New Balance Sponsors 'Ryuichi Sakamoto & Tin Drum | KAGAMI+'

New Balance Japan Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Shinsuke Kubota) announces its sponsorship of 'Ryuichi Sakamoto & Tin Drum | KAGAMI+', the Japanese premiere of Ryuichi Sakamoto’s mixed reality (MR) work 'KAGAMI', held at VS. (VieS) within Gran Green Osaka starting June 27, 2026.

Ryuichi Sakamoto’s five-decade-long creative journey as a musician and artist resonates deeply with New Balance’s founding principle of 'Craftsmanship'—a commitment to quality and artistry in making things, central to the brand since its 1906 founding. Since 2003, Sakamoto and New Balance have collaborated on numerous projects. Following its support for 'Ryuichi Sakamoto | Seeing Sound, Hearing Time' at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (December 2024–March 2025) and 'sakamotocommon OSAKA 1970/2025/Osaka/Ryuichi Sakamoto' in Osaka last year, New Balance Japan continues its cultural partnership with this sponsorship of 'Ryuichi Sakamoto & Tin Drum | KAGAMI+'.

'KAGAMI+' is the culmination of four final years of collaboration between Ryuichi Sakamoto and Tin Drum. By wearing a special transparent headset, audiences experience a meticulously recreated 3D image of Sakamoto, appearing lifelike and within arm’s reach, delivering an unprecedentedly intimate performance.

New Balance aims to share this magical experience—where virtual presence, music, and performance emerge within reality, born from Sakamoto’s 'Craftsmanship'—with as many people as possible, especially the next generation. The brand hopes that those who resonate with this magic will create new forms of 'Craftsmanship' and carry them into the future.

New Balance Day

September 11, 2026 (Friday) during the exhibition period will be celebrated as 'New Balance Day', a special invitation-only event. Musician Ayatake Ezaki (WONK) will serve as ambassador, guiding participants to transform their 'KAGAMI+' experience into personal creative expression. Ezaki will perform new music inspired by his own experience of the work, sharing it with attendees who will then connect it to their own creative practices. Together, participants will co-create a day of magical resonance.

Ayatake Ezaki

Musician. Born in Fukuoka City in 1992, based in Tokyo.

Ezaki creates introspective music centered on piano, moving fluidly between keyboards, electronic sounds, ambient noise, and the presence of silence. He focuses not only on the moment sound occurs but also on the silence before and after, and the lingering resonance that remains. Influenced by Japanese architecture and spatial theory—particularly the concepts of 'light' and 'ma' (negative space)—he explores the music that emerges between sound and silence, memory and landscape, the individual and space.

He hosts NHK FM’s 'Ayatake Ezaki’s Borderless Music Dig!!' and contributes music-related writings to the Nishinippon Shimbun ('Oto Kiki') and NHK Publishing’s 'Minna no Uta'. His second album, 'Whispers of Silence', will be released on February 25, 2026.

■ Display of Ryuichi Sakamoto’s Favorite New Balance Shoes

Starting July 28, 2026 (Tuesday), 'The Lab.', the official shop for 'KAGAMI+', will display the New Balance shoes favored by Ryuichi Sakamoto. Visit to explore the connection between Sakamoto and New Balance, alongside official event merchandise, CDs, records, and books.

■ Answer the Quiz, Get a 10% Off New Balance Coupon

After experiencing 'KAGAMI+', visitors can answer a LINE quiz based on their experience. Upon completion, they will receive a 10% off coupon redeemable at the New Balance official online store or nearby official retail stores.

■ Special Campaign

In conjunction with the exhibition, New Balance is offering 900 complimentary admission tickets to 'Ryuichi Sakamoto & Tin Drum | KAGAMI+' at its official Kansai-area stores on a first-come, first-served basis.

https://company.newbalance.jp/shopmagazine/72977

- Campaign Period: July 10 (Fri), 2026 – October 11 (Sun), 2026. Ends when supplies run out at each store.

- Participating Stores: New Balance Shinsaibashi / Horie / Grand Front Osaka / Hankyu Umeda Main Store / Abeno Harukas / Kyoto Takashimaya S.C. / Daimaru Kobe. (Other直营 stores, official online store, and online outlet are not eligible.)

- Eligibility: Customers who purchase items totaling ¥23,000 or more (tax included) at participating stores.

- Number of Tickets: 900 BLUE Tickets

※ BLUE Ticket: Includes access to the KAGAMI (MR content) preview experience (approx. 30 minutes) and exhibition viewing.

- Ticket Distribution: Eligible customers will receive the ticket immediately upon purchase at the store.

- Important Notes:

- Participation is limited to one per person.

- Please make a reservation for your visit date and time via the QR code site printed on the 'BLUE Ticket'. (Note: Entry is not possible with the ticket alone.)

■ About the Artwork 'KAGAMI'

'KAGAMI' is a mixed reality (MR) artwork that allows audiences to experience a precisely recreated 3D image of Ryuichi Sakamoto performing, viewed through a special transparent headset. After its world premiere in New York in 2023, it received widespread acclaim globally. This marks its long-awaited Japanese debut. As Sakamoto approaches the grand piano, his figure rises into the space with dreamlike 3D visuals synchronized to the music, offering an unparalleled immersive experience—being face-to-face with a refined performance at a proximity impossible in a real concert.

■ Event Overview

Exhibition Title: Ryuichi Sakamoto & Tin Drum | KAGAMI+

Venue: VS. (VieS) (6-86 Omotesuji, Kita-ku, Osaka City, Gran Green Osaka, Umekita Park, North Park, VS.)

Dates: June 27 (Sat), 2026 – October 12 (Mon, Holiday)

Opening Hours: 10:00–20:00 (timed entry)

Venue Official Website: https://vsvs.jp/

Event Official Website: https://sakamoto-kagami.com/

▼ About New Balance

Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, New Balance has been...