Social Contribution
There are infinite possibilities when it comes to encountering music and the power it brings.
The Japan Philharmonic Orchestra has a unique history of overcoming difficult times with the support of many people, and has cultivated a spirit of "warmth" and "compassion," and has positioned the wide range of initiatives nurtured through diverse collaborations with society as the three pillars of "orchestral concerts," "education programs," and "regional activities." Furthermore, the activities in disaster-stricken areas that began after the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in 1995 were continued as "Music for Disaster Areas" in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, and the orchestra continues to actively carry out these activities as the fourth pillar of its activities.
In recent years, expectations are growing for new roles for orchestras to play in addressing the many challenges facing local communities, including disaster-stricken areas, disparities in club activities and cultural opportunities, issues surrounding children such as various family problems, and responses to disabilities and diversity. As a top orchestra that combines artistic and social aspects, the Japan Philharmonic is also working to solve these challenges.
In 2026, we will celebrate our 70th anniversary. With our new motto of "Turning Resonance into Hot Waves," we will connect with many people through our musical activities and spread the unique efforts of the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra to every corner of society.
Connecting music and learning- Education Program -
We hope that encounters with music will be a catalyst for new realizations and growth for everyone, from children to adults. The Japan Philharmonic Orchestra offers a wide variety of programs that nurture sensitivity and creativity through experiences and dialogue that go beyond mere appreciation of music. We deliver learning opportunities to each individual in a variety of settings, including schools, concert halls, and local communities.
Summer Family Concert
The Japan Philharmonic Orchestra's Summer Family Concert, which began in 1975, has been a pioneering orchestral performance for parents and children for nearly half a century. In addition to the power of live music, the concert features a diverse stage with ballet and song, and a multifaceted program that also includes direct interaction with orchestra members. Through high-quality musical experiences, the concert fosters children's rich sensibilities and the foundation for creativity that will soar into the future.
Education Festival
The Education Festival, presented by the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra and Suginami Koukaido, is a musical event that can be enjoyed with all five senses, and is open to children from the age of 0. Centered around a full-scale orchestral concert, the festival is popular as a place to foster an interest in music through a variety of hands-on events.
Encounters with music at schools and facilities
Throughout the year, we visit facilities such as elementary and junior high schools and nursery schools to give chamber music performances. We create original programs by our musicians, and while placing importance on two-way communication, we allow audiences to enjoy the performance up close in an everyday space that is different from a concert hall.
Music Workshop
Rather than simply listening to music, the program offers participants the opportunity to actively participate through performance, creation, dialogue, etc. From children to adults, each individual creates sound and expression, providing an experience that touches on the essence of music, and through repeated discovery and dialogue, it is a place that fosters creativity and a desire to learn.
Internship
We provide students with an opportunity to learn about orchestral activities from various perspectives.
Playing together with the local community- Regional Activities -
The Japan Philharmonic places the utmost importance on dialogue with the culture and people rooted in the land. Our goal is not simply to "visit" but to walk together as a part of the town. We work hand in hand with local people, shedding light on the history and culture of the land, while fostering a rich daily life filled with music. In schools, welfare facilities, or on street corners, we build up one encounter after another to expand the "circle of music" that can only be born in that place.
Suginami
Suginami City and the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra formed a friendship partnership in 1994, and have been working to promote local culture through concerts and educational activities. With approximately 50 performances per year, the orchestra provides residents with opportunities to experience music in a familiar setting.
Kyushu Tour
The Japan Philharmonic's Kyushu performances, which began in 1975, are a unique collaborative project run entirely by a citizens' executive committee. It has continued for 50 years, fostering a culture rooted in the local community through music.
Expanding activities together with the local community
While valuing encounters and dialogue with local people, the orchestra listens to the unique culture and history of the area and fosters music together.By going beyond the framework of an orchestra and engaging in activities rooted in the local community, the orchestra is creating new connections and enriching the community through music.
Initiatives in disaster-stricken areas
The Japan Philharmonic Orchestra has continued to use the power of music to reach out to those affected by various disasters, including the Great East Japan Earthquake. Believing that music has the power to convey feelings that cannot be expressed in words, the orchestra visits various venues, including evacuation centers, temporary housing, schools, and local facilities, to deliver heartfelt performances. Cherishing each and every encounter, the orchestra continues to foster connections with various regions and engage in ongoing activities.
Bringing music to disaster-stricken areas
We are running a "Music for Disaster Areas" project to bring music to areas affected by disasters. We have been performing in areas such as the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, Kumamoto, Okayama, and Tohoku, healing people's hearts and fostering communication through music.
Tohoku Dream Project
As we continued our "Music for the Disaster Areas" project, we discovered a need for interaction and cultural dissemination, in addition to psychological care, and so launched the "Tohoku Dream Project." We aim to support the dreams, futures, and smiles of children, and to create a place for interaction and dissemination.
15 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake
We will continue to work together with people who aim to move beyond reconstruction
Fifteen years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011. We would like to express our heartfelt sympathies to those affected by the disaster and our deepest respect for those who are working hard to rebuild the area.
Through our 380 activities in disaster-stricken areas to date, the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra has come into contact with the efforts toward reconstruction. When we visited evacuation shelters immediately after the earthquake, we were deeply moved by the sight of people patiently enduring harsh living conditions, and while living in evacuation shelters and reconstruction housing, we experienced firsthand the divisions that come with relocation and the inconveniences that come with starting a new life. Furthermore, through our musical activities with children, we have been encouraged by the idea that music can be a new force for reconstruction.
Through these experiences, we sensed possibilities for the future in the eyes and smiles of the children, and in response to the needs of the disaster-stricken areas - a desire to "experience art and culture," "interact with other regions," and "disseminate information about the disaster-stricken areas" - we launched the "Tohoku Dream Project" in Iwate and Fukushima prefectures in 2019 to support children who are serious about music and performing arts and widely publicize their activities. On January 7, 2026, the Tohoku Dream Project was held for the first time in Tokyo, where we performed with children from Iwate and Fukushima prefectures and widely shared the current state of the Tohoku region through press conferences and information booths.
In July 2022, in recognition of our activities to date, we received the 16th Goto Shinpei Award, a wonderful award with ties to the Tohoku region. In 2023, we signed a partnership agreement with Iwate Prefecture, and in 2024, we signed a comprehensive partnership agreement with Fukushima Prefecture. In Iwate Prefecture, we formed an executive committee including the prefecture, and are implementing the Tohoku Dream Project in an even more comprehensive manner. Taking advantage of this partnership, in addition to coastal reconstruction support activities, we are also actively working to promote local music culture and support the transition of school club activities to local areas.
The Japan Philharmonic Orchestra will continue to look beyond the reconstruction of the disaster-stricken areas, asking itself what it can do as a musical organization, and will continue to work towards making music a source of strength for society.
2026 June 3
日本フィルハーモニー交響楽団
The joy of music for everyone
We believe that music has the power to convey emotions and move hearts, and have delivered music not only to concert hall stages, but also to schools, local communities, and disaster-stricken areas. No matter where we are or what our circumstances, when we encounter music, we can be moved, connect with others, and gain the strength to move forward toward the future. As musicians and members of society, we hope that music will be there for us in such moments, and we continue to consider its role while facing social changes. The Japan Philharmonic will continue to value both artistry and social responsibility, believe in the power of music, and bring the joy of music to all people.
Message from the musicians
When engaging in outreach activities, I believe it's most important to keep in mind what the Japan Philharmonic values and what society expects from us. For example, closeness and warmth with the audience are key. Many outreach activities don't have a stage or seating. This allows us to feel these things even more strongly, and at the same time, it gives us a sense of pride. As performers, our highest priority is to consistently deliver high-quality performances, regardless of the target audience's age or level of musical interest. We take the time to select pieces, not just famous ones, but also to create opportunities for people to discover unfamiliar pieces. There are many other wonderful works besides "Eine Kleine"! It's not enough for performers to just perform! I hope to engage more closely with society from various angles, sometimes through workshops and talks.
Since forming a friendship partnership with Suginami Ward, the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra has been performing as a chamber orchestra at various venues in the ward. We deliver music to a wide range of generations, from children to the elderly, and each performance is designed to please people of all ages. We hope that by visiting familiar venues and delivering music to the residents, we can provide them with a time to relax and feel refreshed. We have also been blessed with opportunities to create musical events together with the people of Suginami Ward, such as the Ogikubo Music Festival and the Education Festival. We hope to continue to interact with the residents of the ward through music.
Advances in music entry technology have made it possible to almost perfectly reproduce the sound of an orchestra on a computer. In an age where efficiency and typography are paramount, when I consider the value of an organization like an orchestra, a polar opposite, my numerous social activities have given me a perspective not only on the preservation and development of musical art, a treasure of humanity, but also on the importance of its relationship with society. For musicians, it's usually difficult to truly grasp how the music they play connects with the outside world, the relationship between the stage and the audience. However, when I interacted directly with people in disaster relief efforts or witnessed the boundless energy of those older than me in my "Musical Instrument Classes for People Over 60," I began to realize that perhaps being a musician isn't necessary, and I was able to directly experience the joy. For me, this is an invaluable part of my life's work.
When the earthquake occurred, I was in fifth grade and had a twin brother who had just been released from the NICU. News about the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear accident was constantly on TV, and not a day went by without feeling anxious. At the time, I didn't have time to think about the future; I was just trying to survive each day. However, now I'm a member of the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, which is also devoting itself to earthquake recovery efforts. When I've participated in performances and clinics in Futaba and Haramachi, I've felt the hope and dreams of the local people. I believe that music alone cannot contribute to recovery, but I also believe that there can be no recovery without music. I believe that continuing these activities is meaningful, and I would like to continue my musical activities in the future, cherishing my connections with the local people.
