Music Day (Myūjikku no Hi)

What is Music Day?

Every year on March 19th is "Music Day" (Myūjikku no Hi), established in 1991 by the Japan Federation of Musicians, a labor union for professional musicians. The date comes from a number-sound pun: "mi" (3) + "yū" (1, read as "ichi" → "yū") + "ji" (9) sounds like "myū-ji-kku" (music). This day is dedicated to raising public awareness of the realities professional musicians face, and to promoting the development of Japan's music culture along with the legal and social standing of musicians. A wide variety of concerts and events are held across the country to rediscover the wonder of music.

Facts About Musicians' Rights and History

Behind the music we enjoy every day lies a long history of protecting the rights of the people who create it.

• The work of professional musicians: The Japan Federation of Musicians is an organization with roughly 5,000 professional performers, working to maintain healthy labor conditions across orchestras, jazz, studio musicians, and many other fields.
• Copyright and neighboring rights: It's a matter of law (the Copyright Act) that not only songwriters and composers, but also the performers themselves, hold rights to a piece of music. Music Day serves as a real milestone for renewing our respect for these creators.

The Scientific Effects of Music on Mind and Body

Music is more than entertainment — research has revealed its direct effects on the human brain and body.

• Release of brain chemicals: Medical research has proven that listening to music we love triggers the release of "dopamine," which brings pleasure, and "oxytocin," which eases stress.
• Heart rate and rhythm: The phenomenon where the rhythm of music synchronizes with our heart rate and breathing (entrainment) is used to produce relaxation and improve physical performance.

Fascinating Facts About Music

• The world's oldest instrument: A flute carved from a vulture's bone, discovered in a cave in Germany, is roughly 40,000 years old — proof of just how long music has been part of human life.
• The origin of "do-re-mi": In the 11th century, the monk Guido of Arezzo took the first syllable of each line from a hymn to St. John the Baptist to create note names — the origin of the modern "do-re-mi" scale.
• Music and plants: Studies suggest that music at certain frequencies can promote plant growth, and vineyards and sake breweries around the world have experimented with playing music to encourage aging and fermentation.
• The vinyl revival: Even in today's age of digital streaming, global vinyl record production has rebounded sharply, with younger generations drawn to its "warmth of sound" and tangible value.
• How it differs from International Music Day: October 1st is "International Music Day," but March 19th's "Music Day" is a uniquely Japanese commemoration focused specifically on the rights and cultural activities of Japanese performers.

Ideas for Enjoying Music Day

• Try a genre of music you wouldn't normally listen to — exploring new sounds can stimulate fresh areas of the brain and refresh your senses
• Instead of just streaming, head to a live house or concert hall and feel the "live vibrations" of professional performers with your whole body
• To mark March 19th (Music Day), put together a "soundtrack of your life" — a playlist of songs that give you courage — to use as a tool for mental care
• Pick up an instrument or simply hum a tune, and rediscover the joy of being the one who "makes sound" yourself

A Beautiful Melody Tunes Your Everyday Life to Its Most Dramatic Key

March 19th is a day when your senses are set free by rhythm, and even ordinary scenery starts to feel like a vivid movie scene. Just as music has connected people's hearts across generations, the passion within you can create wonderful resonance too. Let a melody that moves your heart be your ally, and the courage to leap over even the tallest walls will come naturally. May today fill you with an exciting new rhythm, and may it mark the beginning of a wonderfully "harmonious" year!