FY2018

January 27, 2019
Ginza Oji Hall, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

【Facilitator-Readers】	Motoyo Yamane (announcer) Masako Shindo (announcer)
【Guest Reader】	Arthur Binard (poet)
【Music】	Toshiaki Iida (composer, arranger, and piano) Chiharu Miki (cello) Dan Takagi (violin)

The theme for this event was "Reading Life." Arthur Binard, a poet from the U.S. who lives in Hiroshima, was invited as a guest. Arthur read from his short stories, including "Fishing Up" (which won the Nakaya Nakahara Award), and shared episodes from his creative process, including the story of how he was able to express his father's death only because he wrote in Japanese rather than his native tongue. Original music composed by musician Toshiaki Iida accompanied the readings of novels and essays, coloring the worlds of the various works.

September 30, 2018
Fukinotou Hall, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaodo

【Facilitator-Readers】	Motoyo Yamane (announcer) Masako Shindo (announcer)
【Guest Reader】	Mina Sakai (singer)
【Music】	Toshiaki Iida (composer, arranger, and piano) Chiharu Miki (cello)

The Hokkaido earthquake occurred just before the event, and we were pleased to share the power of language with the many visitors at the Sapporo event! Our guest was singer Mina Sakai, who has Ainu roots. During her reading, she performed Ainu Shinto songs, and Motoyo Yamane introduced Ainu culture and dance during her talk. She spoke of the importance of living as someone who respects all traditions, regardless of one's roots.
*We asked for voluntary donations to support the areas affected by the Hokkaido Eastern Iburi Earthquake. All donations collected from guests at the event were donated to the Hokkaido Branch of the Japanese Red Cross Society.