Argentina, Brazil and...

Min-On Music Journey No. 22: Georgia

Welcome to Min-On's Music Journey! Today the Min-On Concert Association and the Embassy of Georgia to Japan guide you today to the fascinating country of Georgia, found in the Caucasus region between the Black and Caspian Seas.Georgia was formerly known as the...

Min-On Music Journey No. 21: The Republic of Panama

Welcome to Min-On's Music Journey. Today, the Min-On Concert Association and the Embassy of Panama in Japan guide you to Panama, located at the southern tip of Central America between North and South America. European and African cultures have been interwoven with...

Min-On Music Journey No. 20: The Republic of South Africa

Welcome to the first installment of Min-On's Music Journey in the new year, 2021! Please join the Min-On Concert Association and the South African Embassy in Japan as we travel to the Republic of South Africa, often called the "Rainbow Nation." The Republic of South...

A Message from Min-On for the New Year, 2021

Happy New Year, everyone. While the onset of the coronavirus pandemic and the self-imposed lockdown that followed had forced the Min-On Concert Association into canceling live concerts, we were able to hold a number of musical events online, both paid and for free,...

Min-On Music Journey No. 19: The Russian Federation

Welcome as the Min-On Concert Association and the Embassy of the Russian Federation to Japan guide you to Russia, the largest country in the world, spanning the Eurasian continent from the Pacific Ocean in the east to the Baltic Sea in the west. In terms of land area,...

Min-On and China: Partners in Cultural Exchange

Since it was founded in 1963, the Min-On Concert Association has been dedicated to the promotion of international cultural exchange through the media of music and the performing arts. To date, artists from more than 100 countries have been welcomed onstage in Japan...

Min-On Music Journey No. 18: The Kingdom of Thailand

Welcome to the next installment of Min-On's Music Journey! Today, Min-On Concert Association and the Royal Thai Embassy in Japan welcome you to Thailand in Southeast Asia. Thailand has many fascinating locations that attract many tourists annually, including beautiful...

Min-On School Concert Held in Higashikagawa City, Kagawa

On Friday, November 27, 2020, the world-renowned taiko drum troupe Maidaiko Aska-Gumi held a Min-On School Concert at Okawa Middle School (Higashikagawa City, Kagawa Prefecture). This was the first Min-On school concert held in the Shikoku region since the coronavirus...

Min-On School Concerts Held in Tottori and Shimane

"Pro musicians came to our school!" To students’ delight, the band AUN & HIDE, whose play traditional Japanese instruments in concerts both in Japan and abroad, performed at Min-On School Concerts in Tottori and Shimane prefectures. Participating Schools: Tuesday,...

Min-On Music Journey No. 17: The Republic of Slovenia

Welcome to Min-On's Music Journey. Today, the Min-On Concert Association and the Embassy of Slovenia in Japan guide you to Slovenia, the only country with "love" in its name. Slovenia is located in central Europe and shares a border with Italy, Croatia, Austria and...

Min-On Music Journey No. 16: Ukraine

Welcome to the 16th installment of Min-On's Music Journey! Today the Min-On Concert Association and the Embassy of Ukraine in Japan welcome you to Ukraine, a country filled with beautiful fields of blooming sunflowers. Ukraine has planted many sunflower fields in...

Min-On Music Journey No. 15: The Republic of Nicaragua

Welcome to Min-On's Music Journey! Today the Min-On Concert Association and the Embassy of Nicaragua in Japan guide us to Nicaragua, a country of lakes and volcanoes in the middle of Central America and flanked by the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean on the east...

Min-On Music Journey No. 14: The Republic of Honduras  

Welcome to Min-On's Music Journey! Today Min-On Concert Association and the Embassy of Honduras in Japan welcome you to the Central American country of Honduras. Honduras is bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south and is blessed...

Min-On Music Journey No. 13: The Kingdom of Spain

Welcome to the 13th installment of Min-On's Music Journey! Today, Min-On and the Spanish Embassy in Japan guide you to the passionate country of Spain, which makes up 80% of the Iberian Peninsula in southern Europe. Santiago de Compostela With the many diverse...

Min-On Music Journey No. 12: The Republic of Kazakhstan

Welcome to the 12th installment of Min-On's Music Journey! Min-On Concert Association and the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Japan welcome you to the Republic of Kazakhstan, a country located in the central Eurasian plains. Kazakhstan stretches from the Ustyurt Plateau and...

Min-On Hosts Online Music Event with French School

In partnership with public secondary school Lycée Lakanal in Sceaux, France, the Min-On Concert Association held an online concert for French students on October 13. The event, conducted as part of Min-On’s Concert Dispatch Series, was originally scheduled to be held...

Min-On Music Journey No. 11: The State of Israel

Today, for the 11th installment of Min-On's Music Journey, Min-On Concert Association and the Embassy of Israel in Japan will guide you to Israel, a land of cultural exchange between the East and West. Israel is known as the Silicon Valley of the Middle East and is a...

Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Republic of Kosovo to Japan Visits Min-On Cultural Center

On October 21, 2020, Mr. Enis Xhemaili, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of the Republic of Kosovo visited the Min-On Culture Center and spoke with Min-On's President, Mr. Kazuto Ito. During their discussion, Ambassador Xhemaili congratulated Min-On on the recent 57th...

Min-On Music Journey No. 10: The Argentine Republic

Welcome to the 10th installment of Min-On's Music Journey—today, Min-On Concert Association and the Embassy of Argentina in Japan guide you to the "Land of Silver." The Argentine Republic abounds with majestic natural beauty and diverse culture. Caminito in the...

Min-On Music Journey No. 09: The United States of America

Welcome to the United States of America for the ninth stop on Min-On’s Music Journey! America’s greatest strengths are its patchwork heritage and diversity, and these are prevalent in the country’s friendly and welcoming people, its vast, eminent terrain and its...

Min-On Music Journey No. 08: The Republic of Cuba

Min-On and the Embassy of Cuba in Japan welcome you to the Republic of Cuba for the eighth stop on Min-On's Music Journey. Cuba is the largest island nation in the Caribbean Sea, rich in natural beauty. Also called the Pearl of the Caribbean, Cuba has a subtropical...

2021 19th Tokyo International Music Competition Event Details Announced, Competition Website Updated

The 19th Tokyo International Music Competition for Conducting, which aims to discover and cultivate young musicians, will be held again from September to October of 2021. At an online press conference on August 27, 2020, Min-On gave an overview of the event details...

Min-On Music Journey No. 07: Republic of Poland

Welcome to the seventh trip on Min-On's Music Journey—let us guide you to the Republic of Poland, located on the plains facing the Baltic Sea in Central Europe. Poland shares its borders with many countries and was once located along a major trade route known as the...

Min-On Music Journey No. 06: Republic of Estonia

Welcome to the sixth installment of Min-On's Music Journey, which takes us to the Republic of Estonia, one of the three Baltic states. Estonia is a country of forests and lakes in northern Europe, facing the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland. Historic medieval...

Min-On Music Journey No. 05: Portuguese Republic

Welcome again to Min-On's Music Journey! In this installment, let us guide you to the Portuguese Republic, located in Western Europe's Iberian Peninsula. Portugal was known throughout history as a naval pioneer that commanded the seven seas during the Age of...

Min-On Music Journey No. 04: Republic of Turkey

Welcome to the fourth edition of Min-On's Music Journey! In this installment, let us guide you to the Republic of Turkey, a crossroads of Eastern and Western civilization that shares a border with Asia, Europe and Africa. The Ottoman Empire, predecessor of the...

Min-On Music Journey No. 03: Romania

Welcome to the third stop on Min-On's Music Journey! Today, let us guide you to a country with charming medieval atmosphere: Romania, located in the southeast of Europe. Peleș Castle (Sinaia City, Transylvania region) Romania has a long history, and the deep medieval...

Min-On Music Journey No. 02: Republic of Moldova

Welcome to the second edition of Min-On's Music Journey! Today, let us guide you to the beautiful Republic of Moldova, located in southeastern Europe. Soroca Fortress (photo by Vadim Șterbate) First, please watch the videos below that were produced to celebrate...

Min-On Music Journey No. 01: The Republic of Armenia

Welcome to Min-On's Music Journey! For our first trip, welcome to the Republic of Armenia. This country of nearly three million people is bordered by Europe, the Caspian Sea and the Caucasus Mountains. The capital city of Yerevan is filled with the beauty of nature...

Min-On Music Journey Initiative Since August 2020

To date, Min-On has invited artists and groups from 110 countries to perform in Japan, and hundreds of Japanese artists have also performed in concerts abroad. These endeavors promote international cultural exchange to unite people’s shared emotions and create an...

Music is Hope—Min-On Concert: The Norwegian Girls Choir

Music reaches the hearts of people. It allows us see things that were invisible to us, and it can also open doors that were locked shut. With every concert, Min-On encounters not just the joy of sharing art from all over the world but also the thankful voices of...

Min-On Launches ‘ONE WORLD’ Initiative—Launching June 10, 2020

In a world ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic, artists, organizers and agencies everywhere have had to cancel or postpone musical performances and related cultural events, with the Min-On Concert Association being no exception. Out of our hope to brighten these stark...

The Min-On Tango Series Presents Quinteto Grande

Tango is a renowned art form, and Min-On is fortunate to have collaborated with professionals in the genre for 51 years since this cultural exchange began in 1970. Since then, Min-On has hosted over 2,500 tango live events in Japan! Aside from being a provocative art...

An Evening with Young Korean and Japanese Traditional Musicians

On February 19, 2020, a traditional music event featuring both Korean and Japanese artists was held at the Hanmadang Hall of the Korean Cultural Center in Tokyo. The evening featured the dynamic sounds of the Korean geomungo and gayageum, traditional instruments that...

Min-On Concert Association Cancels all Performances for March, Closes Music Museum and Library

Due to ongoing concerns regarding the recent novel coronavirus outbreak in Japan, the Min-On Concert Association has cancelled all performances of both foreign and domestic artists planned for the month of March. In addition, the Min-On Music Museum and Music Library...

30th Kansai International Student Music Festival and the 6th Kanagawa International Music Festival

On December 7 at the 6th Kanagawa International Student Music Festival at Yokohama Kannai Hall, 30 performers from seven countries showed off a variety of musical and dance talents. This included harmonies between the erhu and the biwa, vocal percussion and...

The Yoko Komatsubara Spanish Dance Company Dispatched to Taiwan

Min-On’s dispatch tours to Taiwan began in 1989, and in 2019 on the occasion of their 30th anniversary, the Yoko Komatsubara Spanish Dance Troupe was sent to Taiwan. Beginning on November 23 at the Northern Miaoli Art Center and ending on December 5 at the National...

Lecture Concerts by Singakademie Graz Celebrating 150 Years of Friendly Relations Between Austria and Japan

On January 13, a matinee and evening show were performed by Singakademie Graz for Min-On Lecture Concerts celebrating 150 years of friendly relations between Austria and Japan. The shows were jointly hosted by the Austrian Embassy Tokyo and the Japan Agency for...

Min-On School Concerts by AUN & HIDE Held in Toda City, Saitama, and Katori City, Chiba

In 2019, on November 15 at Sasame Higashi Elementary and on December 12 at Katori City Yamada Elementary, AUN & HIDE performed Min-On School Concerts. Japanese instrumentalist twins Ryohei and Kohei Inoue of AUN together with musician HIDE are the three members that...

Seven-member Brazilian Group Ordinarius Tours Japan

On November 11, 2019 at 10:45 a.m., the seven-member Brazilian group Ordinarius arrived safely at Haneda Airport. After winning Brazil’s National Vocal Group Competition, Ordinarius started including instruments alongside their acapella numbers, and the mixed...

Acapella group Rajaton, from the Republic of Finland, Holds Japan Tour and Visits the Min-On Culture Center

On November 7, 2019, acapella group Rajaton came to tour Japan for the 100-year anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Republic of Finland and visited the Min-On Culture Center. Baritone Mr. Ahti Paunu agreed strongly with the peace activities...

The 6th Min-On Global Music Network in Thailand, October 2019

From October 12 to 20, 2019, the 6th Min-On Global Music Network was jointly held by Min-On, Thailand’s Ministry of Culture and the Embassy of Japan in Thailand to celebrate 10 years Mekong-Japan friendly relations. Taiko drum group Kodo was dispatched to Thailand...

Korea-Japan Ensemble Concerts Held in Seoul and Tokyo

On December 3, 2019 at the New Century Hall of the Information and Culture Center at the Embassy of Japan in Seoul, and on December 4 at Gangnam City Hall (with the support of the Information and Culture Center), an event was held to promote friendly relations between...

Riveting Performance by Polish National Song and Dance Troupe Śląsk

The 54-person Polish troupe Śląsk landed in Haneda Airport on October 16 for the commencement of celebrations of 100 years of diplomatic exchange between Japan and Poland. They began their performances on October 19 at Takasaki City Theatre. Their concerts included...

The Gothard Sisters and Mongolian Ikh Tatlaga perform in Min-On School Concerts in Wakayama, Aichi and Gifu

On October 28, American trio The Gothard Sisters visited Shiritsu Kishiminami Elementary, Wakayama, during their Japan tour to perform. Approximately 400 people attended, including children, school staff and guardians. The trio performed on violin and guitar, and the...

The 80th and 81st Tohoku Hope Concerts at Wataricho Arahama Junior High School in Miyagi and Tomiokacho Tomioka Elementary and Junior High School in Fukushima

On October 21, Yohei Ito, who is active in Miyagi Prefecture and other areas, performed in a concert at Wataricho Arahama Junior High School, Miyagi. Yohei played Tsubasa (Wings), a song of his that was used in a car commercial. The attending students were excited by...

School Concerts Held in Hokkaido in August and Shiga in October 2019

International flautist Yoko Owada and pianist Kazuoki Fujii performed four concerts in the Iburi Subprefecture of Hokkaido during August 2019. The entire audience enjoyed the classic songs being performed, and children and students danced along to music during the...

Tohoku Hope Concerts Held in Kesennuma, Miyagi, Namie, Fukushima and Yamada, Iwate

In the month of September, three Tohoku Hope Concerts were held—the first on September 2 at Oshima Elementary in Kesennuma, Miyagi, the second on September 17 at Namie Sosei Elementary in Namie, Fukushima and the third on September 30 at Osawa Elementary in Yamada,...

Lecture Concert Musical Rakugo Held on August 30

On August 30, 2019, the French rakugo performer affiliated with the French Institute of Japan at the French Embassy in Japan, Cyril Coppini, and pianist Seiji Honda performed Musical Rakugo in commemoration of the Reims-Nagoya sister city partnership. Approximately...

Lecture Held in Celebration of the Anniversary of the Republic of Nicaragua National Day

On September 17 at 6:30 p.m., a lecture concert celebrating the anniversary of the Republic of Nicaragua was held by Min-On and the Embassy of the Republic of Nicaragua in Japan at the Min-On Culture Center Museum Hall. Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries and embassy...

Bolivian Guitarist Piraí Vaca Shows the Power of Emotion in Music

Music could be called an unfiltered expression of the soul. For renowned Bolivian guitarist Piraí Vaca, music is pure emotion, most certain. His guitar has a range of expression that defies common conception, and his skilled guitar artistry—highlighted by virtuosic...

SISAY and SAISHOKU-KENBI Perform to Celebrate Ecuador-Japan Relations in Style

Ecuador is a vibrant South American country with a rich history of musical and cultural traditions. Japan and Ecuador have a long-established benevolent relationship, and on September 19, 2019, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between...

Seventy-sixth Tohoku Hope Concert Held at Takata-higashi Middle School

On July 9, the 76th Tohoku Hope Concert was held at Takata-higashi Middle School in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture. Takata-higashi Middle School campus stands on a hill overlooking the “Miracle Pine” tree and Hirota Bay. It was built just three years ago and features...

Francisco José de Caldas District University Clarinet Ensemble Holds Lecture Concerts to Celebrate 200 Years of Colombian Independence

On August 7, a day and evening concert were held to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Republic of Colombia’s independence at the Min-On Culture Center’s B2 Museum Hall. About 150 members of the public, including parents and children, came to enjoy the day...

Concert Review by Shinichiro Tokunaga—Min-On Cultural Lectures, Paraguay: The Berta Rohas Concert

For guitar lovers, among the nations of Latin America, Paraguay is special. It is, after all, the birthplace of the famed composer Agustín Barrios Mangoré. A biographical film about Barrios, Mangoré, For the Love of Art, was shown in Japan the year before last. In...

Jeff Miyahara’s Cultural Lecture on the Power of Music Hosted June 5th

The Min-On Music Museum hosted a cultural lecture titled “The Power of Music” at the Min-On Culture Center Museum Hall on Wednesday, June 5 at 6:30 PM. This lecture was delivered by Jeff Miyahara, an active music producer. Mr. Miyahara works with world-class artists...

Debut Concerts Held for Winners of the 18th Tokyo International Music Competition for Conducting

The debut concerts for winners of last year’s Tokyo International Music Competition for Conducting were held on May 18 (Sat) at Aichi Prefectural Art Theater Concert Hall, and on May 22 (Wed) at Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall. Third-place winner Masaru Kumakura,...

School Concerts by Duo Viento Held in Fukuoka and Oita Prefectures from May 27 – 30

The duo Viento, which is based in Aso, Kumamoto, performs both domestically in Japan and overseas. From May 27 (Mon) to 30 (Thurs), they gave a series of school concerts in Fukuoka and Oita prefectures. May 27 (Mon): Fukuoka Prefecture Asakura City Mina Elementary...

Japan Marvelous Drummers Min-On School Concerts Held in Fukuoka, Saga and Kumamoto Prefectures

The Fukuoka-based, globally active traditional Japanese musical troupe, Japan Marvelous Drummers, performed concerts at five schools in Kyushu, Japan. May 13 (Mon): Minamiaso Muraritsu Minamiaso Middle School May 14 (Tues): Mifune Choritsu Nanataki Central Elementary...

30th Anniversary of Min-On Taiwan Dispatch Performances

From April 10 to the 24, the Maidaiko Asuka Gumi was dispatched to Taiwan, where it performed nine times in five cities, including Taipei, and also at one school concert. During the show, the breathtaking, overwhelming power of Japanese taiko drums and soul-stirring...

Total Visitors to the Min-On Music Museum’s Western Branch Reaches 100,000

The Min-On Music Museum’s western branch has received many visitors in the seven years since it opened in April 2012, and on Saturday, May 4, that number reached 100,000. The lucky visitors were Nishinomiya City residents Miss Masae Iwai (a high school senior) and her...

Patricia Vlieg’s Powerful Performance Celebrating the 500th Anniversary of Panama City

The Republic of Panama is a gateway connecting different worlds—the Panama Canal is a literal connection between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, and Panama has shined throughout history as a cultural crossroads linking Spanish culture with the New World. Due to this...

Ambassador of Palau to Japan Visits the Min-On Culture Center

On March 22, 2019, H.E. Mr. Francis MATSUTARO Ambassador of the Republic of Palau, visited the Min-On Culture Center. Ambassador MATSUTARO stated that in this year 2019, the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Palau and Japan, he...

Swedish Ambassador Visits Min-On Culture Center

On March 14, 2019, H.E. Mr. Magnus Robach, the ambassador for Sweden in Japan, visited the Min-On Culture Center. Ambassador Robach expressed how moved he by Min-On’s actions, which have played an important role in building world peace through music, and that he...

Peruvian Ambassador Visits Min-On Culture Center

On March 13, 2019, H.E. Mr. Harold Forsyth, ambassador for Peru in Japan, visited the Min-On Culture Center. Ambassador Forsyth stated that in 2019, the 120-year anniversary of Japanese migration beginning to Peru, he wishes to continue to strengthen the bonds of...

Ambassador of Estonia to Japan Visits the Min-On Culture Center

On March 20, 2019, H.E. Mr. Väino REINART Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia, and Madame Kaire Jürgenson, Spouse of the Ambassador visited the Min-On Culture Center. The Ambassador expressed his understanding of the Min-On’s action to build peace through music, and...

Finnish Ambassador H.E. Mr. Pekka Orpana Visits Min-On Culture Center

On March 6, 2019, Mr. Pekka Orpana, the ambassador for Finland in Japan, visited the Min-On Culture Center for a tour and conversation with Min-On president Kazuto Ito. Ambassador Orpana was elated regarding the Min-On concerts with Finnish a cappella group Rajaton,...

Encounters of Young, Korean-Japanese, Traditional Musicians Event Held at Korean Cultural Center

On February 15 at 19:00 PM, young musicians and singers playing traditional Korean and Japanese instruments performed at the second Korean-Japanese Exchange Program, Encounters of Young, Korean-Japanese, Traditional Musicians. The event was held in collaboration with...

Ambassador of Nicaragua in Japan Visits Min-On Culture Center

On February 6, 2019, the ambassador of the Republic of Nicaragua in Japan, H.E. Mr. Rodrigo Coronel Kinloch visited the Min-On Culture Center. During discussions with Min-On president Kazuto Ito, Ambassador Kinloch expressed his hopes, saying, “I love music. Music is...

Min-On School Concert Held at Nakajima Elementary in Matsuyama, Ehime

On February 4, a Min-On School Concert by Cousin was held at Nakajima Elementary in Matsuyama. The concert was supposed to be held last September but was cancelled due to a typhoon. Thanks to the help of many different people, it was held with great success! Cousin...

Min-On School Concert Held at Oono Elementary School in Tokushima

On February 1, a concert by pop duo Cousin was held at Oono Elementary School in Tokushima prefecture. Cousin, who are actual cousins as well as band mates, performed original songs, a medley of global tunes and a piece they composed with children from Uganda. The...

Min-On School Concert Held at Urashima Elementary in Yokohama, Kanagawa

On January 16, a Min-On School Concert by pop duo Cousin was held at Urashima Elementary in Yokohama. During their hour-long performance, they performed both original songs and a medley of songs from around the world. The duo, who are ambassadors of friendship for...

Uno, Dos, Tres! Pancho Amat Brings Vibrant Cuban Musicianship to Japan

In Cuba, music is fused into the daily rhythm of life, and spontaneous outbreaks of song and dance are common in the streets. The small Caribbean island’s contribution to the world’s rich diversity of musical styles includes Son, Trova, Salsa, Rhumba, Bolero and...

Ghanaian Ambassador Visits Min-On Culture Center

On February 2, 2019, ambassador to the Republic of Ghana in Japan, H.E. Mr. Frank Okyere, visited the Min-On Culture Center. H.E. Mr. Okyere spoke on the friendly relations between Ghana and Japan, stating that moving forward, he would like to develop cultural...

Handcrafted Instruments Workshop and Concert for Children and Parents Held in Hokkaido

On January 5 in Sapporo and on January 6 in Takikawa, a Handcrafted Instruments Workshop and Concert for Children and Parents was held by Kunitaro Ikeda and Akiko Saito. Parents and children enjoyed making instruments and performing together, and parents also raved...

Move your Body, Move your Soul: Min-On Tango Series’ 50-year Milestone

Tango ­is a powerful art form—a drama of evocative compositions and passionate, sensual dance. In its native Argentina, tango is a way of life for many people. Alongside its vibrant artistic tradition, tango also represented the struggle of marginalized people to find...

75th Tohoku Hope Concert Held at Kesennuma Middle School in Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture

On December 7, the 75th Tohoku Hope Concert was held at Kesennuma Middle School in Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture. Kesennuma City is a fishing port overlooking the Pacific Ocean on the Sanriku Coast. Kesennuma’s residents are proud of their city’s fishing industry,...

Treasured Chinese Actors and Singers Visit Min-On Culture Center in Japan

On November 13, 2018, a group of China’s most treasured actors and singers visited Japan for the 40th anniversary of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China, and were welcomed by Executive Representative Ito to the Min-On Culture Center. Mr. Ito...

Vibrant Welcome Reception Held for La Jagua at the Min-On Culture Center

On November 8, a welcome reception for La Jagua was held as a joint collaboration by the Colombian Embassy in Japan and Min-On Concert Association. To begin, Mr. Kazuto Ito, President of Min-On Concert Association, gave a speech stating his appreciation to H. E. Mr....

Lithuanian Ambassador in Japan Visits Min-On Culture Center

On December 3, 2018, H.E. Mr. Gediminas Varvuolis, the ambassador for Lithuania in Japan, visited the Min-On Cultural Center. During his discussion with the Min-On President Mr. Kazuto Ito, Mr. Varvuolis spoke on the actions Min-On has taken to contribute to...

Director Seong Un Hwang of the Korean Cultural Center, part of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Japan, Visits the Min-On Culture Center

On November 5, 2018, Director Seong Un Hwang of the Korean Cultural Center, a part of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Japan, visited the Min-On Culture Center with embassy delegates. During his discussion with Min-On, Director Seong Un Hwang expressed thanks...

Ambassador of Greece to Japan Visits the Min-On Culture Center

On November 5, 2018, the Ambassador of Greece to Japan, H.E. Mr. Constantin Cakioussis, visited the Min-On Cultural Center. During his conversation with Kazuto Ito, Executive Representative of the Min-On Concert Association, he esteemed Min-On, which celebrated its...

Vibrant Cultural Night Celebrating the 120th Anniversary of the First Japanese Immigrants’ Arrival to Cuba

On October 31, the Embassy of Cuba in Japan and Min-On Concert Association held a concert commemorating 120 years of Japanese immigrants arriving to Cuba. To begin, H. E. Mr. Carlos Miguel Pereira Hernández gave a speech, saying, “It has been 120 years since Japanese...

KASSOU-TRI from Côte d’Ivoire Visit Min-On Culture Center

On October 22, 2018, KASSOU-TRI from the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire visited the Min-On Culture Center during its Japan tour. The group leader, Mr. Eponon N’gouan Alphonse, responded strongly to Min-on's peace-building activities, and spoke enthusiastically of the...

Results of The 18th Tokyo International Music Competition

Please see the results of the 18th Tokyo International Music Competition for Conducting in 2018 below. [1st Prize] Nodoka Okisawa (Japan) [2nd Prize] Kanade Yokoyama (Japan) [3rd Prize] Masaru Kumakura (Japan) [Honorable Mention] Earl Lee (Canada) [Special Award /...

Tolstoy and Music Exhibition Opening Ceremony

On October 19, 2018, an opening ceremony for the Tolstoy and Music Exhibition—a Min-On Music Museum and L.N. Tolstoy Estate Museum joint event—was held at the Min-On Culture Center. The exhibition itself runs from October 20, 2018 to February 3, 2019. H. E. Mr....

Georgian State Folk Music and Dance Ensemble, Rustavi, Visit Min-On Culture Center

On October 15, 2018, the Rustavi Ensemble from the Democratic Republic of Georgia visited the Min-On Culture Center during its Japan tour. The ensemble’s leader, Mr. Erkomaishvili Anzor, stated how happy the group was to perform in Japan, and the group gave a...

Colombian Group La Jagua Visit the Min-On Culture Center

On October 12, 2018, musical group La Jagua from Colombia visited the Min-On Culture Center during their Japan tour. During a discussion with Min-On, La Jagua leader and percussionist Mr. Fabian Molano spoke enthusiastically on their current tour, saying, “We perform...

Tohoku Hope Concert Held at Rifudaisan Elementary School in Rifu Town, Miyagi Prefecture

The 71st Tohoku Hope Concert was held at Rifudaisan Elementary School in Rifu Town, Miyagi, on the September 3. Youmi Kimura, the singer and composer of Always with Me—the main theme from the film “Spirited Away” that put her in the limelight—performed with Toshio...

School Concert Held at Inabe Municipal Kasama Elementary School, Mie Prefecture

A School Concert featuring the pop duo Cousin (who are actually cousins) was held at Kasama Elementary School in Inabe City, Mie, on September 10, 2018. A total of 320 people enjoyed the show including school children, their guardians and staff. The event was...

The Beijing Chinese Orchestra Celebrates a Storied History of Sino-Japanese Friendship

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Sino-Japanese Treaty of Peace and Friendship and the 55th anniversary of the Min-On Concert Association. With the support of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the Embassy of...

A Golden Bridge of Culture Connects the People and of China and Japan

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Sino-Japanese Treaty of Peace and Friendship and the 50th anniversary of a proposal calling for normalization of relations between China and Japan, delivered by Min-On founder Daisaku Ikeda—then president of Soka Gakkai—on...

All-China Youth Federation’s Courtesy Visit to the Min-On Culture Center

To promote goodwill between China and Japan, the Founder visited the People’s Republic of China ten times between 1974 and 1997. He also welcomed people from China to Japan and initiated cultural and educational exchange that continues today. The All-China Youth...

Oriental Republic of Uruguay Independence Day Commemoration Concert (Lecture Concert) Held at Min-On Music Museum

A concert celebrating the Oriental Republic of Uruguay’s Independence Day, co-sponsored by the Min-On Concert Association and the Uruguay Ambassador to Japan, His Excellency César Ferrer, was held at the Min-On Culture Center on September 4. Ambassador Ferrer opened...

Overseas Dispatch: 5th Min-On Global Music Network (Indonesia)

This event was held as a fifth major turning point for the Min-On Global Music Network, and in celebration of the 60th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Indonesia. Events were held twice in the capital of Jakarta and once in...

Min-On Music Museum Melody Hall: 50th Museum Concert with Trio Minpia

Profile: The name Trio Minpia means “Made in Nagoya Piano Trio,” with each member hailing from Nagoya. The trio includes Shoko Mizuno, who completed her postgraduate at Tokyo University of the Arts and also works as a pianist at the New National Theatre Tokyo;...

Tohoku Hope Concert at Kamaishi Shiritsu Toni Elementary and Junior High School in Iwate Prefecture

The 69th Tohoku Hope Concert was held at Iwate Prefecture’s Kamaishi Shiritsu Toni Elementary and Junior High School on the July 13, 2018. Toni-cho is an outlying city about seven kilometers from Kamishi Station on the Sanriku Railway Minami-Rias Line. Nestled along...

Ambassador of Italian Republic to Japan Visits the Min-On Culture Center

On May 29, 2018, H.E. Mr. Giorgio STARACE, Ambassador of Italy visited the Min-On Culture Center and spoke with Min-On’s president, Mr. Kazuto Ito. During the discussion, H.E. Mr. Giorgio STARACE mentioned that it was Min-On who had introduced Italian culture to Japan...

The Berlin Philharmonic’s Varian Fry Quartet Amazes in Japan

Berlin Philharmonic is a globally acclaimed orchestra based in Germany. While many highly talented young musicians from around the world seek to join the Berlin Philharmonic, only a select few are allowed to study at the Orchestra Academy and “Learn from the pros”—the...

Cultural Envoy from Japan Celebrates Long Friendship with India

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed that 2017—the 60th anniversary of the Indo-Japan Cultural Agreement—be designated as a year of Japan-India friendly exchange. In response to the proposal, Min-On dispatched a special troupe of Japanese traditional...

Foreign Student Music Festival Expands International Friendships

Kanagawa Foreign Student Music Festival, co-sponsored by the Yokohama Arts Foundation, was held at Shintoshi Hall in the harbor city of Yokohama on December 2, 2017, marking the 4th festival held in Kanagawa prefecture. However, since the inaugural festival in 1989,...

The Musical Innovation of Earth Rhythm Stomps to a Global Beat

Earth Rhythm is a collaborative concert project initiated and produced by Shuichi Hidano, a world-renowned Japanese taiko drummer. Hidano has traveled around the world to introduce the powerful rhythms of traditional taiko drums and has performed over 2,700 times in...

Terem-Quartet Delivers Sophisticated and Lively Russian Sound

Russian ensemble Terem-Quartet is one-of-a-kind, impossible to categorize into a single musical genre. Russian folk music, classics, jazz, tango, rock, pop and musical traditions from around the world all play a part in their arrangements. The group showcases a...

Portuguese Fado Resonates Deeply with Audiences across Japan

Fado, meaning “fate” or “destiny” in Portuguese, is one of the most popular forms of Portuguese music. A vocal art form, it is considered the soul music of Portugal, and commonly associated with pubs, clubs and restaurants. In typical fado music, the singer conveys...

Tottori Prefecture Students Enjoy Superb Instrumental Performance

The Min-On School Concert Program has a long history of cultivating schoolchildren’s emotional development through music appreciation in Japan and other countries for over 40 years. Since its inaugural concert held at the Shibetsu Middle School in a remote area of the...

Min-On Global Music Network Deepens International Friendships

“Political and economic relations are ruled by calculations of power or gain, making them unstable and ephemeral, whereas exchange in the realm of culture is more enduring. Respect for other cultures leads to respect for the people of those cultures. The friendship...

Colombian Periferia Dance Company Speaks the Language of Dance

As a part of Min-On’s musical outreach programs open to the general public that contribute to the flourishing of music and art, the Min-On Music Museum occasionally hosts a series of music-related cultural lectures alongside admission-free concerts. A variety of...

Nicaraguan Diva Katia Cardenal Moves Japanese Audiences’ Hearts

Katia Cardenal is Nicaragua’s most popular singer-songwriter and an important figure in the new generation of Latin American folk music. Born in Managua, Nicaragua in 1963, Katia became a fan of popular music at an early age and began singing with a local chorus...

A Capella Weaves Colorful Voices into Harmony

A cappella is not a specific genre of music, but a style of vocal music performance—group or solo singing without instrumental accompaniment. Singing is probably the first form of music that humankind created and experienced; the voice is a musical instrument that all...

Sixty-First Tohoku Hope Concert Held in Fukushima

In spring 2012, a year after the Great East Japan Earthquake hit the Tohoku region, the Min-On Concert Association launched a series of concerts entitled The Tohoku Hope Concert in collaboration with TBS Radio and other radio broadcasting stations in the three most...

Joyful Storybook Musical Gifted to Preschool Children

As an outreach program for younger generations, Min-On produced a series of unique educational programs for preschool children, including a concert program entitled  A Storybook Musical for Children and Parents. Created by Japanese singer songwriter Mayumi-nu, the...

Schoolchildren in Kyushu Enjoy Bolivian Folclore Performance

Min-On’s endeavors contribute to the flourishing of music and art through musical programs that cultivate artistic sentiments in children and young people. Since launching in 1973, the Min-On School Concert Program has provided admission-free concerts at primary and...

Canzone Napoletana Gifts the Italian Musical Tradition to Japan

Most Japanese people are probably familiar with the melodies of the Italian songs O Sole Mio, Torna a Surriento and Funiculì Funiculà. Hearing these songs immediately reminds us of the dynamic country of Italy. Indeed, they are all very popular Neapolitan songs from...

City of London Sinfonia and Charlotte de Rothschild Inspire All

Since its inaugural concert in 1963, the Min-On Concert Association has hosted a great number of classical music performances, featuring many well-known orchestras, eminent conductors, distinguished soloists and choirs invited from within Japan and all over the globe....

Overseas Dispatches of Japanese Artists to Singapore and China

Min-On Concert Association has played a major role in introducing Japanese culture and performing arts to other countries for the last half century. Since 1966, Min-On has promoted a program of overseas dispatches of Japanese artists, mirroring its program of inviting...

Min-On Presents a Superb Evening with Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

With the aim of fostering the Japanese classical music scene, Min-On has hosted a great number of classical music performances, dating back to its inaugural concert at the Bunkyo Civic Auditorium in Tokyo on October 18, 1963. Since then, Min-On has hosted over 300...

Gomalan Brass Quintet from Italy Delivers Musicianship and Humor

Music includes myriad types of ensembles, from classical orchestras, string and wind ensembles, to jazz and rock bands, as well as choirs, consisting solely of vocalists. Among these ensembles, the brass quintet has established popularity since appearing in the later...

Swedish Diva Margareta Bengtson’s Enchanting Soprano Artistry

Sweden has a prominent choral tradition and is home to many singers. In fact, some statistics show that out of a total population of 9.5 million, an estimated 600,000 belong to some sort of choral group. They feature a wide variety of folk songs from the Scandinavian...

The Min-On Global Session Forges Harmony Between Ethnicities

This year, the Min-On Concert Association initiated an innovative concert series entitled The Min-On Global Session to showcase music and instruments representing a diverse array of ethnic traditions and musical cultures from around the globe. The first installment in...

Min-On’s Public Outreach Activities Continue to Inspire Youth and Adults Alike

Min-On Concert Association was founded as a nonprofit organization in 1963, and two years later, it was legally recognized as a general incorporated foundation. It contributes to many public service undertakings through outreach programs, which aim to foster the...

The First Min-On Conductor’s Seminar in Korea Cultivates Talent and Friendship

  As an organization that brings hope to society through music, Min-On has been a mainstay in the three areas of international cultural exchange, concert promotion and public outreach. Of these three strands of Min-On’s activities—despite significant diversification...

Three Young Conductors Make Successful Debuts from the Podium in Japan

    In October of last year, the 17th Tokyo International Music Competition for Conducting was held at the majestic Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall. Sixteen contestants from seven different countries were selected from the 239 applicants from 40 countries and regions....

MOMRI Successfully Hosts First Annual Report Conference in Tokyo

The Min-On Music Research Institute (MOMRI) announced their initiative at the official launch event last February in Tokyo. Since then, MOMRI’s four distinguished research fellows have attended various international conferences and succeeded in their research in the...

Min-On Music Museum’s Cultural Lectures, Workshops and Free Concerts

The Min-On Music Museum is one of only a handful of music museums in the world. Located in Shinanomchi, Tokyo, this valuable repository of musical artifacts houses over 300,000 items, including antique pianos, music boxes and various ethnic instruments displayed in a...

INSPi and Jamaica Café Collaborate for Joint A Cappella Performance

A Cappella is the musical term that describes a genre of music, specifically solo or group singing without any musical accompaniment. An a cappella singer once told us in an interview, “What fascinates me about a cappella is that it’s music made by nothing more than...

Sväng a Study in Simplicity, Compactness and Virtuosity

The concert began with a quiet entrance of four gentlemen dressed in three-piece suits without neckties, carrying briefcases in hand. After lining up at center stage, each of them unclasped their briefcases simultaneously, and brought out small, box-like instruments,...

Foreign Student Music Festival Expands the Circle of Global Friendship

Min-On Founder Daisaku Ikeda once remarked that international exchange students are the future leaders of their countries. Placing value on exchange students is equal to treasuring the future of that country, and forming bonds with international exchange students...

The Perunika Trio and Yantra Showcase Their Dynamic Vocal Arts

A cappella—choral music sung without instrumental accom-paniment—is perhaps the most archetypal art form of the human voice, which is the most basic yet highly sophisticated musical instrument we possess. A cappella performance expresses a deep range of emotion, from...

Sexteto Meridional Orchestra Leads the New Tango Renaissance

Since the Min-On Tango Series was launched in 1970, Min-On has invited renowned tango artists from Argentina every year for a Japan tour. The impressive lineup has included many modern tango virtuosos and award-winning dance couples. After 45 years of the...

Exhibition of Auto-Player Instruments Opens at the Min-On Music Museum

The Min-On Music Museum, located inside the Min-On Culture Center in Shinanomachi, Tokyo, is just one of a handful of museums specializing in music from around the world. Aside from a large collection of musical scores, musical reference materials and recordings...

Tokyo International Music Competition Discovers Protegé Conductors

The Min-On Concert Association, in cooperation with the Association of Japanese Symphony Orchestras, held The 17th Tokyo International Music Competition for Conducting at the majestic Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall this October. Since it was first held in 1967, the...

The Vibrant Sounds of Mariachi: Viva! Mexico 2015

Mariachi, internationally known as Mexican folk music, is one of the most popular genres of international music in Japan. Mariachi originally began as regional, rural folk music from central Mexico. In the 20th century, along with farm workers moving to the city,...

Music without Boundaries — Romani Music Travels to Japan

Music is always seasoned by the ethnic and national characteristics of different peoples, and great performing arts are a treasure that encompasses the spirit of all humanity. Romani music does not belong to any particular country with national boundaries, but it is...

Singing to Expand Heart-to-Heart Connections for a Peaceful World

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II as well as the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Various memorial events have been held all over the world under the common theme of “No More War.” As a part of its long-standing cultural lecture...

Min-On Museum Chronicles a 70-Year Musical Journey

Commemorating the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II this year, the Min-On Music Museum opened a special exhibition entitled “Music Journey—the 70-Year Musical History of Post-World War II Era Japan” on September 8. Under the supervision of longstanding...

“Anata Bolivia” Shares the Nostalgic Sounds of Andean Folklore in Japan

La Paz, the administrative capital of Bolivia, is one of the highest capital cities in the world at 3,650 meters above sea level. Beautiful snow-capped mountains form the background for modern skyscrapers and ancient historic structures in La Paz, the political and...

Ecuadorian Pianist Boris Cepeda Delivers Cultural Lecture & Concert

One of the fundamental aims of the Min-On Concert Association is to contribute to the flourishing of music and art by promoting musical outreach programs open to the general public. As a part of these public service projects, the Min-On Music Museum occasionally hosts...

The Tohoku Hope Concerts Empower through the Power of Music

Endeavoring to cultivate music appreciation in Japan and worldwide, Min-On has offered a wide range of non-profit public service programs since its foundation in 1963. The Min-On School Concert Program was inaugurated in 1973 at the founder’s proposal to contribute to...

Min-On Museum Visitors Enjoy Legends of Tango

Exhibits displaying the colorful atmosphere of Buenos Aires Beginning January 1, 2015, the Min-On Music Museum at the Min-On Culture Center in Shinanomachi, Tokyo, has been hosting a special exhibition entitled Vibrant Rhythm and Lively Melody—Argentine Tango. Tango...

Sururu na Roda Celebrates Friendship in the Rhythm of Samba

Brazil is recognized throughout the world as a superpower of music—one that has originated a wealth of popular musical genres and rhythmical dance styles. Among them, samba is perhaps the most popular cultural expression of Brazil, an internationally famous symbol of...

Lucky Audience Delighted by Peaceful Sounds of World Music

Since it was officially registered in Japan as an authenticated music museum in 2003, the Min-On Music Museum has periodically held a series of cultural lectures, workshops and mini-concerts as part of its admission-free public service activities with the aim of...

Exodus Steel Orchestra Brings the Caribbean to Japan

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Trinidad Tobago, one of the jewels of the Caribbean. It has also been designated as the Japan-CARICOM (Caribbean Community and Common Market) Friendship Year 2014....

Maestro Yanagisawa Delivers Lecture on The Power of Music

The Min-On Music Museum initiated a new series of cultural lectures entitled The Power of Music, in commemoration of Min-On’s 50th anniversary last year. The fourth installment was held on Saturday, August 23 at the Min-On Culture Center’s museum hall in Tokyo. For...

Quattrocelli Combines Sweet Cello Sounds With Lively Stage Antics

Cello music offers a wide variety of tone color and acoustic expression. The instrument’s range can deliver powerful bass, dramatic tenor, and even some lyrical soprano. The cello is often described as the instrument that sounds closest to the human voice. Its...

Coloratura Soprano of Victoria Loukianetz Resounds in Six Cities

The Wiener Staatsoper (Vienna State Opera) in Austria is counted as one of the world’s most prestigious opera houses. In 1993, Victoria Loukianetz made her international debut there as Queen of the Night in Mozart’s The Magic Flute. As a permanent member of the State...

Dixieland Jazz Festival Stirs Audiences Across Japan

Shannon Powell and the band onstage "Let’s fly down or drive down to New Orleans / That city has pretty historic scenes / And I’ll take you, and parade you down Bourbon Street." A concert of the Shannon Powell Traditional All-Star Jazz Band began with the cheerful...

New Wave of Traditional Korean Music Introduced to Japanese Audiences

Min Young-Chi is one of Korea’s most vibrant young traditional musicians. As a master percussionist playing the janggu (Korean hourglass drum) and a skillful player of the daegum (Korean bamboo flute), he has performed in Korea and Japan as well as at venues...

Tohoku Hope Concert Held in Tokyo

March 11, 2014 marked the third anniversary of the great earthquake and subsequent tsunami which devastated the northeastern coastal areas of the Tohoku region. While still enduring severe conditions, thousands of people in the affected region have worked together to...

The Fifth Minyo Festival Inspires Hometown Nostalgia

Japanese people who were born and raised in outlying areas of Japan outside of the major metropolitan areas typically have a particular song that is familiar to everyone from that area, and on hearing it usually gives rise to nostalgic feelings for their hometown....

Min-On Salon Concert Held at Melody Hall

A salon is a comfortable, intimate space perfect for small concerts and talks, or for the reception of important guests. Indeed, concerts of exquisite chamber music were often held in salons, and hence the genre of European salon music was born. The Min-On Culture...

Koto Sounds the Celebration of a New Year

The koto is considered a national musical instrument of Japan. It has 13 strings that are strung over 13 movable bridges along the width of the wooden body, which is some six feet long. Its origins can be traced back to the Chinese zheng, which was first introduced to...

Audience Invited to the Cinematic Piano Paradise of Jacob Koller

Jacob Koller performing on stage Listening to the soundtrack album of a memorable movie enables those who saw the movie to recall and implicitly re-experience scenes from the film. As Time Goes By from the romantic scene in the movie Casablanca released in 1942, and...

Serene Sounds of the Guzheng Offers Tranquil Afternoon

Jiang Xiaoqing "Even in the deepest quiet of a snowy day, there was a resonance within the stillness. I was staring at the falling snow from a window and spontaneously composed this piece for my guzheng." With these words, Jiang Xiaoqing, an internationally acclaimed...

Divas of Asia Create Powerful Onstage Presence

Cheuni (left) and Ouyand Feifei (right) The legendary diva of Asia, Ouyand Feifei, began her career in Taipei in 1967; she came to Japan in 1971 and in the same year scored a number one hit with her debut single entitled Ame no Midousuji (Rainy Avenue of Midosuji),...

The Real Group Delights Audience with Vocal Artistry

A cappella—a colorful array of wonderful voices in harmony A cappella is the Italian term historically referred to music performed "in the style of the chapel"—vocal music without instrumental accompaniment—typically performed as part of religious services. But today,...

New Program of Overseas Dispatches: The First to China

Traditional Japanese dance arranged in modern style Based on the Founder's belief that a genuine bridge of culture connecting people to people cannot be broken, the Min-On Concert Association has invited more than 40 cultural groups and artists from neighboring China...

Memorial Tribute to Legendary Singer Hibari Misora

The late Hibari Misora's performance projected on to a screen Hibari Misora, which means "lark in a beautiful sky," is the name of Japan's most famous multifaceted singer, actress and cultural icon of the post WWII era in Japan, offering people hope and encouragement...

Vieira Premieres ‘A Musical Celebration’ and ‘Song of Solidarity’

Vieira plays at the Tokyo Metropolitan Theater Grand Concert Hall "Music speaks directly to the heart. This response, this echo within the heart, is proof that human hearts can transcend the barriers of time and space and nationality. Exchanges in the field of culture...

Amaral Vieira’s Musical Tribute to the 50th Anniversary

Presenting the scores at the Min-On headquarters Amaral Vieira is an internationally acclaimed Brazilian composer and virtuoso pianist. He has also been a dedicated scholar at the Brazilian Society of Musicology for many years. From an early age, Vieira began...

César López Dedicates Two Original Compositions

César López presents a framed score of Los Amigos On September 13, the day after their arrival in Japan, maestro César López together with all the members of his special Habana Ensemble visited the Min-On Culture Center in Tokyo before embarking on their...

K-Broadway Presents World-Class Dance Performances in Japan

Broadway-style performance in Tokyo Min-On sponsored a special dance production entitled K-Broadway—Dance for Smiles featuring the top dancers and alumni of the Broadway Dance Center, as well as special guest artist Hideboh, an internationally acclaimed tap-dancer....

Pipe Organ Recital Echoes in the Majestic Ark Hall

Box-shaped structure of the Muse Ark Hall creates rich acoustics for the pipe organ On the evening of February 14 at the Tokorozawa Muse Ark Hall in Saitama Prefecture, Japanese organist Minako Tsukatani gave a unique pipe organ recital in collaboration with acclaimed...

Colombian Teens Bring the Unique Spirit of Chirimía to Japan

Members of the Chirimía band perform at Min-On Culture Center On May 28 in Tokyo, teenage members of the music group Chirimía, accompanied by Embassy officials of the Republic of Colombia, paid a courtesy visit to the Min-On Culture Center. Chirimía groups come...

Min-On Founder Awarded Honorary Directorship

Members of the Troupe present the award at Min-On’s Melody Hall On April 1, in the middle of the Japan tour, Mr. Ma Xiaoming, director of the Cultural Exchange Department of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, accompanied by one of...

Exhibition of Shoka Music Takes Museum Visitors Back to School

Shoka exhibition at the Min-On Music Museum in Tokyo From January 1 through April 14 this year, the Min-On Music Museum in the Min-On Culture Center in Tokyo is hosting a special exhibition entitled Recalling Nostalgic Melodies of Japanese Shoka Songs. ‘Shoka’ refers...

Japan–Argentina Friendship Celebrated with Dramatic Tango

Argentina’s top-class dancing pairs performed with the Orchesta Nicolás Ledesma This year marks the 50th anniversary of Min- On’s founding as well as 115 years of amicable relations between Argentina and Japan. During the past 50 years of Min-On’s history of cultural...

The Betawi Cultural Institute Presents Unique Performing Arts

A member of institute plays an Indonesian Angklung on display in the Music Museum On the morning of October 23, a delegation of the Betawi Cultural Institute (LKB) from Indonesia, headed by its chairman, H. Tatang Hidayat, paid a courtesy visit to the Min-On Culture...

Russian Group and Japanese Youths Battle It Out

Members of ‘The Battle’ from Russia and Japan On the autumn evening of October 12 in Tokyo, The Battle 2012—an international street dance competition—broke out between a group of Russian dancers known as Predatorz Crew and a Japanese alliance of young dancing forces...

Western Japan Branch of Min-On Music Museum Opens in Kobe

Guests at the opening ceremony enjoy the classical sounds of an antique fortepiano Aiming to extend and improve its activities, the Min-On Concert Association newly dedicated a western Japan branch of the Min-On Music Museum in the international city of Kobe in Hyogo...

The Little Singers Present the Rich Culture of Armenia Across Japan

The Little Singers of Armenia On the Friday evening of August 10, The Little Singers of Armenia choir, directed by its founder Tigran Hekekyan, successfully concluded their first Japan tour in front of a capacity audience at the magnificent Tokyo Opera City Concert...

Island Youth Delivers the Beauty and Joy of Okinawan Dance

Hanayakara The islands of Okinawa are surrounded by beautiful ocean and blessed with a superb natural environment. The islands were once a small independent nation called the Ryukyu Kingdom, where since ancient times a unique culture had developed with distinctive...

The Ventures Celebrate 50th Anniversary of First Japan Tour

Original member Don Wilson (second from right) and The Ventures during the 2012 Japan tour One of the most influential of rock and roll pioneers, the Ventures— the quintessential American guitar combo formed in the pre-Beatles era of 1958—served as a prototype for...

Min-On Initiates Series of School Concerts in the Tohoku Region

Members of the a cappella group INSPi performing at a school in Tohoku More than a year has passed since the great earthquake and subsequent tsunami hit the northeastern coastal areas of the Tohoku region in Japan. Since then, hundreds of thousands of people in the...

Shaanxi Song and Dance Troupe Presents Honorary Title to Min-On Founder

Mr. Hiromasa Ikeda (second from left) accepts the honorary title on behalf of his father, the Min-On founder On July 2, 2012, the Institute of the Shaanxi Provincial Song and Dance Theater from Xi’an, China, bestowed the title of Honorary President on Min-On founder...

Czech Philharmonic Brass Inspires Japanese Enthusiasts with Perfect Harmony

The Czech Phil Brass in concert The Czech Philharmonic Brass has been at the pinnacle of the Czech cultural tradition of brass performance for several decades. This virtuoso brass ensemble was formed in 1973 at the initiative of Miroslav Kejmar, principle trumpet with...

Folk Music Ensemble from the Kazakh National Academy of Arts Perform at the Min-On Culture Center

Kazakh folk music performance at the Min-On Music Museum On the afternoon of April 25, President Mukhamediuly Arystanbek and a delegation from the T. Zhurgenov Kazakh National Academy of Arts consisting of 15 music students and five faculty members, visited the Min-On...

‘Flower Songs in All Seasons’ Inspires with the Beautiful Fragrance of the Japanese Spirit

Charlotte Rothschild and Simon Over In response to requests from enthusiastic audiences during her last Japan tour, Min-On hosted a soprano recital entitled Flower Songs in All Seasons by the internationally renowned singer Charlotte de Rothschild to a full house at...

Yuzo Toyama Conducts Annual Year-End Concert of Beethoven’s No. 9

Yuzo Toyama  It may be a custom unique to Japan: Beethoven’s Symphony No.9 is played annually during the year-end season by many orchestras and choral groups all over Japan, a custom that originated with the NHK Symphony Orchestra sometime in the 1940s in Tokyo. The...

Superlative Entertainment from Mnozil Brass

Mnozil Brass  Mnozil Brass, an Austrian virtuoso brass ensemble septet, was brought back to Japan for an encore tour of 13 cities throughout Japan during the months of November and December in 2011. The seven members of this versatile group are all graduates of the...

Anata Bolivia Celebrates Festivity in Local Communities across Tokyo

Anata Bolivia in concert The Min-On Fureai concert series is particularly designed for developing a rapport among neighboring residents by holding concerts of international artists at medium-size theaters in local communities. During October and November, Min-On...

Mariachi Del Sol Tours across Kyushu for Viva Mexico

Mariachi del Sol in concert in Kyushu Mariachi is a genre of music that originated in Mexico, a country of legendary sunshine, particularly in the Western state of Jalisco. The word Mariachi refers to a musician who dresses in a particular traje style, which includes...

Asuka Gumi Celebrates 20th Anniversary with a Vigorous Drum Roll

Taiko drummer from Asuka Gumi  Maidaiko Asuka Gumi, one of the most acclaimed professional Japanese traditional taiko drum troupes, triumphed in its 20th anniversary concert at Nakano Sun Plaza Hall in Tokyo on December 9, 2011, following a yearlong nationwide...

Gyeonggi Provincial Dance Company Expresses Traditions of Korea

The Gyeonggi Provincial Dance Company Korea is Japan’s closest neighbor, and at various times throughout history the Korean Peninsula has influenced various aspects of Japanese culture, acting as a kind of cultural bridge between Japan and China. On October 31, a...

Exhibition of Folk Instruments Held for Children at Min-On Music Museum

Visitors can play some of the instruments on display From July 10 through September 4 this year, the Min-On Music Museum hosts an exhibition showcasing a variety of folk instruments donated from various performing artists and collected from many different countries...

Russian Folk Ensembles Perform in Taiwan

Dancers and musicians from the Russian folk ensembles In order to realize its aim of effecting significant cultural exchange on a global scale, the Min-On Concert Association has introduced a wide range of international music culture to Japan, while also sending...

Armenian Little Singers

The Little Singers of Armenia choir The Little Singers of Armenia choir was founded in 1992, under the initiative of Mr. Tigran Hekekyan. “During the dark and cold years of the early ’90s,” Mr. Hekekyan remembered, “it was important to establish a children’s choir to...

Ambassador Barnes of Jamaica Visits Min-On Culture Center

Ambassador Barnes listens to one of the antique pianos from the Music Museum collection On the afternoon of May 25, the Jamaican Ambassador, Ms. Claudia C. Barnes, accompanied by her secretary Ms. Sawako Toyama, visited the Min-On Culture Center for the first time....

Acting Head of Mission at Armenian Embassy Visits Min-On

Dr. Pogosyan and his wife meet with Min-On officials Representing the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Japan, Dr. and Mrs. Grant R. Pogosyan, advisor and acting head of mission, accompanied by Dr. Arsen Arakelyan, the interim Charge d’affaires, visited the Min-On...

INSPi Performs for School Concerts in Okinawa

INSPi perform at the Min-On School Concert in Okinawa The Italian term a cappella literally means ‘in chapel style’, and is used to describe music of specifically solo or group singing without instruments. Although originally used in reference to religious music, a...

Min-On Hosts a Lively School Concert of the Vienna Operetta Orchestra

The Vienna Operetta Orchestra performs at the Min-On school concert Since its foundation, Min-On has offered a diverse range of nonprofit public-service programs designed to cultivate music appreciation in Japan and around the world. Especially in contributing to the...

Special Exhibition for the Bicentennial of Franz Liszt’s Birth Opens at the Min-On Music Museum

Original musical manuscripts and personal correspondences form part of the exhibition The year 2011 marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of the marvelous virtuoso pianist, Franz Liszt, who is also known as one of the most brilliant composers of the Romantic...