A Song Like a Long Sigh

"kizunaworld.org" was initiated by Ryuichi Sakamoto and Tomoyasu Hirano. Under the concept of "doing everything one can as an individual," the project widely collects and offers works by artists from Japan and abroad who support the initiative, soliciting donations. The activities have now spanned over a year, and the project continues to provide ongoing support into its second year and beyond, connecting individual sentiments.

The 20th work is a song jointly produced by Keigo Oyamada, known as Cornelius, and Ryuichi Sakamoto. Oyamada has collaborated with various artists both domestically and internationally, both as an individual and sometimes as a music producer. He has recently performed frequently with Sakamoto on the NHK Educational TV program "schola: Ryuichi Sakamoto's School of Music," and many viewers will have seen the two performing together on the show.

Oyamada describes this collaborative song as "a song like a long sigh." Indeed, the title itself seems to directly represent a sigh. However, rather than expressing emotions like lament or sadness, the piece shapes a profound, universal image.




The system allows users to download the work by making a donation of their choice, ranging from ¥1,000 per unit to ¥20,000 for 20 units, processed via PayPal. The entire amount collected from donations (excluding payment processing fees) is equally distributed to five organizations representing the fields of "medical care," "children," "food," "housing," and "energy" as "support needed now" in the affected areas, with donations made quarterly.

Beneficiaries
Doctors Without Borders Japan | Medical activities and pharmaceutical procurement, focusing on mental healthcare in Otsuchi Town, Iwate Prefecture.
Children's Music Revival Fund | Instrument repair and provision for educational institutions, and support for music activities.
Sunrise Genkimura Project | Support delivering rice to the elderly living in temporary housing.
Voluntary Architects Network Shigeru Ban / Great East Japan Earthquake Tsunami Support Project | Support through the installation of simple partition systems for evacuation shelters.
Institute for Energy Economics and Policy, "Connection and Warmth Project" | Support for affected areas through solar, solar thermal, and biomass energy.