Asia Pacific Region Orchestras Summit Japan

AGENDA As of March 4, 2026

Orchestras in the 22nd Century - Local Yet Global Orchestras Transforming Their Cities and the World.

MUZA Kawasaki​ Symphony Hall, Assembly Room
Monday, March 30

11:00 – 12:30

Opening Session and welcome speeches from Kawasaki City

Theme: Local Yet Global Orchestras Transforming Their Cities and the World.

Main Contributors:

Mr. Naohiro Akiyama, Music Town Promotion Section, Civic Culture Promotion Office, Civic Culture Bureau, Kawasaki City

Mr. Yoshitaka Hirooka, Managing Director, Tokyo Symphony Orchestra

Mr. Gerald Mertens, Managing Editor, das Orchester

Representatives of Asian Orchestras, et al.

Session II 14:00 - 15:45

Day 1 / Theme: The Future of the Asia Pacific Orchestras: Mutual understanding and sharing of knowledge among Asia–Pacific orchestras, Visions for the 22nd Century

Day 2 of this session will be held on Wednesday, April 1.

Session III 16:00 – 17:30

・ The Current and Future State of Communication Programs

Main Contributors:

Ms. Aika Fukahori, Gunma Symphony Orchestra

Mr. Satoshi Shimada, Gunma Prefectural Board of Education, High School Education Division

Dr Graham Sattler, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra

Ms. Misa Kirihara, Tokyo Symphony Orchestra

Mr. Koichi Nakagawa, Sapporo Symphony Orchestra

MUZA Kawasaki​ Symphony Hall, Assembly Room

Tuesday, March 31

Session Ⅳ　　9:30 – 11:00

・ Empowering Orchestra Librarians : From Score Storage to a Strategic Planning Hub

A Session with the Librarian from the Seattle Symphony

Main Contributors:

Mr. Robert Olivia, Seattle Symphony

Ms. Keiko Itonaga, Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra

Ms. Hiromi Matsuda, Hiroshima Symphony Orchestra

Mr. Hirokazu Hoki, Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra

Session Ⅴ　　11:20 – 12:50

・ Orchestras as Platforms for East Meets West, Old Meets New Culture

Main Contributors:

Mr. Yoichi Ochiai, Media artist

Ms. Aya Oumi, Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa

Ms. Junko Yamagishi, Japan Philharmonic Orchestra

Session Ⅵ　　14:30 – 16:00

・ Orchestras for Well-being

Main Contributors:

Ms. Asuka Okishio, Ms. Erina Otani, Tokyo Philharmonic

Mr. Takuma Kakitsuka, Kyushu Symphony Orchestra

Ms. Lydia Wen-Chen Kuo, Taiwan Philharmonic, the National Symphony Orchestra

Ms. Mia Nakamura, Kyushu University

Ms. Maiko Minai, Tokyo Bunka Kaikan

Session Ⅶ　　16:20 – 17:50

・ The Legacy of Large-Scale Events (e.g., World Expo) and the Role of Orchestras

Main Contributors:

Mr. Akihiro Yamaguchi, Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra

Mr. Yuya Miyazaki, Conductor, Osaka Arts Council, Ryukoku University

Mr. Horiguchi Akihiko, Cultural Economy and International Affairs Division, Agency for Cultural Affairs

MUZA Kawasaki Symphony Hall

Doors open 18:00 / Start 19:00

Special Orchestra Day Concert: A Grand Celebration
Bringing together selected musicians from 40 orchestras with 4 of Japan’s leading conductors for a one-night-only celebration.

MUZA Kawasaki​ Symphony Hall, Exhibition Room

Wednesday, April 1

Session Ⅷ　9:30 – 11:00

・ Human resource development through international exchange

Main Contributors:

Mr. Toshihisa Yokomori, Hyogo Performing Arts Center Orchestra

Mr. Yoshitaka Hirooka, "Asia Project," Tokyo Symphony Orchestra

Mr. Yuya Miyazaki, Conductor, Osaka Arts Council, Ryukoku University

Mr. Gerald Mertens, Managing Editor, das Orchester

Session Ⅸ　11：20 – 12:30

Day 2 / Theme: The Future of the Asia Pacific Orchestras: Mutual understanding and sharing of knowledge among Asia–Pacific orchestras, Visions for the 22nd Century

Closing 12:45 – 13:00

The Journey Continues: Destination 2028

Announcement of the next host city