The 11th International Red and White Singing Festival(IRWS)

Thank you to everyone who supported us.

IRWS is a music event promoting international exchange through Japanese singing in foreign languages and foreigners singing in Japanese. We successfully concluded the 11th edition with great enthusiasm.

Event Overview:

Date and Time: November 19, 2023, 13:30-17:00
Venue: Minoh Cultural Exchange Center, 6-3-1 Minoh, Osaka 562-0001, Japan
Support: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan-ASEAN Center, Overseas Japanese Association, Study Abroad Support Consortium Osaka
Sponsors: City Housing Corporation, Handy Network International Corporation

= Partner Companies and Organizations =

ICHII Corporation, Global Trust Networks Co., Ltd., Eisei Hospital, Japan Mind-Body Functional Activation Therapy Instructors Association, Oakhouse Co., Ltd. EMUROKU Corporation, Exing Co., Ltd.

Radjin (General Incorporated Association) / Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE) / Osaka International Exchange Center (Public Interest Incorporated Foundation) / Music for SDGs Humming for PEACE

Yamamoto Gakuen School / Nihongo Platto

LPK Bahana Inspirasi Muda (Indonesia)
Cebu Music Learning Center (Philippines)
Brazilian Business Group - ASIA (Japan-Brazil)

Organizer: International Red and White Singing Festival Executive Committee

This event served as the final event of the first-ever "Study Abroad Student Week," initiated from November 13 to 20 to deepen the exchange between international students and Japanese people (organized by the Study Abroad Support Consortium Osaka). It was held at the Minoh Cultural Exchange Center in Osaka and connected online with Cebu and Sao Paulo.

Participants from 11 countries and regions, including Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Macao, India, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Brazil, and Japan, gathered, including performers and volunteers both at the Osaka venue and online.
 

　

　

Host: Sunny Francis, a popular TV and radio personality with 32 years in Japan, and a former Indian international student.
Assistant: Representing student volunteers, Mayo Inoue, a 3rd-year student from Osaka University's School of Foreign Studies.
Opening: Kicked off with the support song "Asian Gateway Osaka"

After that, the enthusiasm of the 13 participants continued to heat up. Later on, people from overseas sang songs J-pop like "Marigold," "Melody," and the theme from "Demon Slayer" in Japanese. Japanese participants showcased Thai and English songs.

Guest Singer: Tatsuya Kitagawa, Minoh J-POP Ambassador, made a special appearance. 

The finale saw Mr. Mizohata, Chairman of the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau, singing "WE ARE THE WORLD" along with international students, all performers, volunteers, and staff involved.

Special Performances: Included the Osaka Kansai Expo TEAMEXPO's "1 Million People Radio Calisthenics" and a performance by the Osaka Castle Red Guard (a cleaning volunteer group).

Online connections with Sao Paulo (Brazil) and Cebu (Philippines), featuring guest singer videos and a Zoom connection with Ebihara, Chief Judge of the Sao Paulo Nikkei Karaoke Association, introducing local karaoke culture. Followed by a connection with Cebu Music Learning Center, which supported the event in 2017-2018, discussing future collaboration.

Recognition:

Two students from Indonesian medical universities, selected through Indonesian qualifiers, were invited. One student, Naya, received the Osaka Convention &Tourism Bureau Director's Award. The Indonesian Ministry of Health reported the warm reception of Japanese society towards healthcare professionals.

Insights from Local Representatives:

According to local representative Haruyama, who supported the Indonesian qualifiers, the global competition for caregiving and nursing talents is intensifying. Despite the relative decline in Japan's attractiveness due to a weaker yen compared to Germany and Saudi Arabia, Japan emphasizes its solid reception infrastructure and welcoming atmosphere.

Volunteer Involvement:

High school and university volunteers, including six English volunteer guides from Osaka Castle and Hokoku Shrine, 15 Vietnamese students from Osaka University of Economics, and four Japanese students from Osaka Public University, actively supported the event. They experienced the joy and challenges of international exchange and event coordination.

The six student interpreter volunteers took on various roles, serving as ambassadors for the International Red and White Singing Festival. They engaged in promotional activities, such as radio appearances and promoting the event at the Children's EXPO. On the event day, they assisted as assistants to the hosts, conducting interviews with participants in both Japanese and English.

The event plans to continue regular online meetups with participants and volunteers from Cebu and Sao Paulo. Building on the success of online interactions, efforts will be made to deepen connections between guest participants, Japanese participants, and volunteers, aiming to create an online community for the International Red and White Singing Festival in preparation for next year's event on November 17, 2024, at Maple Hall in Minoh City.

Event Coverage and Publication

Pre-event PR:

Children's EXPO Feature: "Let's Talk About Osaka-Kansai Expo and SDGs"
Provided by Nishio Rent-All Co., Ltd.
Event Participation: October 28

FM Kobe KISSFM - Guest Appearance on VANDY's "What's Going On"

Guest appearance on VANDY's show, "What's Going On," on November 12.

　

Event Coverage and Publication

Pre-event PR:

Minoh FM816 - Ongaku no Susume (Music Recommendations) - November 3
https://fm.minoh.net/program/onsusu/

Event Coverage:

Newspaper Coverage: Yomiuri Shimbun (Published on November 20) & Yomiuri Online

ABC Radio - Sunny Francis's Masala Radio (18-21h) - November 19

Sunny Francis, who hosted the event, humorously covered the International Red and White Singing Festival on his radio show for over 10 minutes.
https://abcradio.asahi.co.jp/masararadio/

Jimoto Topics on JCOM (Osaka Area) - November 25-December 1

https://www2.myjcom.jp/special/jch/jimotopi/

A local information program, "Jimoto Topics," was broadcast three times a day from November 25 to December 1 on JCOM in the Osaka area.
Jimoto Topics Link
Featured on Minoh FM816's "Minoo NOW" program on November 27 and 28.
https://now.minoh.net/

https://now.minoh.net/2023/11/19/id_1837

Social Media Coverage:

Participants, friends, and acquaintances shared event details in various languages on numerous SNS platforms.

Example1:A video digest created by Filipino participants

Example2:A video digest created by Indonesian participants

During International Student Week 2022 "11/12-11/20", the popular sushi-making "Nigiri Sushi Experience" was held at Tsuji Culinary Institute in Osaka.

International students from all over the world enjoyed the first experience of their lifetime.

(Challenging sushi using conger eel and cucumber from Osaka)

The custom of eating raw fish has spread around the world as sushi became popular worldwide.

you can find sushi restaurants all over the world, but the experience of making it is very valuable.

Making sushi was an unforgettable and valuable experience for international students studying in Japan.

At first, they practiced making sushi with chikuwa(fishcake) over and over again, and when they got the hang of it, they use real fish.

(Korean students of Tsuji Culinary Institute helping int'l students to experience making sushi)

Int'l students who are learning about Japanese cuisine experience the role of a teacher.

They were conveying the charm of Japanese food from the same int'l student's point of view.

'Experience making sushi and arranging them beautifully'

It was delicious together with red dashi made from the best Ichiban-dashi (first brewing of soup stock)

The student from the United States enjoying the experience

European female international students are enthusiastic about making sushi!!

 Vietnamese student "Well done even for the first time"

Chinese student ' Challenge sushi business in the future? '

Sushi is booming even in the Islamic world!

Malaysian student says ' it was easier than I thought. '

We were treated to sushi made by international students.

The conger eel was also excellent.

Thank you to all the senior international students and teachers at Tsuji Culinary Institute for the great assistance.

  (Gratitude from participating international students)

 

“Washoku: traditional food culture of the Japan” has been designated as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Japanese cuisine can be said as the culmination of Japanese culture, such as its cooking method, presentation, and beauty of tableware,

If you are familiar with Japanese culture

Off course you all know "Sushi SUSHI" and "Tempura TEMPURA".

Through this kind of "nigiri sushi" experience, Hopefully the awareness of Japanese food culture spread among international students.

Considering as Int'l exchange program, this "Nigiri sushi experience", of students of Tsuji Culinary Institute and int'l students have the potential to become a new type of entertainment, where you can eat the sushi you made.

There is also another entertaining tempura-making experience in December.

 

The 10th International Red and White Singing Festival (IRWS)

were held by connecting 5 countries  

Japanese sing in a foreign language, Non-Japanese sing in Japanese, 

IRWS is a new way to promote mutual understanding of different cultures by singing

together.

《Date and time》 November 20, 2021, 15: 30-18: 30

《Place》 Hagoromo Gakuen / Lecture Hall 1-11-57 Higashihagoromo,

Takaishi City, Osaka 592-0003

<< Authorized by >> 

Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau,

ASEAN-Japan Centre.

The Association of Nikkei & Japanese Abroad

 << Sponsored by>> 

『TopTop real estate company in Ota-Ward in Tokyo』 

City Housing Co., Ltd. 

『Grow and Learn together with Social Residence』

Oak House Co., Ltd.

------------------------------------

＊＊Partner companies/organizations＊＊

Ichi Co., Ltd.

Global Trust Networks Co., Ltd. 

Eisei Hospital, 

Japan Mental and Physical Function Activation Therapy Instructor Association

XING Inc.

 << Organizer >> International Red and White Singing Festival Executive Committee

This event is held as the venue of called "International Student Week" (sponsored by the International Student Support Consortium Osaka), which is the first in Japan, starting from November 13 to 20 to deepen exchanges between international students and Japanese people. It was held online by connecting the stage in Osaka and Cebu, Bali, Sao Paulo, Tokyo.

 

*Number of event participants

Approximately 150 participants (Hagoromo Gakuen Auditorium, Osaka)

Participants from 13 countries and regions including Indonesia, Nepal, Myanmar, Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, India, Inner Mongolia, China, Russia, Brazil, Japan.

*The number of　viewers:

Approximately 1000 in real-time. Access has continued to grow, reaching 2500 counts (as of Dec 15th). By December 22, an e-mail newsletter will be delivered to 15,000 people in Japanese and English. Therefore, it is expected to be accessed about 10000 counts as a whole by the end of the year.

 

MC is Sunny Francis, a former international student from India. And he is  Kansai's popular TV/radio personality who has been in Japan for 35 years. Ryoko Yuasa, a 4th year student at Kwansei Gakuin University, acted as an assistant.

MC , Sunny Francis, and Ryoko Yuasa emphasized:

『Only one thing we want your favor. please send big applause and cheers to performers』

『IRWS is not for competition. IRWS is for praise for all performers 』

The opening started with "Asian Gateway Osaka", a cheering song for IRWS in Osaka, and it was followed by  "Smile and HAPPY VOICE".composed for Japanese learners.

 

After that, the student from Myanmar sang "365 days of paper airplanes" and "nada so so" in Japanese, and Japanese participants sang Korean, Thai, Swedish, and English songs. 

Chairman Mizohata of the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau also sang "WE ARE THE WORLD" with international students to encourage them.

 

　　

    The IRWS 2018 Cebu winner (Philippines)     The IRWS 2018 in Bali winner (Indonesia) 　

In the second half, the IRWS 2018 in Bali winner (Indonesia), the 2018 Cebu winner (Philippines), Sao Paulo (Brazil), and Tokyo were connected and introduced, 

Prepared videos of the guest singers were played at the venue, and they were so happy to see them. Keisha (17 years old) is already active as a singer and wants to study music in Japan.

 

Although unofficial, a pre-exchange meeting was held only for online participants, although performers who have geographically separated, made good friends by sharing their interest in Japan and listening to each other's songs.

TV coverage began a few days before the show, and three cameras were on the day, and many overseas participants were interviewed. It seems that it would have been a good memory for the participants.

This time, the state of emergency was lifted one and a half months before the event, so most of the participants' adjustments and volunteer meetings were done online. live-streaming on YOUTUBE was also done.

We plan to hold regular online social gatherings with the participating members and volunteers to promote efforts to shorten the physical distance and create a friendly  IRWS community online for next year.

 Special guest from Philippines

        （polarのAshley＆Faith）

“polar” (Ashely & Faith)  graduated from the popular group MNL48 (Philippines version of AKB48) also took into consideration their activities in Japan, and for this day, they practiced Japanese songs and made a friendship appearance online.

Special guest from Tokyo 

Miho Ogata (緒方美穂) World tour of Folk song：Turkey version) She is the main vocalist of the group called 『ORINOVIVO』, which plays world folk songs of more than 25 countries. Their concert is said to be The world tour of folk song music.

Two online participants from San Paulo, Brazil

 

In addition, there were two online participants from Brazil this time, but they learned about this event and participated with the introduction of the Nikkei Karaoke Association (registered members of about 100,000) in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

We had a lot of online meetings in advance with Mr. Ebihara, who has been the representative for 25 years since the Asso. was founded. In the future, we confirmed that we will create closer relationships with each other. We will continue to interact with each other in order to have representatives at each event. São Paulo is also a sister city of Osaka,

We hope to promote "song exchange" with Sao Paulo, Brazil, the home country of many Japanese Emigrants, and create an atmosphere where many people will come to Japan at the 2025 Osaka Expo.

 

●Media coverage

 

1: national newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun (21st Nov)

 

２：FM Kobe　KISSFM　Interviewed at “ VANDY what's going on”（7th Nov）

　　Mc Sunny Francias’  radio program at Radio ABC　(14th & 21th Nov)

 

３：Internet media: Kansai Chiniese Times ,kabun jihou,zaikei newspaper,and many others

 

4:　TV Tokyo 『YOUは何しに日本へ』( What do you want to do in Japan?)

  Very popular long-lasting TV program    ( On Air date is not fixed yet.)

TV crew brought 3 cameras and spent 3 days taking a movie, many Non-japanese contestants have been interviewed. They had very good memorable experiences.

[unscaled1]

I would like to invite my friends in Visayas once again, especially those who are in CEBU, to please join this event which will be held in AYALA Center in August. this is a very awesome experience! Those who can sing Japanese songs are very much welcome! 

https://www.facebook.com/events/1981850132045752/permalink/1987131208184311/?action_history[%7B%22surface%22%3A%22timeline%22%2C%22mechanism%22%3A%22surface%22%2C%22extra_data%22%3A[]%7D]&pnref=story

[unscaled2]

 

The 6th Red-White Singing Festival       

第6回国際紅白歌合戦

Make entry  now  for contestants ,volunteers/

第6回　国際紅白歌合戦　 参加者・協力団体・ボランテイア募集中！！

 

National holiday 10th Octoerber 16:00-21:00

National Olympics Memorial Youth Center (near yoyogi park)

 国立オリンピック記念青少年総合センター・大ホール 　16:00-21:00

 

 

 

The　３rd　Internatrional　red-white　singing　contest　is　in　osaka event calender 

http://www.osaka-info.jp/en/eventcalendar/

   

 

Have a nice chat with many Japanese sake lovers.

 

 mashiko　tour　with　mashiko　family

 

地元の方の直売所のお手伝い。一年前の出来事を乗り越えていこうというように賑わいを見せました。
We helped local people at the direct sales store. It prospered as if trying to overcome the tragedy.

旅館のお風呂の近く飾ってあった時計。相田みつをさんのメッセージが
地震の被害にあった益子の人々に前向きなメッセージを送っているような気がしました。
A clock which was on display near the bath in the Japanese-style hotel.
It says that "Don't care about your failure, we are just human being" by famous artist Mituo Aida. I felt this as a positive message to the people of Masyuko even though they were damaged by the earthquake.

 

 益子の地元の米を使っておにぎりを作っているところ。
おにぎりひとつにも作り方にコツがあることをまなびました。
お腹が空いてたせいかおにぎりを何個も食べてしまいました。
This is the picture making riceball by Masyuko's rice.
We learned that making just a simple riceball needs technique.
Since we were hungry, everyone ate too much till they become full.
 
ｂｙ　Tsuyoshi　Taniguchi