Nobuyuki Suzuki, chay, Shori Kondo, and Haruki Kiyama Appear! I.W. Harper's New Project 'HARPER'S CROSSING ~Talking about 'Pursuing what you love' with I.W. Harper~' Kicks Off

Diageo Japan Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; hereinafter Diageo Japan), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Diageo plc, a major British alcoholic beverage company that develops liquor brands in over 180 countries worldwide, is launching a new project for its premium bourbon whiskey 'I.W. Harper' titled 'HARPER'S CROSSING ~Talking about 'Pursuing what you love' with I.W. Harper~'.

This project is developed under I.W. Harper's brand concept, 'Pursuing what you love.' In the 1870s, while many bourbons focused on efficiency and mass production, the founder's stance was to continuously pursue pure taste without being swayed by external evaluations or conventional wisdom. This belief, the idea of 'pouring passion into what you believe in,' is the origin of the brand's 'Pursuing what you love' concept. This project, with the concept of 'An intersection for adults who pursue what they love,' depicts moments where expressive individuals who walk their own path, believing in their own values, inspire each other through dialogue.

Nobuyuki Suzuki (actor), chay (singer-songwriter), Shori Kondo (actor), and Haruki Kiyama (actor/artist), all I.W. Harper enthusiasts and active in their respective fields as expressive individuals, will appear. Set against the backdrop of golf, a highly social culture, they will engage in content discussing their life philosophies and values, centered on the value of 'Pursuing what you love.'

【Project Overview】

・Project Name: HARPER'S CROSSING ~Talking about 'Pursuing what you love' with I.W. Harper~

・Release Date: May 7, 2026 (Thursday)

・Special Website:

https://www.iwharper.jp/specialinterviews/?utm_source=pr&utm_medium=publisher&utm_campaign=2026q4_iwharper_brand_jp&utm_content=pr_article_20260507

■Project Content ~An 'Adults' Intersection' Born Through Golf and Dialogue~

Special content released in collaboration with various culture media

In this project, the world view of the I.W. Harper brand is conveyed through golf culture, which is deeply cherished by adults who 'pursue what they love.' Through golf, a sport that is both a 'battle with oneself' and a 'dialogue with diverse adults,' the project depicts a series of inspiring moments, from the golf round to the time spent savoring I.W. Harper.

Expressive individuals from different genres and careers who have pursued what they love, such as actor Nobuyuki Suzuki, singer-songwriter chay, actor Shori Kondo, and Haruki Kiyama, who is active as a dancer and performer both domestically and internationally, will play a round of golf together. Afterwards, while enjoying I.W. Harper, they will engage in dialogue on themes such as:

Why they chose to continue on their path

What supported them through doubts and conflicts

What it means to 'pursue what you love'

The discussions will be presented as articles and videos, disseminated through the brand website and multiple media partners, leveraging each media's editorial strengths.

■Participating Media / Comments (Excerpts)

◎Quick Japan Web: Nobuyuki Suzuki (Actor)

I think it's very important to pursue what you love. You'll probably face many obstacles because you love it, but there's probably no driving force that can overcome the feeling of 'love.'

◎NiEW: chay (Singer-songwriter)

I think the feeling of love is an incredible energy. I don't think there's any driving force that can surpass it. In the environment I grew up in, there were strong fixed ideas about 'what happiness is.' Things like graduating from a good school, getting a good job, and marrying a good person. In such an environment, some people gave up on their dreams because of what others said. That's a real shame.

◎J-WAVE: Shori Kondo (Actor)

I kept saying I wanted to do it, and a chance came when I was 29, so I really think it's important to keep 'loving' it, to vocalize it, and to embody it.

◎Stage Natalie: Haruki Kiyama (Actor/Artist)

I think everyone experiences mental struggles. But I believe that if you have your own vision, you won't give up. On the contrary, precisely because you have a vision, you can approach things with confidence. Because if you can see something, all you have to do is aim for it.

■About I.W. Harper

'I.W. HARPER' embodies the positive spirit of 'pouring passion into what you believe in' and the world.