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The JPASN Annual Symposium 2025

Scheduled for January 30, 2026, the JPASN (Japan Performing Arts Network) Annual Symposium 2025 will be held at Ginza Shochiku Square Entrance. This event aims to discuss the current state and future outlook of performing arts and is divided into two parts.

Part 1: Music Rights and Current Challenges

The first segment will focus on the issues facing the performing arts industry, specifically the ongoing discussions within the Cultural Agency and Cultural Council concerning the "record performance rights and communication rights." Expert panelists will elucidate the backgrounds and implications these topics present to the field. Presenters include Ken Saku Fukui, Kazuhiko Matsuda, Momo Sakamoto, and Sae Takamoto, all of whom will address how existing compositions and recorded music impact artistic creation. This conversation will particularly emphasize the consequences for smaller organizations and emerging artists while considering the regulations surrounding music usage in the age of AI. The industry must evolve to meet contemporary challenges—not just for established players, but also for the new generation of performers and creators.

Panelists:

• - Ken Saku Fukui: A lawyer and board member of JPASN, experienced in copyright and content promotion.
• - Kazuhiko Matsuda: Known for his work in theatrical rights acquisition and coordination, fostering international partnerships.
• - Momo Sakamoto: Producer with extensive experience in both commercial and student theater.
• - Sae Takamoto: Prominent figure in theater production, managing various artistic projects.

Part 2: Four Seeds for the Future of Performing Arts

The second segment introduces four cross-sector initiatives driven by JPASN: EPAD (a project for archiving performing arts), the