Embassy of Japan in the UK

Japanese violinist and composer Taro Hakase, based in the UK, was asked to compose music for the Japanese government’s “Visit Japan” campaign (a campaign running since 2003 to promote tourism to Japan). He has also been involved in many charity concerts since the Great East Japan earthquake in March 2011. Our Webmagazine had a chance to speak to him about his music, Japan and upcoming concert.

The current catch phrase of the “Visit Japan” campaign is “Discover the Spirit of Japan”. What do you believe is the “Spirit of Japan”?

Japanese people appreciate the spirit of “Wa”. This is a feeling whereby people can understand each other without saying words. I believe it is something that can give you courage to tackle major difficulties, strength to get over great sorrow, or kindness to look for something you can do for others.

We have heard that you composed “Suite NIPPON”, included in your recently released CD “JAPONISM”, to introduce the beauty of Japan to the world. What kind of message did you wish to transmit through that piece of music?

“Suite NIPPON” expresses the traditional strength of Japan from ancient times. It is composed of two parts. The first half, “HANA”, means flower and the latter half, “MATSURI”, means festival. I tried to describe the quiet Japanese beauty of “HANA”, represented by Kyoto, with its splendid scenery and famous sakura (cherry blossoms). For ‘MATSURI’ I imagined scenes of trains, cars and pedestrians moving vigorously in a city full of skyscrapers. Despite being a piece about the Japanese environment, I am satisfied that it became more powerful as a result of collaborating with artists specialising in typical Japanese musical instruments.

When you released that album in August, you climbed Mount Fuji which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Would you let us know why you chose Fuji-san (Mount Fuji) for that occasion, and how you felt after climbing it?

The director of my office suggested that I should climb Mount Fuji on 21 August - the release day of my new album “JAPONISM” - and send out a live music broadcast from the top of that World Heritage Site. Climbing it was much tougher than I had imagined, but the fields of clouds and the early-morning sunlight I saw from the mountain peak were so impressive that I will never forget that experience.

Confidence has stayed in my heart since I conquered the number one highest mountain in Japan and succeeded in playing music there.

Which places in Japan do you recommend British people to visit?

I recommend Mount Fuji, the night view of Tokyo from the Rainbow Bridge (the bridge over to Odaiba, a bayside part of Tokyo), Tokyo Skytree (the tallest building in Japan at 634m, the second highest in the world, which opened in 2012), traditional temples and shrines, such as Kinkakuji in Kyoto, and the giant Buddha in Todaiji in Nara. I also recommend the islands Yakushima (an island of Kagoshima prefecture, located about 60km south of the Kyushu mainland) and Ishigakijima (a semi-tropical island of Okinawa prefecture, located in the south west of Japan).

You must have experienced the London Olympic and Paralympic Games last year. Now Tokyo is going to host this big event in 2020 giving a great impetus to many people to visit Japan. What expectations do you have for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games?

I know no other giant city in the world that is so beautiful, safe, clean and convenient, and whose people are as sincere as those in Tokyo. I expect the city will become even more beautiful over the next seven years. We Japanese will be welcoming visitors from all over the world with the spirit of “omotenashi” (hospitality) and confidence.

You are going to have a concert in London on 25 November. What message would you like to give British people through that event?

Since I moved to London in 2007, I have done a number of classical concerts in the UK, but this time I am bringing my own popular music style to London for the first time. I have been playing this style for 23 years and over 200000 people have enjoyed it so far in Japan. I would love to introduce “cool” Japanese culture to the UK. Please come and visit the O2 Shepherds Bush Empire to experience my music on 25 November. I would like to celebrate my first world tour with you all. I hope you enjoy it!