Past Efforts

Enjoy the Power of Language

Enjoy the Power of Language is a collaborative reading and music event launched by Itochu Enex in 2013 to support those affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake through the power of words. The event is now held nationwide, offering people of all ages the chance to enjoy and experience the true beauty and weight of words as a way of connecting with others.
Former NHK announcer Motoyo Yamane, who retired as an outside director of the company in June 2024, and former TBS announcer Masako Shindo will serve as facilitators and readers at the event. Guests with connections to each venue will be invited each time. The event also serves as a way to revitalize the community, conveying the beauty of local life through unique talks that incorporate local culture and dialects, along with readings by language professionals accompanied by live music and videos.
These events are offered free of charge. In keeping with our commitment to remember the disaster since the event's inception, we ask our guests to make a voluntary donation at the event for the children of Fukushima Prefecture who were orphaned or left behind by the Great East Japan Earthquake, with all donations going to the foundation.

FY2023

March 2, 2024
Ginza Oji Hall, Chuo-ku, Tokyo


【Facilitator-Readers】
  • Motoyo Yamane (announcer)
  • Masako Shindo (announcer)
  •   
【Guest Reader】
  • Tadahiko Sako (announcer and film director)
  •   
【Music】
  • Toshiaki Iida (composer, arranger, and piano)
  • Chiharu Miki (cello)
  • Hijiri Kuwano (violin)
  •   

Motoyo Yamane, a former NHK announcer who appeared at the first reading and is now an outside director of Itochu Enex, read from Millie's Marvellous Hat by Satoshi Kitamura and Tadokoro-san by Banana Yoshimoto, and Masako Shindo, a former TBS announcer, read from Ten Dreaming Nights by Natsume Soseki. We also welcomed Tadahiko Sako, a former TBS announcer and now a documentary film director, who read from The Town I Saw at the End by Taichi Yamada.

September 3, 2023
Shirakawa Hall, Nagoya-shi, Aichi


【Facilitator-Readers 】
  • Motoyo Yamane (announcer)
  • Masako Shindo (announcer)
  •   
【Guest Reader】
  • Yoshinori Shimizu (author)
  •   
【Music】
  • Toshiaki Iida (composer, arranger, and piano)
  • Kirin Uchida (cello)
  • Hijiri Kuwano (violin)
  •   

Motoyo Yamane read Uso by Nankichi Niimi, while Masako Shindo read Hebi by Naoki Prize-winning author Kanako Nishi. We also welcomed Nagoya-born author Yoshinori Shimizu, who read from his own work, Soba and Kishimen, as our guest.

FY2022

January 29, 2023
Ginza Oji Hall, Chuo-ku, Tokyo


【Facilitator-Readers】
  • Motoyo Yamane (announcer)
  • Masako Shindo (announcer)
  •   
【Guest Reader 】
  • Misako Konno (actor)
  •   
【Music】
  • Toshiaki Iida (composer, arranger, and piano)
  • Chiharu Miki (cello)
  • Akatsuki Takahashi (violin)
  •   

For the 14th reading, Motoyo Yamane read the immortal masterpiece The Little Mermaid (by Andersen), beautifully illustrated by Chihiro Iwasaki, and Yane no ue no Sawan (by Masuji Ibuse), a well-known work of high literary merit. Masako Shindo also read Curry Rice (by Kiyoshi Shigematsu), which was featured in a Japanese language textbook and humorously depicts the struggles and growth of a young boy. The guest this time was Misako Konno, who is active as an actor on TV and in many other fields. She read from Midori-iro no Kioku (by Atsuko Asano), a story of adolescent aspirations and memories of love. Music was offered by composer Toshiaki Iida on piano, Chiharu Miki on cello, and Akatsuki Takahashi on violin, inviting the audience into the world of the story.
The event was streamed on the official YouTube page for a limited time, allowing those who could not attend the event to enjoy it at home.

September 4, 2022
Muramatsu Recital Hall Shin-Osaka,
Osaka-shi, Osaka


【Facilitator-Readers】
  • Motoyo Yamane (announcer)
  • Masako Shindo (announcer)
  •   
【Guest Reader 】
  • Nobuo Murakami (announcer)
  •   
【Music】
  • Toshiaki Iida (composer, arranger, and piano)
  • Chiharu Miki (cello)
  • Kofu Suwa (guitar))

This was the 13th such event, and we selected stories to share with elementary school-age children and older. Motoyo Yamane read from The Dream I Found on London Bridge (by Takako Kayama) with beautiful paper cutouts by Seiji Fujishiro, a Ukrainian folk tale Straw Cattle (by Risako Uchida), and Letters from Mado-san to the Children (by Michio Mado), a message to children who will shape the future. Masako Shindo read LIFE (by Shigenori Kusunoki), a warm story about a chain of kindness among people, and Tenma no Torayan (by Kenzo Nakagawa), a story set in Osaka, the venue of this event and Shindo's hometown, in her Osaka dialect. NHK announcer Nobuo Murakami was also invited as a guest and gave a magnificent reading of The Life of the Forest (by Takuya Kodera), which conveys the depth of nature and the preciousness of life. The performance featured composer and arranger Toshiaki Iida on piano, pianica, and andes, Chiharu Miki on cello, and Kofu Suwa on acoustic guitar, expanding the world of the story with a variety of musical styles.
The event was streamed on the official YouTube page for a limited time, allowing those who could not attend the event to enjoy it at home.

FY2021

January 29, 2022
Ginza Oji Hall, Chuo-ku, Tokyo


【Facilitator-Readers】
  • Motoyo Yamane (announcer)
  • Masako Shindo (announcer)
  •   
【Guest Reader】
  • Chikara Iwamura (conductor)
  •   
【Music】
  • Toshiaki Iida (composer, arranger, and piano)
  • Chiharu Miki (cello)
  • Akatsuki Takahashi (violin)
  •   

As it was held during the COVID-19 pandemic, the theme of the 12th event was "storytelling that connects minds," and shares the beauty and influence of words themselves, which is a method for connection that we should value during the pandemic. Motoyo Yamane read The bears of Mt.Nametoko by Kenji Miyazawa, and Masako Shindo read "Namae" from Mitsuyo Kakuta's short story collection, Presents. As a guest, we welcomed Mr. Chikara Iwamura, an active conductor. He read a selection from "Music Was There," a nonfiction work about musicians who faced a severe environment following the Great East Japan Earthquake, which was also the impetus for Enjoy the Power of Language. The musical performance included original compositions that vividly evoked scenes from the stories, as well as familiar music, lyrically enhancing the storytelling that connects our hearts.
Admission was limited to one-third of the venue's capacity, and for the first time, the event was live-streamed on YouTube for those unable to attend in person.

FY2020

The venue had been closed since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Instead, we edited excerpts from past Enjoy the Power of Language readings and made them available on our website for a limited time.

FY2019

January 25, 2020
Ginza Oji Hall, Chuo-ku, Tokyo


【Facilitator-Readers】
  • Motoyo Yamane (announcer)
  • Masako Shindo (announcer)
  •   
【Guest Reader】
  • Shoji Kokami (writer and director)
  •   
【Music】
  • Toshiaki Iida (composer, arranger, and piano)
  • Chiharu Miki (cello)
  • Dan Takagi (violin)

The theme for the 11th session was "Romance and Love: Reading the Subtlety of the Heart." Musical performances were led by Motoyo Yamane and Masako Shindo. The guest was playwright and director Shoji Kokami, who read from his book Romeo and Rosaline. Music was performed by Toshiaki Iida (piano), Dan Takagi (violin), and Chiharu Tomita (cello), creating a lyrical musical accompaniment to storytelling that connected with the hearts of the audience. The performers chose a poem from the Manyoshu that was associated with love, and Ms. Iida improvised on the piano to accompany her reading, making for an elaborate and enjoyable event.

September 28, 2019
Gewand Halle, Hiroshima-shi,
Hiroshima


【Facilitator-Readers】
  • Motoyo Yamane (announcer)
  • Masako Shindo (announcer)
  •   
【Guest Reader】
  • Arthur Binard (poet)
  •   
【Music】
  • Nobuyuki Seto (clarinet)
  • Tadashi Harada (accordion)
  • Takashi Tajima (tambourines)

The theme for this event was "Tales to be Told." The guest performers included Motoyo Yamane and Masako Shindo, as well as American poet Arthur Binard (resident of Hiroshima Prefecture), who also appeared at the Enjoy the Power of Language event in January. Arthur performed his own short stories and his latest kamishibai (traditional picture-story show), reading a total of six pieces, including a story about the atomic bombing and a story about the bond between parents and children. Other performances included clarinet, accordion, and tambourines, which combined to create a storytelling performance that connected with the audience's hearts.
*At the venue, we asked for voluntary donations for the recovery from the torrential rainstorm that hit western Japan this year and to support the victims of Typhoon Faxai. All donations collected from the audience at the event were donated through Japan Platform.

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.

FY2017

January 28, 2018
Iino Hall, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo


【Facilitator-Readers】
  • Motoyo Yamane (announcer)
  • Masako Shindo (announcer)
  •   
【Guest Reader】
  • Akira Sakata (Jazz Saxophonist)
  •   
【Music】
  • Toshiaki Iida (composer and arranger)
  • Ryoko Takita (piano)
  • Chiharu Miki (cello)
  • Akiko Shibata (whistle)

The theme for this event was "Family, Hometown, and Freedom." Motoyo Yamane recited the words to "Akatombo" (a children's song) and read Yodaka no Hoshi (by Kenji Miyazawa), while Masako Shindo read Pictures (by Mitsuyo Kakuta). Akira Sakata, one of Japan's leading jazz saxophonists, was also invited as a guest. He read from an essay he authored entitled "Furo ha Arigatai." Though it was his first time performing a public reading, his simple and profound voice, combined with his quiet yet powerful improvisation on saxophone alongside Motoyo Yamane's reading of "Akatombo," resonated deeply with the audience.

December 2, 2017
Elgala Hall, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka


【Facilitator】
  • Jun Noguchi (narrator)
  •   
【Readers】
  • Motoyo Yamane (announcer)
  • Masako Shindo (announcer)
  •  
【Music】
  • pepe Ito (guitarist and singer)
  •  

The Fukuoka event featured a wide variety of artists, including Motoyo Yamane, Masako Shindo, picture book author Koutaku Yoshinaga, and others, and it attracted many visitors from the local community. For the first time, a live painting workshop was held as a pre-event. Many local children enjoyed participating in the event. During the reading, the children were very excited about Yoshinaga's work, Kyushoku Bancho. The music was performed by guitarist pepe Ito. The unique musical reading of the picture book Zo no Buttons (by Noriko Ueno), which had no words, was performed with narrator Jun Noguchi and brought many laughs to the reading session.

FY2016

January 28, 2017
Oji Hall, Chuo-ku, Tokyo


【Facilitator-Readers】
  • Motoyo Yamane (announcer)
  • Masako Shindo (announcer)
  •   
【Guest Reader】
  • Sadatomo Matsudaira (announcer)
  •   
【Music】
  • Toshiaki Iida (composer, arranger, and piano)
  • Chiharu Tomita (cello)

We began to include readings and discussions of novels and essays, starting with the fifth event in 2017. Unlike the previous four events, the reading session was more relaxed for junior high school students and older. This event welcomed guests Motoyo Yamane and Masako Shindo, as well as former NHK announcer Sadatomo Matsudaira, who read from Semishigure, one of Shuhei Fujisawa's most famous works.

December 17, 2016
Ishikawa Prefectural Center for Women,
Kanazawa-Shi, Ishikawa


【Facilitator-Readers】
  • Motoyo Yamane (announcer)
  • Masako Shindo (announcer)
  •   
【Guest Reader】
  • Kozue Torige (shadow puppeteer)
  •   
【Music】
  • Reisiu Sakai (singer)
  • Nobuyuki Seto (clarinet)
  • Yoshito Kumasaka (contrabass)

At the 4th event, held in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa, Kozue Torige offered a performance. She is from Ningyogekiya-san, a troupe that performs picture book readings and puppet shows in Ishikawa Prefecture. Motoyo Yamane read from Mominoki Sonomi wo Kazari Nasai (by Taro Gomi), Tomte (by Rydberg), Kumo no Ito (by Ryunosuke Akutagawa), and Gon,the little fox (by Nankichi Niimi). Masako Shindo read Ichiban Chiisai Tonakai (by Michael Foreman), The Velveteen Rabbit (by Margery W. Bianco), and Taiyo to Kawazu (by Mimei Ogawa). In addition, shadow puppets by Ningyogekiya-san and poetry readings by local children added a brightness to the venue. Reisiu Sakai and the Royal Huntings performed the picture book Yugure (by Uri Shulevitz) with chanting and music, making it a fantastic party like never before.

FY2015

January 30, 2016
Oji Hall, Chuo-ku, Tokyo


【Facilitator-Readers】
  • Motoyo Yamane (announcer)
  • Masako Shindo (announcer)
  •   
【Guest Reader】
  • Masako Konno (storyteller)
  • Ryoichi Wago (Poet)
  •   
【Music】
<Wind Groove>
  • Kofu Suwa (guitar)
  • Bruce Huebner (shakuhachi)
  • Christopher Hardy (percussion)

The third event was held in Tokyo for the first time. Masako Konno, a storyteller from Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima, affectionately known as "Masako Baba" by the children, shared stories of the old days with children who had evacuated to Tokyo, based on the accounts of more than 100 elderly people.
Poet Ryoichi Wago also read from his masterpieces "Determination" and "Ask the Tree" and gave a creative kagura performance to pray for the repose and rebirth of the souls of the Tohoku region.

FY2014

November 15, 2014
Taihaku Ward Cultural Center,
Sendai-Shi, Miyagi


【Facilitator-Readers】
  • Motoyo Yamane (announcer)
  • Toshio Machinaga (journalist)
  •   
【Guest Reader】
  • Masako Shindo (announcer)
  • Hitoko Yamada
  • Nobuyoshi Ukai
【Music】
  • Yoko Kanno (piano)

The second event was held in Sendai. Nobuyoshi Ukai, a representative of Yamagakko, a weekly picture book reading and storytelling group at the library, was invited to read a picture book in which only the sounds "ru" and "n" are used in a very expressive manner, which excited the audience. The audience was also absorbed into the world of Grimm's fairy tale "Rapunzel," as read by Hitoko Yamada, representative of Ohanashi Tentomushi. This group tells stories (fairy tales) by memory.

FY2013

March 21, 2014
Hachinohe City Public Hall,
Hachinohe-shi, Aomori


【Facilitator】
 
  • Toshio Machinaga (journalist)
  •  
【Readers】
  • Motoyo Yamane (announcer)
  • Miho Nakai (announcer)

【Guest Reader】
 
  • Morino Otogi-kai (reading group)

The Enjoy the Power of Language event began in Hachinohe City, Aomori, surrounded by snow.
Toshio Machinaga, an active journalist, was asked to be the MC, and former announcers Motoyo Yamane and Miho Nakai were asked to do the reading. In addition, children who attend the Morino Otogi-kai, a reading group that has a tradition of over 100 years in the area, performed a heartfelt rendition in the southern dialect of an old tale that has been passed down from generation to generation in Hachinohe.

 

Dealing with the COVID-19 coronavirus

・ Support for Healthcare Professionals

In collaboration with COSMOS INITIA Co., Ltd., we provided free lodging facilities to medical institutions, including those designated infectious disease facilities, in Tokyo for all working healthcare professionals.

・ Donations made by all board members and employees to healthcare providers

Donations were collected from employees and board members and given to the Japanese Red Cross Society and the Nursing Now Campaign, a global campaign to improve the status and performance of the nursing profession.

・ Nissan Osaka Sales Co., Ltd. donated electric vehicles to Osaka Prefecture

Nissan Osaka Sales Co., Ltd., a Group company that has concluded a comprehensive cooperation agreement with Osaka Prefecture, has donated an electric car to Osaka Prefecture as an official vehicle for transporting medical supplies to facilities that care for people with mild symptoms of COVID-19.

・ Videos from "Enjoy the Power of Words", with illustrations

In addition to donating face masks to medical facilities and nursery schools in each region, we also released videos from Enjoy the Power of Words readings and music sessions that we have hosted for parents and children at home, as we have been asked to refrain from leaving home.

 

Family Day

Once a year, we hold a Family Day for our group employees to come to work with their children to give them a chance to experience the company. It is an activity that nurtures the next generation, enabling participating children to enjoy learning about the role of the company by exchanging business cards with the president and employees, touring offices and meeting rooms, and other activities.Due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, we created an online tour video of the workplace for mothers and fathers and a company profile video for children, which was enjoyed by the children of employees throughout Japan.