Japan Arts Corporation founder and current chairman/CEO Yasuo Nakato has authored a book on his thirty-five career of bringing the blessings of classical music to Japanese audiences. The title of the just-published volume is "Working With Music -- My Wish to Share Its Joys With Japan's Audiences."

Japan Arts arranges Japan tours for the world's foremost classical orchestras, opera and ballet companies and other classical music performers, as well as handling the domestic management and coordination for overseas tours of some of Japan's best musical talent.

Mr. Nakato describes himself as a typical company employee who got together with some friends to build a music management business from scratch. The book recounts lessons learned and unforgettable experiences with great artists on the personal level and from witnessing their stirring stage performances. The pages bespeak the hardships of confronting the east-west cold war era and prayers for peace born from music. The book is resplendent with vivid behind-the-scenes episodes featuring such luminaries as Sviatoslav Richter, Krystian Zimerman, Evgeny Kissin, Mstislav Rostropovich and Valery Gergiev.

The book also provides insights on how Japan regards cultural and artistic enterprises, with notes on sound classical concert management practices that ought to interest anyone thinking of getting into the business.


Published by Pia Corporation. November, 2008. ISBN 978-4-8356-1723-7.