Japanese Entrepreneur in the US Receives FRSA Honor for Social Change Through Music

Honor and Achievements of Miyuki Tani, FRSA

In a significant achievement, MIyuki Tani, the founder and CEO of ONTSUBU LLC, based in Virginia, has been awarded the prestigious Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA) title by the Royal Society for her outstanding contributions to social change through musical technology. This recognition, which allows her to add the FRSA designation after her name, acknowledges her international efforts connecting Japan, the US, and the UK. Received through nominations and recommendations, this honor was notably backed by Jonva Ven, a fellow FRSA and music producer from Berklee College of Music.

The Role of Music in Social Change

This recognition underlines Tani's role in bridging music with social transformation, acknowledging her innovative approach that utilizes music, sound science, and engineering to create impactful societal changes. She believes that sound is becoming a new infrastructure linking Japan's industry, culture, and science with the global community. Through ONTSUBU, she promotes sound technology in three primary domains:
1. Entertainment Industry Collaboration: Elevating Japan’s brand power, ONTSUBU’s sound technology not only enhances emotional engagement through advanced sound design but also promotes well-being by producing music that incorporates elements of relaxation.* This initiative underscores Japan’s spiritual legacy, enhancing the international value of its content.
2. Spatial Sound Design Collaboration: This aspect focuses on creating a comfortable auditory environment accessible for all, regardless of age and ability. Tani's sound technology has been validated through peer-reviewed research in neuroscience, reinforcing its efficacy in enhancing workplace environments and contributing to corporate health management.
3. Academic and Industry Research Collaboration: Establishing scientific international standards through cooperative research, Tani aims to document the effects of music rhythms on humans, integrating sound science into sustainable economic development.

A Journey of Rhythm and Engineering

For 17 years, Miyuki Tani has established herself as a professional drummer, performing with renowned artists across 60 nations, including the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame artist Magic Slim. Holding qualifications in urban planning and engineering, she has meticulously developed methodologies that interpret the structure of sound and rhythm, applying them to emotional, physical, and social dimensions.

Driven by her conviction that rhythm transcends language and culture to touch the human soul, she founded ONTSUBU LLC in 2024. Tani is actively involved in several projects, including proposals to the Library of Congress and collaborations with Berklee College of Music on rhythm research, demonstrating a commitment to advancing the fusion of music, technology, and societal application.

Contributions and Future Vision

Tani described receiving the FRSA title as an honor and a strong motivator to enhance contributions to sustainable economic activities through music. Citing public issues related to mental health and challenges in music education and sound technology, she emphasized the need for collaboration with a larger audience. She aims to harness the strengths of art as a medium for empathy and progress, aspiring to connect local insights with global advancements.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS INCLUDE:
1. Woven by Fate (2024): A project that incorporates sounds from traditional Japanese weaving into music, showcased at the New York Textile Month.
2. Sound Wellness Integrations: ONTSUBU’s sound design has been adopted in various commercial spaces, promoting holistic well-being through tailored audio experiences.
3. Data-Driven Sound Experiments: Conducted pilot programs aimed at quantifying the influence of sound on perception and emotion.
4. Innovator in Residence Proposal: A forward-thinking application to the Library of Congress focusing on healing music generation.

Innovation in Sound Science

ONTSUBU’s unique framework is grounded in three main theories:
1. Sound Particle Theory: Analyzing the effect of sound on physical and emotional states, providing an engineering perspective on auditory experiences.
2. Between the Note Theory: Systematizing expressions between musical notes based on the Japanese aesthetic concept of 'Ma'.
3. Groove Healing: A wellness approach that utilizes polyrhythms and spatial acoustics to affect mental and physical well-being, supported by data from previous studies reporting noticeable changes in participants.

About RSA

The Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) has historically recognized individuals with outstanding achievements contributing to societal change since its establishment in 1754. With notable fellows like Benjamin Franklin and Nelson Mandela, the RSA aims to deliver enduring transformations through rigorous research and community engagement.

About ONTSUBU LLC

Founded in Virginia, ONTSUBU LLC integrates music technology, education, sound wellness, and label operations aiming to offer transformative solutions across individual learning to systemic implementations. Tani's vision, defined by the motto "Connect All That Is", seeks to collaborate with the RSA community to build a better future.