Poster of Sapporo Concert

As a part of its ongoing efforts to bolster social welfare in Japan, The Nippon Foundation sponsors charity events around the nation. The foundation provides the financial backing required to hold of these events: most commonly concerts by regional orchestras. Afterwards, the proceeds go to local NPOs in order to help them conduct their work.

In 2010, cooperating with local orchestras and newspapers, The Nippon Foundation is supporting four concerts under the theme of "Celebrating the Sea." The events are to be held in Sapporo (July 23), Yamagata(July 23), Fukuoka(July 26), and Tokyo(August 20) this year, and the organizations to receive funding will be selected by the newspaper companies.

Fukuoka Concert Poster

Charity events are common in Japan, but in many cases, their revenues and expenditures are not made clear to those who take part. Therefore, in these sea-related charity events, the Nippon Foundation is working with newspaper companies that promote social welfare activities and that have access to large volumes of information about local charities.

Fukuoka Concert Poster

Yamagata Concert Poster

Working under the slogan "From a Japan Protected by the Sea to a Japan that Protects the Sea," The Nippon Foundation supports many marine and maritime projects, both at home and abroad. In this year's charity events, sea-related musical numbers will be selected by orchestra members, in part to remind the Japanese people that their country is a maritime nation.

Iori Iwasaki, manager of the Planning and Production Division, Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, said, "We are feeling a strong social meaning to this concert because of its connection with charity work. We hope a lot of people come.”

Tokyo Concert Poster

Sapporo, on July 23
Cooperation: Sapporo Symphony Orchestra, The Hokkaido Shimbun.
Recipient Organization: Kitahiroshima rehabilitation center for elderly.

Fukuoka, on July 26
Cooperation: Kyushu Symphony Orchestra, Nishinippon Shimbun.
Recipient Organization: Kodomoni Yasashii Machidukuri Network.

Yamagata, on July 28
Cooperation: Yamagata Symphony Orchestra, Yamagata Broadcasting, Yamagata Shimbun.
Recipient Organization: Yamagata Inochino Denwa.

Tokyo, on August 20
Cooperation: Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, The Asahi Shimbun Company.
Recipient Organization: the Japan Cancer Society.