Kyoto University of the Arts to Sponsor J-WAVE's "KYOTO GEIJUTSU DAIGAKU SONG STORIES," Navigated by Shota Yasuda of SUPER EIGHT

Kyoto University of the Arts (Sakyo-ku, Kyoto / President: Taku Sato) is one of Japan's largest comprehensive art universities with approximately 23,000 students enrolled in its on-campus and correspondence programs. The correspondence division, in particular, has about 18,000 students and supports a wide range of creative activities.

In April 2026, a new, fully online Bachelor of Arts "Music Course" for music production will be established. The curriculum is designed for complete beginners, focusing on DTM (Desktop Music) and does not require prior knowledge of musical instrument performance or theory. It aims to be a new learning space that unleashes the richness and joy of creating music, not just listening to it, for as many people as possible.

To deliver this message to a wider audience, the university will begin sponsoring the J-WAVE music program "KYOTO GEIJUTSU DAIGAKU SONG STORIES" starting with the broadcast on Friday, April 3, 2026. In this program, Shota Yasuda of SUPER EIGHT delves into the stories behind songs, using the era, social conditions, and cultural context of their creation as clues. Faculty from the Music Course are also scheduled to appear as guests, so please look forward to it.

Program Overview

Program Name: KYOTO GEIJUTSU DAIGAKU SONG STORIES

Broadcast Time: Every Friday 25:30–26:00

Navigator: Shota Yasuda (SUPER EIGHT)

A music talk program that explores the hidden stories behind famous songs. Navigator Shota Yasuda carefully unravels the creative process and historical background, delivering a new musical experience to listeners.

Shota Yasuda Profile

Born September 11, 1984, in Hyogo Prefecture. Blood type A. Affiliated with STARTO ENTERTAINMENT. A member of the idol group SUPER EIGHT. As an actor, he has appeared in the MBS/TBS drama "Dragon Seinen-dan" (2012), the movie "Uso Happyaku Naniwa Yume no Jin" (2023), and the stage plays "Alibaba" and "Ai no Kojiki" (2025). In 2020, he released his first solo photobook, "LIFE IS."

・Program X Account: https://twitter.com/SONGSTORIES813

・Program Website: https://www.j-wave.co.jp/original/songstories/

About Kyoto University of the Arts

Department of Fine and Applied Arts, Correspondence Education

A comprehensive art university with 13 departments and 23 courses, offering programs from fine arts to design, architecture, and film. Taku Sato is the president. Over 800 faculty and staff provide education. The on-campus student body is approximately 3,800, but with over 18,000 correspondence students, it is the largest art university in Japan, with a total of about 23,000 students. The correspondence program, which started in 1998, allows students to earn a bachelor's degree (Art) or a master's degree (Art) fully online. It attracts students of all ages, from their teens to their 90s, from across the country.

・Kyoto University of the Arts Website: https://www.kyoto-art.ac.jp/

・Department of Fine and Applied Arts, Correspondence Education Website: https://www.kyoto-art.ac.jp/t/

・New "Music Course" Special Site: https://www.kyoto-art.ac.jp/t/lp/music/