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Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan

“We will never forget that day. We will keep moving forward.”

In order to remember the Great East Japan Earthquake, to preserve the memories of suffering, sacrifice, and courage, and to pass those stories on to the next generation, we held a concert last year to mark 10 years since the disaster. The theme of the event was, “We will never forget that day. We will keep moving forward.” With these words in mind, Seiko will continue to use the power of song to expand the bonds of wa (circle and harmony) that connect hearts and minds during the ongoing period of reconstruction.

News

February 10, 2022

Updated “About the concert” information

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About the concert

What is the Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan? Since the Great East Japan Earthquake, Seiko has been holding the Sound of “Wa” Concert in three prefectures of the Tohoku region and in Tokyo. As the Seiko Group has manufacturing bases in Iwate Prefecture (Morioka and Tono cities), Miyagi Prefecture (Sendai city) and Fukushima Prefecture (Koriyama city), the company has deep, longstanding ties with the Tohoku region. The indefinable term Wa in the title embraces various themes: a “circle” of support for reconstruction activities, a “circle” symbolizing the joined hands of those who suffered in the disaster and their supporters, a “circle” of dreams and aspirations for the future, a spirit of “harmony” that fosters togetherness of people working to rebuild, the “essence” of a vibrant Japan, as well as a strong desire to strengthen bonds of “harmony” between people. In the immediate aftermath of the earthquake the concert represented an opportunity for people to show support for disaster victims, but today it serves as a stage for victims to participate and to express their desire for reconstruction and their hopes for a better tomorrow. We will continue to send out messages from Tohoku and Tokyo to bring smiles to the faces of everyone involved.

2023 Activities

This year’s theme "Spreading Smiles"

The Tokyo performance this year is dedicated to the theme of "Spreading Smiles." Thirteen years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami disaster. Now, a younger generation is not even familiar with those events, so we have decided to use music to connect them with the wonderful, uplifting feelings created in that reconstruction time. This concert will emphasize the importance of smiles in helping us all to be more positive in our outlook, regardless of circumstances.

A large monitor has been installed in the show window of SEIKO HOUSE. In addition to videos reviewing the history of the concert, on the day of the event, scenes from the venue will be broadcast live.

From March 4th to 11th, a large monitor will be set up in Seiko House, showcasing videos that highlight the history of the concert, which has been held 45 times since 2011. On March 10th, the Tokyo International Forum concert will be broadcast live starting from 6:00 PM Japan time. On the following day, at 2:46 PM, the exact time of the earthquake, the "Bell of Hope for the Future" on top of the Seiko House will ring.

Display photo at SEIKO HOUSE

Information about the Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan in FY 2023

Date Title Place Venue Guests
March 10, 2024 Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan 2024 in Tokyo Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo Tokyo International Forum Hall A Yukari Ito
Ken Matsudaira
Ryoko Moriyama
Junko Yagami
TOKYO CITY PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
etc.

Message from the Executive Committee Chairman

Message from the Executive Committee Chairman

Shinji Hattori, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan

Thirteen years have passed since the disaster, but we cannot forget the events of that day. The Seiko Group has been proud to work together with the late maestro Norio Maeda (who died in 2018) to hold a series of celebratory concerts in various places, beginning right after the earthquake. This year’s concert in Tokyo marks the 46th event in that series. We are always grateful for the participation of a variety of top-class artists, and for the bonds of “wa” (harmony) that continue to deepen as a result of these performances.
Music possesses a mysterious power—an ability to heal and uplift people. Through the power of music, we will continue to deepen the bonds that connect us and the smiles that inspire us. With the slogan, "Never forget that time, and keep moving forward," Seiko will continue this series of East Japan support concerts. We sincerely ask for your ongoing support.

History of Seiko’s Activities

FY 2023

“Wa” On Stage: East Japan Support Concert 2023 in Tohoku

The concert was held on September 23, 2023 in Tono City, Iwate Prefecture, on October 1st in Iwanuma City, Miyagi Prefecture, and on October 8th in Soma City, in Fukushima Prefecture.

“Wa” On Stage: East Japan Support Concert 2023 in Tohoku
“Wa” On Stage: East Japan Support Concert 2023 in Tohoku
“Wa” On Stage: East Japan Support Concert 2023 in Tohoku

FY 2022

Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan in a Spirit of Harmony 2022 in Tohoku

The Tohoku version of the Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan was held in Yamada Town, Iwate Prefecture on September 4, 2022; in Shinchi Town, Fukushima Prefecture on September 23; and in Shichigahama Town, Miyagi Prefecture on October 2. Each local event marked the first time in three years for this concert to be held as a live performance. The event in Shinchi Town marked the 40th time in total that this concert was held.

Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan in a Spirit of Harmony 2022 in Yamada
Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan in a Spirit of Harmony 2022 in Shinchi
Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan in a Spirit of Harmony 2022 in Shichigahama

FY 2022 Archives

FY 2021

Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan in a Spirit of Harmony 2022 in Tokyo

The 2022 Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan was held at Shibuya Bunkamura Orchard Hall in Tokyo. It was the first time in three years for the concert to be held in front of a live audience, although seating was limited due to COVID concerns.

March 2022, SEIKO HOUSE Window Display

©Naoya Ochiai

March 2022, Bunkamura Orchard Hall in Shibuya
March 2022, Bunkamura Orchard Hall in Shibuya

FY 2021 Archives

FY 2020

Visiting Minamisanriku Town to Pay Respects, Miyagi Prefecture

In 2015, the Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan in a Spirit of Harmony was held in Minamisanriku Town. In the concert, local children enthusiastically played stringed instruments called sanshin (an Okinawan version of the traditional samisen). They learned this instrument from members of the Self-Defense Force who came all the way from Okinawa to support the town’s rebuilding efforts. Shinji Hattori, CEO of Seiko Group Corporation and the chairman of the organizing committee, once again toured the surrounding area and saw the state of recovery for himself.

Minamisanriku Town
Minamisanriku Town
Minamisanriku Town

Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan in a Spirit of Harmony 2020 in Tokyo

On October 5, 2020, the Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan in a Spirit of Harmony 2020 in Tokyo, which had been postponed due to COVID-19, was held at Orchard Hall in Tokyo. Although there was no audience, the livestream event brought the power of the music to people throughout Japan.

October 5, 2020 Orchard Hall
October 5, 2020 Orchard Hall
October 5, 2020 Orchard Hall

Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan 2021 in Nippon Budokan – 10 years after the disaster

March 11, 2021 marked 10 years since that fateful day. To recognize this milestone, we held the Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan 2021 in the enormous Nippon Budokan to further spread the Wa of hope for reconstruction, and to unleash the power of music to heal and to bring people together.

2021年3月11日 Nippon Budokan
2021年3月11日 Nippon Budokan
2021年3月11日 Nippon Budokan
2021年3月11日 Nippon Budokan
2021年3月11日 Nippon Budokan

FY 2020 Archives

FY 2019

Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan in a Spirit of Harmony 2019 in Tohoku

The “Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan in a Spirit of Harmony 2019 in Tohoku” was held on September 8, 2019, in Matsushima Town, Miyagi Prefecture, on September 22, in Soma City, Fukushima Prefecture, and, on October 5, in Tono City, Iwate Prefecture. The concert held in Tono City was the 35th in total.

September 8, 2019, in Matsushima
September 22, 2019, in Soma
October 5, 2019, in Tono

FY 2019 Archives

FY 2018

Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan in a Spirit of Harmony 2018 in Tohoku

The “Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan in a Spirit of Harmony 2018 in Tohoku” was held on July 15, 2018, in Kamaishi City, Iwate Prefecture, on August 26 in Kitakata City, Fukushima Prefecture, and on October 27 in Tagajo City, Miyagi Prefecture. This concert was held in Kitakata City and was the 30th in total.

2018 July 15 Kamaishi City, Iwate Prefecture
2018 August 26 Kitakata City, Fukushima Prefecture
2018 October 27 Tagajo City, Miyagi Prefecture

Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan in a Spirit of Harmony 2019 in Tokyo

The “Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan in a Spirit of Harmony 2019 in Tokyo” was held on March 11, 2019, 8 years after the Great East Japan Earthquake, at Bunkamura Orchard Hall in Shibuya.
“Through the power of music, we want to restore “the sense of the ordinary ” that was lost after the disaster.” The artists who identified with these words sang in voices that reflected their emotions towards people in the affected areas.

2019 Guest of the concert observing silent prayers for the Memorial Bell
2019 March 11 Bunkamura Orchard Hall in Shibuya

FY 2018 Archives

FY 2017

Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan in a Spirit of Harmony 2017 in Tohoku

The “Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan in a Spirit of Harmony 2017 in Tohoku” was held on July 8, 2017 in Shiogama City, Miyagi Prefecture, on July 23 in Sukagawa City, Fukushima Prefecture, and on September 24 in Rikuzentakata City, Iwate Prefecture.

2017 July 8 Shiogama City, Miyagi Prefecture
2017 July 23 Sukagawa City, Fukushima Prefecture
2017 September 24 Rikuzentakata City, Iwate Prefecture

Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan in a Spirit of Harmony 2018 in Tokyo

Seven years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake. The “Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan in a Spirit of Harmony 2018 in Tokyo” was held on March 12, 2018, at Bunkamura Orchard Hall in Shibuya.
The stage was decorated with about 600 hope-filled “Cherry Blossoms Cards” from the whole country, expressing hopes for reconstruction, and bringing to the venue the voices of disaster victims and supporters.

2018 March 12  Bunkamura Orchard Hall in Shibuya
2018 Wako's store-front window

FY 2017 Archives

FY 2016

Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan in a Spirit of Harmony 2016 in Tohoku

The “Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan in a Spirit of Harmony 2016 in Tohoku” was held on July 24, 2016, in Kuji City, Iwate Prefecture, on August 21 in Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture, and on September 19, in Higashimatsushima City, Miyagi Prefecture.

2016 July 24 Kuji City, Iwate Prefecture
2016 August 21 Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture
2016 August 21 Guest of the concert in Aizuwakamatsu town writing their message in the card.

Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan in a Spirit of Harmony 2017 in Tokyo

The “Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan in a Spirit of Harmony 2017 in Tokyo” was held on March 11, 2017, 6 years after the Great East Japan Earthquake, at Bunkamura Orchard Hall in Shibuya.
This edition of the reconstruction-supporting concert, held in the stricken areas and in Tokyo since immediately after the earthquake, marked the 24th staging of the concert. Over 2,000 people, ranging from elementary school students to the elderly, gathered at the venue to wish a prompt recovery in the affected areas.

2017 March 11 Bunkamura Orchard Hall in Shibuya
2017 Wako's store-front window

FY 2016 Archives

FY 2015

Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan in a Spirit of Harmony 2015 in Tohoku

The “Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan in a Spirit of Harmony 2015 in Tohoku” was held on September 5, 2015, in Minamisanriku, Miyagi Prefecture, on September 22, in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, and, on October 12, in Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture.

2015 September 5 Minamisanriku, Miyagi Prefecture
2015 September 22  Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture
2015 September 22 Guest of the concert in Iwaki town writing their message in the card.

Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan in a Spirit of Harmony 2016 in Tokyo

The “Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan in a Spirit of Harmony 2016 in Tokyo” was held on March 11, 2016, 5 years after the Great East Japan Earthquake, at Bunkyo Civic Hall.
This edition of the concert, which represents an opportunity to unite in spirit residents in disaster-stricken areas with their supporters through the power of music, marked the 20th staging of this concert.

2016 March 11  Bunkyo Civic Hall
2016 Wako's store-front window

FY 2015 Archives

FY 2014

Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan in a Spirit of Harmony 2014 in Tohoku

The “Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan in a Spirit of Harmony 2014 in Tohoku” was held on July 19, 2014, in Natori City, Miyagi Prefecture, on July 20 in Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture, on August 5 in Kitakami City, Iwate Prefecture, on August 9 in Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture, and on September 13 in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture.

2014 July 20 Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture
2014 August 5 Kitakami City, Iwate Prefecture
2014 September 13 Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture

Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan in a Spirit of Harmony 2015 in Tokyo

The “Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan in a Spirit of Harmony 2015 in Tokyo” was held on March 11, 2015, 4 years after the Great East Japan Earthquake, at Hibiya Public Hall.
People in the affected areas were asked to write their thoughts on 2015 headbands inscribed with the word “Wa” and supporters were asked to write words of encouragement next to them: the headbands were later displayed on stage and in the Ginza/Wako's store-front window.

2015 March 11 Hibiya Public Hall
2015 Wako's store-front window

FY 2014 Archives

FY 2013

Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan in a Spirit of Harmony 2013 in Tohoku

In September 2013, with the goal of further expanding the circle of support activities, we set up an executive committee for a series of concerts titled “Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan in a Spirit of Harmony.”
Soon after, the “Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan in a Spirit of Harmony in Tohoku” was held on September 7 in Ichinoseki City, Iwate Prefecture, on September 8 in Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture, on September 13, in Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture, on September 14 in Minamisoma City, Fukushima Prefecture, on September 16 in Watari Town, Miyagi Prefecture, and on March 23 in Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture.

2013 September 9 Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture
2013 September 14 Minamisoma City, Fukushima Prefecture
2013 September Watari Town, Miyagi Prefecture

Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan in a Spirit of Harmony 2014 in Tokyo

On March 11, 2014, 3 years after the Great East Japan Earthquake, as an opportunity to unite in spirit, not just people within the disaster areas, but also people from the disaster areas with their supporters, the concert that until then had been held in the disaster areas, was held for the first time in Tokyo (at the Nippon Seinenkan).

2014 March 11 Nippon Seinenkan
2014 March 11 Nippon Seinenkan

FY 2013 Archives

FY 2012

2012 Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture
2012 Happy Big-catch Flags Concert

On May 27, 2012 the “Happy Big-catch Flags Concert” was held in Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture.
About 100 “Happy Big-catch Flags” with messages for people in the affected areas were presented to fishermen in the Miyako region.

FY 2011

2011.08: Tohoku Tour-
2011.08: Tohoku Tour- included a performance on a piano partially damaged in the disaster
2011.11: Donated metronomes to elementary and junior high schools in the Tohoku region
2011.11: Donated metronomes to elementary and junior high schools in the Tohoku region

In 2011, when the Great East Japan Earthquake struck, Seiko celebrated its 130th anniversary. All the various commemorative events were canceled and in their place we launched the “Seiko 130 Actions” campaign with the goal of completing over 130 reconstruction-supporting projects in the three years following the earthquake.
As a result of the combined efforts by our company (which included decontamination work in the stricken areas, the cleaning of photographs washed away by the tsunami, donation activities and shipping of daily necessities) and the actions of volunteer groups and individuals, the total number of projects reached 138 in three years.
As part of these activities, in addition to offering material support, the desire to be close in spirit to people in the affected areas through the power of music led us first to cooperate with Norio Maeda’s “Norio Maeda Concert KIZUNA” (held in Kitakata City, Fukushima Prefecture, on August 22, 2011, and in Ichinoseki City, Iwate Prefecture, on August 23) and then to launch the “Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan in a Spirit of Harmony.”

2011.05: Donated 100 watches to the disaster areas
2011.05: Donated 100 watches to the disaster areas

Record of Activities

Seiko has been holding the “Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan in a Spirit of Harmony” in 3 prefectures of the Tohoku region since the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, and in Tokyo since 2014.

Click 〇on the map to view past concerts.

Click the button below the map to view past concerts.

Record ofactivities map Record ofactivities map

FY 2011

FY 2012

FY 2013

FY 2014

FY 2015

FY 2016

FY 2017

FY 2018

FY 2019

FY 2020

FY 2022

Participants' Voices

Presenting the voices of all those who participated in “Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan in a Spirit of Harmony” You can select voices by prefecture.

“Wa” bulletin board

Here you can read articles on the “Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan in a Spirit of Harmony” and on the three prefectures of the Tohoku region after the earthquake.

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  • “Wa” bulletin board

2011.8.22/Kitakata: Playing on a piano damaged in the disaster

August 23, 2011/Ichinoseki: Norio Maeda’s Charity Concert

2012.5.27/Miyako: Happy Big-catch Flags Concert

2013.9.7/Senmaya: The 1st “Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan in a Spirit of Harmony” is held

2013.9.8/Miyako: Musical collaboration between Machiko Watanabe and local bands

2013.9.13/Fukushima: Song and powerful dance performance by local band “Benkei to Ushiwakamaru”

2013.9.14/Minamisoma: Musical by TCP Conservatoire

2013.9.16/Watari: Kozue Saito singing with local residents

2013.9.23/Kesennuma: Musical collaboration between Lampshade and Norio Maeda

2014.3.11/Tokyo: The “Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan in a Spirit of Harmony” is held in Tokyo for the first time

2014.7.19/Natori: Hiromi Ota stirring the venue with funny anecdotes

2014.7.20/Nihonmatsu: Hiromi Ota performing with local residents

2014.8.5/Kitakami: Singing “Ue wo muite arukou” with the entire audience

2014.8.9/Ofunato: “Ano kane wo narasu no wa anata” by the Ofunato Choir

2014.09.13/Ishinomaki: “Tequila” by the Ishinomaki City Hebita Junior High School Brass Band stirs up the audience!

2015.3.11/Tokyo: Seiko corporate song sung by the all-employee Always 4-chome Choir and by Concert Executive Committee Chairman Shinji Hattori

2015.9.5/Minamisanriku: Concert ends with choral performance by all artists

2015.9.22/Iwaki: Powerful performance of “Sunshine Marines” by members of the Nishiki Elementary School Brass Band

2015.10.12/Miyako: Nine schools (5 elementary schools and 4 high schools), participate in the concert, the highest number ever

2016.3.11/Tokyo: Members of Circus show off their beautiful harmonies

2016.7.24/Kuji: Norio Maeda conducting local vocal group Kohaku Echo

2016.8.21/Aizu Wakamatsu: An intangible folk cultural asset “Kumagawa Chigo Shishimai” performed by the members of Kumagawa Shishimai Preservation Society

2016.9.19/Higashi Matsushima: Seiko Clock Inc. (now Seiko Time Creation, Inc.) disaster prevention clocks given to 5 people by lottery

2017.3.11/Tokyo: Final number with all performers singing “Ue wo muite arukou”

2017.7.8/Shiogama: 25th staging of the concert Mayor Sato of Shiogama City joined in to sing “Hana wa saku” in the final number

2017.7.23/Sukagawa: The stage curtains raised at the powerful sound of traditional Taimatsu drums skillfully played by the “Taimatsu Taiko Kowaka-kumi Senior Team.”

2017.9.24/Rikuzentakata: The concert ends with Tsubasa Wo Kudasai” sung together by the audience and all the performers

2018.3.12 Tokyo: Naoko Terai, a jazz violinist, performed passionate renditions of “Autumn Leaves” and “Spain.”

2018.7.15/Kamaishi: Norio Maeda shone in yet another wonderful performance with a local band

2018.8.26/Kitakata: Everyone in the audience held hands with their neighbors while listening to the music, turning the whole venue into a celebration of “Wa.”

2018.10.27/Tagajo: More than 100 local junior and senior high school students regaling the audience with wonderful performances

2019.3.11/Tokyo: All performers sang “Ano subarashii ai wo mou ichido” arranged by Katsuhisa Hattori.

2019.9.8/Matsushima: Members of Umiumi & Hula Honi Ke Aloha brought the stage to life with their Hawaiian and hula dances.

2019.9.22/Soma: Spectators came to the stage and sang the Beatles’ “Hey Jude” in a grand chorus.

2019.10.5/Tono: Metronomes were donated to the local schools.

2020.9.2/Minamisanriku: The concert was scheduled to take place at three venues in the Tohoku region. Unfortunately, due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic, it was necessary to postpone event until next year.
On September 2, 2020, Shinji Hattori, CEO of Seiko Group Corporation and the chairman of the organizing committee, visited Minamisanriku Town in Miyagi Prefecture to see the progress of reconstruction for himself.

2020.10.5/Tokyo: The concert was postponed due to concerns about COVID-19, but it was held later without an audience as a live-streaming event.