Association overview

Between Japan and Romania,
Certainly, differences in language and culture are at play.
But we face each other honestly as human beings,
If you communicate
That distance will surely shrink in an instant!
Our association aims to be a bridge of friendship between the two countries.
We are engaged in a variety of activities.
With the people who will be responsible for the future of Japan-Romania relations
We want to cherish our interactions with others.

the purpose

Established in December 2005 with the cooperation of the Romanian Embassy in Japan, the organization aims to spread the culture of Eastern Europe's Romania to the world through music and deepen friendship and cultural exchange between Japan and Romania. To discover artists rooted in international exchange, the "Romania International Music Competition" has been held every summer in Tokyo since 2005. Following the recognition of the Romania International Music Competition, a junior competition was also launched, further strengthening cultural exchange between Romania and Japan. As one example, those who qualify to participate in a performance tour to Romania through the competition perform concerts in Romania, seizing the opportunity for an international debut and playing a part in cultural exchange between the two countries.
Business content
1. Romania International Music Competition
2. Support for artists' performance activities in Romania
3. Introduction of Romanian music in Japan
4. Introducing Japanese music in Romania
5. Volunteer activities to promote music in Romania; Fundraising to send musical instruments to Romania.
6. Businesses stemming from musical activities, such as concert tours to Romania.
7. others
List of Board Members

Honorary Chairman
Yoshiaki Ohara (Chairman of the Board of Directors of Tamagawa Gakuen)

chairman
Ovidiou Alexandr Laecki (Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Romania to Japan)

advisor
Ichiro Aizawa (Member of the House of Representatives, Chairman of the Japan-Romania Friendship Parliamentary League)

Chairman
Kazuko Shimada

director
Masahiko Ukai (Minato Ward Council Member)

Shinichi Oda (Representative, Mirai Consultants LLC)

Kentaro Kawai (President of Kawai Musical Instruments Mfg. Co., Ltd.)

Sebastian Gheorghiu (UCIMR Representative Concert Director)

Toshiaki Kurosaka (Former Chairman of Porsche Japan Co., Ltd.)

Masatoshi Sase (Representative Attorney, Alpha Partners)

Zhou Jianghwan (Attorney at Alpha Partners)

Masao Torii (Former President and CEO of Novartis Holdings Japan Co., Ltd.)

Mina Nagaoka (Certified Public Accountant and Tax Accountant)

Hitoshi Noda (Former Japanese Ambassador to Romania)

Akihisa Hori (Director, Toon Kikaku)
auditor

Hirokazu Okumura (Executive Officer, Nippon Express Transport Co., Ltd.)

History

2025	January-February: Regional preliminary rounds of the Romania International Junior Music Competition are held. (Sapporo, Fukushima, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Nagano, Aichi, Okayama, Tokushima, Fukuoka) February Romania International Junior Music Competition Prize Winners' Concert Venue: Embassy of Romania March Romania International Junior Music Competition, Shanghai Venue: Oriental Art Center 20th Anniversary Closing Concert Venue: Belle Salle Toranomon Romania International Junior Music Competition Final Round Venue: Akasaka Community Hall, Minato Ward April Received the "Award for Music Promotion" from UCIMR. Venue: Athens Music Hall Received the "Head of Mission Commendation" from the Japanese Embassy in Romania. Venue: Official Residence of the Japanese Embassy in Romania June Kansai Osaka Expo Romania Day Ceremony and Luncheon Venue: EXPO National Day Hall (Ray Garden) "Japan-China Friendship Concert" hosted by the Shanghai Ambassador's Residence Venue: Ambassador's Residence, Shanghai July ICon Arts Transylvania Venue: Romania (Liquisch, Biertan, etc.) The 1st "Soar into the Future! Concerto Series for Juniors" Venue: Belle Salle Toranomon Concert commemorating the 75th anniversary of Dinu Lipatti's death Venue: Embassy of Romania August The 21st Romania International Music Competition Venue: Minato Ward Takanawa Community Hall October Romania Concert Tour Venue: Romania (Brasov, Sibiu, Bucharest, Pitište) Romania International Junior Music Competition in New York Venue: Opera Center Hall november A reunion of competition winners Venue: NOBORI
2024	January-February: Regional preliminary rounds of the Romania International Junior Music Competition are held. (Sapporo, Fukushima, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Nagano, Aichi, Hyogo, Okayama, Tokushima, Fukuoka) March 20th Anniversary Concert Venue: Belle Salle Toranomon Romania International Junior Music Competition Final Round Venue: Akasaka Community Hall, Minato Ward April Concert by the winners of the Little Artist Award at the Romania International Junior Music Competition Venue: GINZA 7th Studio May CellEAST (Invited by Professor Yoko Hasegawa) Venue: Athens Music Hall and other venues July ICon Arts Transylvania Venue: Romania (Liquisch, Biertan, etc.) August The 20th Romania International Music Competition Venue: Minato Ward Takanawa Community Hall October Romania Concert Tour Venue: Romania (Brasov, Sibiu, Bucharest, Pitište)
2023	January-February: Romania International Junior Music Competition (Renamed from the 5th Akasaka Junior Music Competition, which was the Junior version of the Romania International Music Competition) Regional qualifying rounds will be held (Sapporo, Fukushima, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Nagano, Aichi, Hyogo, Okayama, Tokushima, Fukuoka) March Romania International Junior Music Competition Final Round (formerly known as the 5th Akasaka Junior Music Competition, a junior version of the Romania International Music Competition) Venue: Akasaka Community Hall, Minato Ward June Concert by the winners of the Little Artist Award at the Romania International Junior Music Competition Venue: GINZA 7th Studio August The 19th Romania International Music Competition Venue: Minato Ward Takanawa Community Hall October Romania Concert Tour Venue: Romania (Brasov, Sibiu, Bucharest) november Romania International Music Competition Junior Edition 6th Akasaka Junior Music Competition Prize Winners' Concert Venue: Embassy of Romania december 19th Romania International Music Competition Prize Winners' Recital Venue: Belle Salle Toranomon
2022	March Romania International Music Competition (Junior Edition) The 5th Akasaka Junior Music Competition Finals Venue: Akasaka Community Hall, Minato Ward April An evening of music presented by the Romanian Embassy ~Momotoshu Gypsy Band~ Venue: Embassy of Romania. Her Imperial Highness Princess Hisako Takamado will be in attendance. May 15th Romania International Music Competition Prize Winners' Recital Venue: Tokyo Bunka Kaikan An Evening of Music Presented by the Romanian Embassy: A Concert Commemorating the 15th Anniversary of EU Membership Venue: Embassy of Romania June An Evening of Music Presented by the Romanian Embassy: Maho Irie & Kota Higa Recital Venue: Romanian Embassy August The 18th Romania International Music Competition Venue: Minato Ward Takanawa Community Hall september An Evening of Music Presented by the Romanian Embassy: Fumiko Sakuraoka Pan Flute Recital Venue: Embassy of Romania October Japan-Romania Cultural Exchange Concert Venues: Tokushima, Hyogo, Okayama, Fukuoka, Nagano, Tokyo An Evening of Music Presented by the Romanian Embassy: Christian Agapie Recital Venue: Embassy of Romania november An Evening of Music Presented by the Romanian Embassy ~ Runa Okubo Recital ~ Venue: Embassy of Romania Romania International Music Competition Junior Edition 5th Akasaka Junior Music Competition Prize Winners' Concert Venue: Embassy of Romania december An evening of music presented by the Romanian Embassy ~Luminitza & Stella Christmas Concert~ Venue: Romanian Embassy
2021	February 15th Annual Award Winners' Concert Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Romania and Japan Venue: Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Small Hall March Vol. 3 An Evening of Music Presented by the Romanian Embassy: Akane Otsuka Flute Recital Venue: Embassy of Romania The 4th Romania International Music Competition Jr. Edition Akasaka Junior Music Competition Final Round and Awards Ceremony Venue: Akasaka Community Hall May Vol. 4 An Evening of Music Presented by the Romanian Embassy: Winners of the 15th Romania International Music Competition Venue: Embassy of Romania July to September 5th Akasaka Junior Music Competition Regional Preliminary Round Venues: Sapporo, Fukushima, Tokyo, Aichi, Hyogo, Okayama, Kagawa, Fukuoka August The 17th Romania International Music Competition (cancelled) Venue: Minato Ward Takanawa Community Hall The 11th Romania Exhibition (cancelled) Venue: Minato Ward Takanawa Community Center Exhibition Gallery October 16th Romania Concert Tour (Cancelled) (Bucharest, Sfontogorghe, Sinaia, Sibiu) October to December Concert commemorating the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Romania and Japan and the 140th anniversary of the birth of George Enescu Venues: Fukui, Hyogo, Okayama, Aichi, Fukushima, Tokyo december Romania International Music Competition Junior Edition 4th Akasaka Junior Music Competition Prize Winners' Recital Venue: Kawai Omotesando Pause
2020	February 4th Romania International Music Competition Jr. Edition Akasaka Junior Music Competition Regional Preliminaries Venues: Sapporo, Fukushima, Tokyo, Aichi, Hyogo, Okayama, Kagawa, Fukuoka, Kagoshima March The 4th Romania International Music Competition Junior Edition Akasaka Junior Music Competition Final Round and Awards Ceremony (postponed by one year) Venue: Akasaka Community Hall May 15th Romania International Music Competition Prize Winners' Recital (Postponed) Venue: Ginza Oji Hall July 4th Summer Seminar in Sibiu (Cancelled) Venue: Romania (Sibiu, Biertan, Licis) August The 16th Romania International Music Competition (cancelled) Venue: Minato Ward Takanawa Community Hall The 10th Romania Exhibition (cancelled) Venue: Minato Ward Takanawa Community Center Exhibition Gallery October 15th Romania Concert Tour (Cancelled) (Bucharest, Sfontogorghe, Sinaia, Sibiu) december Vol. 2 An Evening of Music Presented by the Romanian Embassy: Hiroko Yamakawa Saxophone Recital Venue: Embassy of Romania
2019	January The 2nd WORLD MUSIC FESTA Venue: Akasaka Community Hall February 3rd Romania International Music Competition Jr. Edition Akasaka Junior Music Competition Regional Preliminaries Venues: Sapporo, Fukushima, Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka March The 3rd Romania International Music Competition Jr. Edition Akasaka Junior Music Competition Final Round and Awards Ceremony Venue: Akasaka Community Hall May 14th Romania International Music Competition Prize Winners' Recital Venue: Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Small Hall July 3rd Summer Seminar in Sibiu Venue: Romania (Sibiu, Biertan, Licis) August The 15th Romania International Music Competition Venue: Minato Ward Takanawa Community Hall The 9th Romania Exhibition Venue: Minato Ward Takanawa Community Center Exhibition Gallery september Vol. 1 An Evening at the Romanian Embassy Venue: Embassy of Romania October 14th Romania Concert Tour (Bucharest, Sfontogorghe, Sinaia, Sibiu) december The 3rd Romania International Music Competition Jr. Edition Akasaka Junior Music Competition Prize Winners' Recital Venue: Embassy of Romania
2018	March The 1st Romania International Music Competition Junior Edition Akasaka Junior Music Competition Prize Winners' Recital Venue: Embassy of Romania The 2nd Romania International Music Competition (Jr. Edition) Akasaka Junior Music Competition Venue: Akasaka Community Hall May 13th Romania International Music Competition Prize Winners' Recital Venue: Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Small Hall June The encounter between Noh and Romanian music Venue: Embassy of Romania August 2nd Summer Seminar in Sibiu Venue: Romania (Sibiu, Biertan, Licis) ~With the Winds of Romania~ Melodies of the Pan Flute Venue: Embassy of Romania The 14th Romania International Music Competition Venue: Minato Ward Takanawa Community Hall The 8th Romania Exhibition Venue: Minato Ward Takanawa Community Center Exhibition Gallery October 13th Romania Concert Tour (Bucharest, Brașov, Sinaia) november Grand piano donated to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Romania's unification. Venue: Embassy of Romania december The 2nd Romania International Music Competition (Jr. Edition) Akasaka Junior Music Competition Prize Winners' Concert Venue: Embassy of Romania
2017	February 12th Romania International Music Competition Prize Winners' Recital Venue: Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Small Hall March The 1st Romania International Music Competition (Jr. Edition) Akasaka Junior Music Competition Venue: Akasaka Community Hall April Ambassador Tatiana Yosipel's Inauguration Party Venue: Embassy of Romania July 1st Summer Seminar in Sibiu Venue: Romania (Sibiu, Biertan, Litez) August The 13th Romania International Music Competition Venue: Minato Ward Takanawa Community Hall The 7th Romania Exhibition Venue: Minato Ward Takanawa Community Center Exhibition Gallery
2016	February 11th Romania International Music Competition Prize Winners' Recital Venue: Suntory Hall, Minato Ward August The 12th Romania International Music Competition Venue: Minato Ward Takanawa Community Hall The 6th Romania Exhibition Venue: Minato Ward Takanawa Community Center Exhibition Gallery October 10th Romania and Slovenia Concert Tour (Bucharest, Arcux, Sinaia & Ljubljana) december Would Music Festa 2016 Venue: Akasaka Community Hall
2015	January 10th Romania International Music Competition Prize Winners' Recital Venue: Suntory Hall, Minato Ward new year party Venue: Tableaux Lounge August The 11th Romania International Music Competition Venue: Minato Ward Takanawa Community Hall The 5th Romania Exhibition Venue: Minato Ward Takanawa Community Center Exhibition Gallery October 10th Romania Concert Tour (The concert was canceled due to an explosion in Bucharest, Romania. A charity concert was held in cooperation with the American University of Romania, and all proceeds were donated.) december Charity concert Venue: Embassy of Romania (All proceeds will be donated to Spitalul Universitar de Urgenta Bucuresti Hospital)
2014	January 9th Romania International Music Competition Prize Winners' Recital Venue: Suntory Hall, Minato Ward January new year party Venue: Tableaux Lounge March Reception for Chairperson Kazuko Shimada, who received the Order of the Rising Sun, Third Class from Romania. Venue: Royal Park Hotel June Ikebana artist Shogo Kariyazaki's Romania & Türkiye Tour Demonstration Venue: Botanical Garden, Romania Flowers and piano performance Venue: Romanian American University, Romania Demonstration venue: Former Japanese Consulate in Türkiye August The 10th Romania International Music Competition Venue: Minato Ward Takanawa Community Hall The 4th Romania Exhibition Venue: Minato Ward Takanawa Community Center Exhibition Gallery October 9th Romania and Türkiye Concert Tour (Bucharest, Sinaia, Al-Kush & Istanbul)
2013	January 8th Romania International Music Competition Prize Winners' Recital Venue: Suntory Hall, Minato Ward January new year party Venue: Embassy of Romania February Reception for Chairperson Kazuko Shimada to receive the "Merit Award" from the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Venue: Royal Park Hotel March Concert commemorating the 111th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Romania Venue: Kodaiji Doi, Kyoto August The 9th Romania International Music Competition Venue: Minato Ward Takanawa Community Hall The 3rd Romania Exhibition will be held concurrently. October 8th Romania Concert Tour (Concerts in Bucharest, Sinaia, and Arcux) december Chairperson Kazuko Shimada receives the Order of the Rising Sun, Third Class, from the Romanian government.
2012	January 7th Romania International Music Competition Prize Winners' Recital Venue: Suntory Hall, Minato Ward January New Year's Party (held annually since the company's founding) Venue: Embassy of Romania April The 15th Intercultural Communication (Held every other month: February, April, June, August, October, December) - To feel closer to Romania - Venue: Embassy of Romania May Welcome party for the new ambassador of Romania to Japan Venue: Embassy of Romania August The 8th Romania International Music Competition Venue: Takanawa Community Hall The 2nd Romania Exhibition will be held concurrently. Venue: Minato Ward Takanawa Community Center Exhibition Gallery september 7th Romania Concert Tour (Bucharest, Brașov, Sibiu, Sinaia) december Chairperson Kazuko Shimada receives the "Merit Award" from the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Venue: Embassy of Romania
2011	January 6th Romania International Music Competition Prize Winners' Recital Venue: Suntory Hall, Minato Ward February 6th Competition Grand Prix CD Recording Request for sponsorship for a concerto recording with the Romanian National Radio Orchestra and our 7th concert tour to Romania. April Chairperson Kazuko Shimada receives the "Romanian Music Overseas Promotion Award" at the awards ceremony. Venue: Cantacuzino Palace, Romania June Chairperson Kazuko Shimada receives the "Romanian Music Overseas Promotion Award" at a reception. Venue: Embassy of Romania August The 7th Romania International Music Competition (Takanawa Community Hall, Minato Ward) and the 1st Romania Exhibition will be held concurrently (Takanawa Community Center Exhibition Gallery, Minato Ward). september A trip to Romania (Bucharest and Timișoara) to commemorate the first anniversary of the Intercultural Communication course. October 6th Romania Concert Tour (Bucharest, Sinaia, Burlad, Ploiește, and the Japanese Ambassador's Residence)
2010	January The 5th Romania International Music Competition Prize Winners' Recital will be held. Venue: Suntory Hall, Minato Ward Sending invitation tickets to junior high and high schools in Minato Ward Kissport publicity event: Invitation to residents of Minato Ward and those working in Minato Ward May Chairman Shimada's visit to Romania (donating computers to Ion Creanga High School, preparing for the 6th Romania Competition, and requesting sponsorship for the October concert tour). August The 6th Romania International Music Competition will be held at the Takanawa Community Hall in Minato Ward. Live broadcast on Romania's National Radio. October Concert tour in Romania (Bucharest, Burlad, Piatranneamts and the Japanese Ambassador's Residence)
2009	January The 4th Romania International Music Competition Prize Winners' Recital will be held. August The 5th Romania International Music Competition will be held at the Takanawa Community Hall in Minato Ward. Eugen Chickendeleanu Violin Recital to be held as part of the Japan-Danube Exchange Year 2009 commemorative event. Venue: Embassy of Romania and Takanawa Community Center, Minato Ward (sponsored by the Minato Ward Board of Education) Eugen Chickendeleanu to hold public violin lesson Venue: Takanawa Community Center, Minato Ward October Romania Concert Tour ~The Road to Enescu~ International music festival held in Bucharest Award winners' recital to be held at the Enescu Museum Hall Performing with a Romanian pianist Exchange concert held at Ion Creanga High School in Bucharest A lecture concert on the instrument (flute) will be held. Four flutes were presented as a gift. november Intercultural Communication: To Feel Closer to Romania Venue: Romanian Embassy (held every other month. Details omitted below.)
2008	January The 3rd Romania International Music Competition Prize Winners' Recital will be held. August The 4th Romania International Music Competition will be held. October Romania Concert Tour to be Held Award winners' recital to be held at the Enescu Museum Hall Joint format with students from the Bucharest University of Music Exchange concert held at Ion Creanga High School in Bucharest
2007	January The 2nd Romania International Music Competition Prize Winners' Recital will be held. August The 3rd Romania International Music Competition will be held. From the third edition onwards, we have received special co-sponsorship from the Minato Ward Sports, Culture and Health Foundation. A special award, the "Audience Award Selected by Minato Ward Residents," will be established. The event announcement and report will be broadcast on Minato Ward Cable TV. december Romania Concert Tour to be Held Exchange concert held at Aeon Creanga High School They also hold lecture concerts on musical instruments (saxophone).
2006	January The 1st Romania Music Competition Prize Winners' Recital was held. August The 2nd Romania International Music Competition was held (the name was changed to "International" from the second competition onwards). October Romania Concert Tour to be Held The winner of the 2nd competition will perform at the Bystrica Music Festival and hold a winners' concert at the Enescu Museum Hall. An exchange concert was held at Aeon Creanga High School. A lecture concert on musical instruments (flute and double bass) was also held. Instruments and sheet music were donated to the high school.
2005	August The 1st Romania Music Competition will be held in October. Held a concert tour in Romania. Winner of the first competition's top prize. Performed at the Cluj-Napoca Music Festival and a concert in Bucharest (Stefana Tiron made a guest appearance as a soloist in the National Mixed Choir's "Madrigal"). Held an exchange concert at Ion Creanga High School. This has been held annually since, in December. Establishment of the Japan-Romania Music Association

Association overview

the purpose

Business content

List of Board Members

auditor

History

Official Partner Official Partner