YOSHIKI Performs National Anthem 'Kimigayo' at F1 Japan Grand Prix Final Start Ceremony; Special Arrangement with Piano and Drums Receives Historic Acclaim Worldwide and Enthusiastic Reactions on Social Media
YOSHIKI performed the national anthem 'Kimigayo' at the F1 Japan Grand Prix, receiving worldwide acclaim.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: March 30, 2026 at 03:43
- 🔍 Collected: March 30, 2026 at 09:00 (5h 17m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 15, 2026 at 10:06 (385h 6m after Collected)
On Sunday, March 29th, YOSHIKI performed the Japanese national anthem, 'Kimigayo,' at the pre-race ceremony for the "2026 FIA F1 World Championship Series Aramco Japanese Grand Prix" (hereinafter referred to as the "F1 Japan Grand Prix") held at Suzuka Circuit in Mie Prefecture.
The F1 Japan Grand Prix is known as the world's premier motorsport event. The national anthem performance held just before the final start is a symbolic ceremony that heralds the opening of the Grand Prix. Broadcast in over 180 countries and regions worldwide, Suzuka Circuit, packed with 130,000 spectators, recorded its highest attendance since the F1 event resumed in 2009. As YOSHIKI appeared, thunderous cheers erupted from the venue. The rendition of 'Kimigayo,' specially arranged with piano and drums, began with the quiet beauty of classical piano melodies, followed by the addition of drums, infusing it with the exhilarating energy of rock and creating an atmosphere of intense tension and overwhelming power just before the final start. Following the performance, massive cheers once again filled the air.
On social media, reactions such as "This is truly a historic performance," "You won over the audience and set new standards!", "Now THIS is how a national anthem gets done," and "That was one epic rock-themed national anthem!" were posted, alongside comments like "I've never heard such a cool, rock-style national anthem" and "YOSHIKI's arrangement is perfect for the F1 start, it's the best." Surprise and praise spread both domestically and internationally.
After finishing the national anthem performance, YOSHIKI departed Suzuka Circuit by helicopter and traveled to Tokyo to rehearse for his classical concert scheduled for April. Furthermore, on the same day at 8:30 PM, he made a live appearance on his official streaming program, "YOSHIKI CHANNEL," to discuss international
FAQ
What event did YOSHIKI perform at?
YOSHIKI performed at the pre-race ceremony for the 2026 FIA F1 World Championship Series Aramco Japanese Grand Prix.
What song did YOSHIKI perform?
YOSHIKI performed the Japanese national anthem, 'Kimigayo'.
How was the performance arranged?
The national anthem was performed with a special arrangement featuring both piano and drums, blending classical beauty with rock energy.
What was the reaction to the performance?
The performance received widespread acclaim worldwide, with enthusiastic reactions on social media praising it as historic and epic.
What was the attendance at the event?
The event at Suzuka Circuit had an attendance of 130,000 spectators, the highest since the F1 event resumed in 2009.