Broadcasting Music Overflowing with Talented Artists' Ideas

This week, we started with a track by Derrick Hodge, the bassist of Robert Glasper Experiment, whose new work is about to be released, featuring MC Common.



A highlight is the complete cover by multi-instrumentalist Shawn Lee, who always entertains us listeners with his interesting ideas. He covered the 1973 album "Bongo Rock" by the Incredible Bongo Band, considered an "eternal classic" in the DJ world, by replacing the bongos with tablas. For this program, we featured a Latin soul cover of "Apache," the lead track of this bold work, by Quantic, a familiar artist on this show, in collaboration with vocalist Alice Russell. Additionally, works by talented artists including Beck graced the night.

Supporting the Growth of Children in Disaster-Stricken Areas, from Ages 0 to 20

With less than a month until the Tokyo Marathon, training is finally entering its final stages. Through this charity project, the valuable funds collected from everyone will be donated to the "Hatachi Fund." This week, continuing from last time, we spoke with Kumi Imamura, the representative director of the "Hatachi Fund," which supports the educational environment for children in disaster-stricken areas.

──Are there any current shortages in your on-site activities?



Children gather from all over this town, which spans about 200 square kilometers. Some children even travel 20 kilometers by bicycle, taking 40 minutes one way. When I think of the children returning home on dark, potholed roads at night, I feel there is still much to be done.

──We hear that there is a shortage of staff?

In Onagawa, Miyagi Prefecture (Kogakukan), we were able to hire 12 people after the earthquake by visiting evacuation centers and searching for cram school teachers and those who could provide academic guidance. Additionally, four staff members and volunteers from Tokyo joined, and we are currently supporting approximately 250 students from elementary to junior high school. However, in Ohtsuchi Town, there are few people who can provide academic guidance, which is a cause for concern. We continue to recruit, but due to the lack of personnel, I am also in charge of classes. Furthermore, even if we want to hire actively, there are, of course, financial limitations. Therefore, volunteers are extremely important supporters.



Since November of last year, it has become difficult to gather donations and volunteers. In Ohtsuchi Town, there are 900 children under junior high school age. A survey of these children revealed that 480 of them wish to attend this after-school program. However, with the current lack of space and personnel, we are only able to accept 80 third-year junior high school students who are preparing for exams. Beyond academic purposes, for children who have lost their parents, simply having a regular place to go has value.

──What are your future goals?

Even before the earthquake, I was working on how to foster "motivation" and "passion" within children, emotional qualities that are said to be lacking in today's youth. I feel that children who have lost their homes and families in this earthquake are now in a state where they can easily ignite. Watching the adults rebuild the town from scratch might also be considered a wonderful educational environment. I sense within them the potential to become "innovators" when they grow up. Therefore, I want to continue to provide them with long-term opportunities for learning and creating their future. And I want to continue these activities until the children can enhance their own abilities and ultimately play an active role in society.

──Thank you very much.

This Week's DJ! Dress Code: "Sportswear"

I will be participating in the release party for "TOKYO NIGHT RUN selected by Shuya Okino (Kyoto Jazz Massive)," a compilation released by the official music label of the Tokyo Marathon, "TOKYO MARATHON MUSIC." It will be three weeks before the main event, and as training will be in its final stages, I plan to participate after challenging myself to a 30km run starting in the morning, so my energy levels should be quite high. The dress code is "sportswear." I plan to play while wearing the gear I use for my regular training. I invite everyone, whether you're a runner, not a runner, or just a little curious, to join us.

Supporting Children in Tohoku Through Running! I, Toshio Matsuura, through JustGiving Japan,Great East Japan Earthquakechallenged the full marathon for the first time in the "Tokyo Marathon 2012" held on February 26th (Sunday) under the title "Run For Children Tohoku" to collect donations for the "Hatachi Fund (The Nippon Foundation)," which provides ongoing psychological care, living support, and educational assistance to help children affected by the disaster and orphaned children overcome hardships and thrive in society. Thanks to your support, I was able to complete the marathon in 4 hours and 25 minutes. Thank you for your cheers. The valuable funds collected from everyone will be properly delivered to benefit the future of children in Tohoku. Although the Tokyo Marathon has ended, the project will continue. We appreciate your continued support. Toshio Matsuura