The 14th annual charity concert by members of the Japanese Taiko Federation was recently held at the Sogetsu Hall in Tokyo to support projects for Filipinos living in Japan.

Taiko concerts have been held since 1998 to raise funds and contributions to support a wide range of activities, such as leprosy elimination, AIDS prevention, and Kobe earthquake reconstruction.

This time the charitable organization “Musashino Net” appealed for assistance to care for the needs of Filipinos in Japan who cannot speak Japanese or who need help to adapt to Japanese culture.

The 14th concert included showcase performances by 6 young people’s groups chosen from taiko competitions throughout Japan.

A powerful performance of Japanese drum music earned a big round of applause

In 1992 “Musashino Net” was originally established to give charitable assistance to the victims of the Pinatubo volcano eruption in the Philippines. This year, the purpose of the 14th concert was again to raise funds to help Filipinos, but for projects closer to home in Japan.

For example, there are Filipinos married to Japanese nationals living in the Mitaka and Musashino area of Tokyo who cannot speak Japanese, so assistance will be given to them to attend Japanese language classes.

Also, the children of these families need help in adjusting to the Japanese school environment, so they will receive aid to attend night classes to improve their academic performance, and Japanese language skills.

One of the passionate youth taiko groups chosen to perform at the charity concert.

A spokeswoman for “Musashino Net” said it was often difficult for foreign spouses to adjust to Japanese language and culture, and they are often bewildered by the education system in which their children find themselves. The proceeds from the 14th concert will be used to help these individuals and families create a better, well adjusted life style in Japan.

Young taiko drummers welcome guests to the concert

About 300 invited participants from various fields, including foreign diplomats in Japan, attended the 90 minute concert performances. Some expressed fascination about how the sound of the drum seemed to reach deep into their bellies.