named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Artist Residency Program
Residency initiative that brings Japanese composers to New York for performances of their works, including commissions and public forums.
Current Sounds Japan
Concert series showcasing recent works by contemporary Japanese composers, including American and world premieres, often paired with educational lectures and discussions.
Music From Japan Festival
Annual concert series in New York featuring contemporary Japanese music, including curated programs, American and world premieres, and commissioned works by Japanese composers.
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Commissioning New Musical Works 1 activity
- Commissions new musical works from Japanese and American composersCommissions and premieres new compositions by Japanese and American composers as part of its concert and festival programming, with a history of over 100 commissions and 109 world premieres presented since inception.
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Classical and Chamber Music Performances 1 activity
- Organizes and presents concerts of Japanese music in the United StatesProduces and presents concerts featuring contemporary and traditional Japanese music, including world and American premieres, across venues in New York and other locations. These concerts often include works by both Japanese and American composers and are part of ongoing seasonal and festival programming.
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Digital Music and Performance Archiving 1 activity
- Provides public access to performances through live streamingOffers free public access to festival concerts via live streaming, particularly during the pandemic, to broaden audience reach and engagement with Japanese music.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Develops and maintains a Resource Center for Japanese MusicEstablished in 1994, the Resource Center features a custom-designed composer database and a collection of source materials to support research and appreciation of Japanese music.
- Hosts educational forums, lectures, and symposia on Japanese music and cultureSupplements concert programming with educational events including lectures, post-concert forums, and symposia featuring composers, performers, and scholars to provide historical and cultural context for Japanese music. These events are held in partnership with institutions such as the Japan Foundation and Columbia University.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$183K
Contributions & grants$181K99%
Program service revenue$2K1%
Investment income$30%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$205K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$79K
Grants paid out$0
balance sheet
Total assets$174K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$-316K
3 years on record · 2022–2024 · YoY revenue +27.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mari Ono | Vice President/Secretary | 40 | $61K |
| Naoyuki Miura | President/Treasurer | 25 | $6K |
board members · 2
- Joe Oshima — Director
- John Rockwell — Director
relationships · 24
Who they work with
- American Symphony Orchestra Partner — Presented multiple concerts featuring Japanese compositions at Carnegie Hall with the orchestra from 1977 to 1983.
- Columbia University Partner — Hosted a presentation by Yumi Saiki as part of Music From Japan's Festival 2019.
- Dr. Kristina Reiko Cooper Partner — Featured performer and speaker in the Tomojiro Ikenouchi concert, providing personal insights and performing works by Ikenouchi and his pupils.
- Fred Sherry Partner — Moderated a forum with commissioned composers, performers, and a music critic following the final concert.
- George E. Lewis Partner — Moderated the post-concert forum for Current Sounds Japan III.
- Japan Foundation Partner — Hosted Music From Japan's annual symposium during Festival 2019.
- Japan Society of Contemporary Music Government — Recipient of the Gen-On Special Award, indicating recognition and affiliation.
- John Novacek Partner — Pianist who performed works by Tomojiro Ikenouchi and Sadao Bekku in the Festival 2022 concert.
- John Rockwell Partner — Moderated a post-concert Q&A session with composers and performers.
- Koichi Nishi Partner — Curated the concert "Japanese Contemporary Music: Past and Present" and delivered a lecture on the history and current state of Japanese contemporary music.
- Lincoln Center Festival Partner — Collaborated to produce a lecture/demonstration and symposium on Gagaku music in 1996.
- Momenta Quartet Partner — Collaborates with Music From Japan to present concerts featuring commissioned works for string quartet.
- Momenta Quartet Partner — Performed commissioned works by Madoka Mori and Akira Ito at the 2023 festival.
- Music Critics Association of North America Partner — Collaborated with MCANA to bring critics and composers to Japan for concerts and educational events.
- Music From Japan Partner — Organization maintaining the Resource Center for Japanese Music and its composer database
- PayPal Partner — Platform used for processing donations
- Scandinavia House Partner — Co-hosted Festival 2020 events at Volvo Hall/Scandinavia House in New York.
- Scandinavia House Partner — Hosted live-streamed performances for the Music From Japan Festival 2021.
- Scandinavia House Partner — Hosts the MFJ 50th Anniversary Festival at Victor Borge Hall.
- Suntory Arts Foundation Partner — Representative Ryo Sasaki participated in an open forum during Festival 2019.
- The Japan Federation of Composers Partner — Yoshihiro Kanno, Chairman of this organization, was featured as a commissioned composer in the 2023 festival.
- Tokyo Sinfonietta Partner — Performed a concert featuring works by visiting composers and MFJ commissions.
- Yuji Numano Partner — Delivered a lecture on recent trends in Japanese contemporary music during the 2023 festival.
- Zac Zinger Partner — Shakuhachi performer who collaborated with Kristina Reiko Cooper in the performance of Michio Mamiya’s KIO.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Advancing Contemporary Japanese Music via Commissioning and Premiere Programmingmethodology: commissioning-new-worksBy commissioning new works—especially from emerging composers and in response to cultural events—and integrating them into curated concert programs with premieres, the organization advances contemporary Japanese music because sustained investment in living composers strengthens artistic innovation and global relevance.
- Cultural Exchange Through Musical Dialoguemethodology: cultural_exchange_through_musicBy presenting traditional and contemporary Japanese music alongside educational programming and international collaborations, the organization fosters mutual understanding between Japan and the United States because shared artistic experiences create pathways for cross-cultural empathy and learning.
- Integrated Education and Performance Programmingmethodology: integrated_education_performanceBy combining concerts with lectures, forums, and interdisciplinary elements, the organization deepens audience understanding of Japanese music because contextual engagement increases accessibility and meaning-making for non-specialist audiences.