[Important] "Culture Festival" by Free School SUN, Supporting Difficulties in Living, to be Held in Iwakuni on April 5th
Sun Music Nagoya has opened Free School SUN in Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, and will hold a cultural festival.
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- 📰 Published: April 1, 2026 at 00:00
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Sun Music Nagoya Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, Representative: Tetsuyuki Wada), an entertainment production company primarily active in the Tokai region and a group company of Sun Music Production Co., Ltd., will hold the "Free School SUN Cultural Festival in Iwakuni" as a first step into the community upon opening a new base for its operated Free School SUN in Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
Introducing "SUN," a New Free School Addressing "Invisible Difficulties in Living"
Sun Music Nagoya Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "the Company") is opening Free School "SUN" as a third place for children who are struggling with "invisible difficulties in living" such as school refusal, hikikomori (social withdrawal), and depression.
Currently, the number of children and students in Japan experiencing school refusal continues to increase, reaching record highs.
・Experiencing headaches upon waking up in the morning.
・Unable to enter the classroom.
・Unable to leave the house – Children facing such "invisible difficulties in living" tend to fall through the cracks of support systems and become isolated.
Free School SUN was established as a CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) initiative by Sun Music Nagoya, which has long been involved in expression guidance and talent development for "shining on stage" as an entertainment production company, to give back its expertise to society.
We aim to support children in taking their first steps towards connecting with society through experiences that make them feel "joyful."
Highlights of the Cultural Festival: Diverse Performers Sharing the Same Stage
The "Cultural Festival" organized by the Company provides a space for children struggling with "invisible difficulties in living" such as school refusal, hikikomori, and depression to shine through music and expression, regardless of their experiences, age, or presence of disabilities, by sharing the same stage.
Various musicians from different backgrounds who support this project will perform on stage at the "Cultural Festival in Iwakuni."
The lineup includes a diverse range of performers, from professional musicians to beginners, and adults who have continued their musical journey while living with developmental disabilities.
Performer Name | Main Career |
Eriko Matsuoka (Piano Solo and Vocals) | Experienced school refusal throughout junior and senior high school. Diagnosed with Bipolar I Disorder during graduate school, she completed her studies while repeatedly being admitted to and discharged from psychiatric hospitals. |
Asuka Ohguro (Sign Dance) | Began volunteer sign dance activities at age 17, performing at local events, school visits, day services, and street live performances in Tokyo. |
Toshio Ohara (TAKA) | Toshio Ohara: Served for 36 years as a member of the 4th Band of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. After retirement, he has been providing music instruction to a wide range of generations, from children to the elderly, mainly in Fukuoka. Michiko Matsunaga: Served as a dedicated singer for the Central Band, performing annually at the Self-Defense Forces Music Festival at the Nippon Budokan. Currently active as a freelance singer based in Nagoya. |
SUN Band (Wind Ensemble Performance) - Total 46 members | Conducted by Ikuo Ishii, who stood at the forefront of education for 42 years as a former elementary school principal and led an elementary school brass band to national competition. This 46-member wind ensemble includes local elementary and high school students, general members, professional musicians from Hiroshima, and music university students, all gathered to liven up this cultural festival. Their goal is to foster warm interaction with the local community and children of the future, and to perform passionate music. |
Cultural Festival Event Outline
Free School SUN will be held with the following outline.
＜Free School SUN Cultural Festival Outline＞
Event Name | Free School SUN Cultural Festival in Iwakuni |
Date | April 5, 2026 (Sunday) |
Venue | Sinfonia Iwakuni |
Exhibition Hall | Doors Open: 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM |
Concert Hall | Doors Open: 1:00 PM |
Admission Fee | Free |
Organizer | Sun Music Nagoya Co., Ltd. |
Planning and Operation | Free School SUN |
Cooperation | Sai School Project |
Furthermore, this cultural festival is not a one-time event. It is positioned as a continuous cultural project that will tour various locations across the country four times a year.
Schedule and Location | |
Chapter 1 | April 5, 2026 (Sunday) Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture |
Chapter 2 | August 2026 Fukuoka |
Chapter 3 | December 2026 Sendai |
Chapter 4 | April 2027 Hiroshima |
About Sun Music Nagoya / Free School SUN
A group company of "Sun Music Production Co., Ltd.," an entertainment production company with over 50 years of history.
The company operates an entertainment production company that manages affiliated entertainment talents and a training school, primarily in the Tokai region. Currently, approximately 200 male and female talents aged 0 to 90 are affiliated.
Free School SUN is a place operated by Sun Music Nagoya (Sun Music Group) for children struggling with school refusal, hikikomori, and difficulties in living.
Utilizing the expertise cultivated as an entertainment production company in "the joy of expression" and "guidance that fosters self-affirmation," we provide an environment where children can feel "it's okay to be here" through experiences such as singing, dancing, playing music, and creative activities.
This project is positioned as a CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) activity of Sun Music Nagoya and is not a profit-oriented business.
【Company Profile】
Company Name: Sun Music Nagoya Co., Ltd. (Sun Music Group)
Head Office Location: 1-9-15 Kanayama, Naka-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture
Representative Director: Tetsuyuki Wada
Business Activities: Entertainment Production, Entertainment Talent Training School
Established: May 11, 2017
HP (Sun Music Nagoya): https://sun-music.jp/
【Free School SUN Iwakuni】
Location: 2-5-8 Marifu-cho, Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture
Contact: 070-1645-3482
Official LINE: https://lin.ee/dSgfnhP
FAQ
When will the Free School SUN Cultural Festival in Iwakuni be held?
It will be held on Sunday, April 5, 2026.
Is there an admission fee?
Admission is free.
What is the purpose of this event?
The event aims to create a space in the community where children facing "invisible difficulties in living," such as school refusal, hikikomori, and depression, can shine through music and expression, standing on the same stage regardless of their experiences, age, or disabilities.
What kind of facility is Free School SUN?
It is a third place operated by Sun Music Nagoya for children struggling with school refusal, hikikomori, and difficulties in living. It utilizes the expertise cultivated as an entertainment production company to provide guidance that fosters self-affirmation.