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: 3 is read "myū" and 19 "jikku," making "myūjikku" (music). The day aims to highlight the musicians who perform in clubs and elsewhere, encourage people to enjoy more live music, and win public understanding and support for improving the situation of Japan's musicians and music culture. 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, headquartered in Nishi-Shinjuku, Tokyo, is a labor organization for music professionals working in orchestras, jazz, studio sessions, and many other fields, and works to improve their working conditions.
• 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 (neighboring rights). Music Day is a chance to renew our respect for the people who create and perform music.

Celebrating Live Music

What Music Day values most is live music.

• Highlighting performers: The day carries the wish that people will notice the musicians who perform every day in hotels, clubs, and live venues.
• The charm of live performance: The same piece sounds different each time depending on the room and the players — live music lets you feel the spread of sound and the performers' breathing in a way recordings cannot.

Fascinating Facts About Music

• One of the oldest instruments: A flute carved from a vulture's bone, discovered in a cave in Germany, is thought to be about 40,000 years old — a sign of 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 (ut, re, mi…) to create note names — the origin of "do-re-mi"; "ut" was later replaced by "do."
• The word "music": The English word traces back to the Muses, the goddesses of the arts in Greek mythology.
• The vinyl revival: Even in today's age of digital streaming, vinyl records have made a comeback, with younger generations drawn to their tangible appeal, such as holding the album jacket.
• 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 on the work of Japan's musicians and on music culture.

Ideas for Enjoying Music Day

• Try a genre of music you wouldn't normally listen to and discover a new world of sound
• 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 — for a quick mood boost during the workday
• 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 turn out to be a wonderfully "harmonious" day!