[60th Anniversary of The Beatles' Japan Visit] Photographer Shinpei Asai's Photo Exhibition & "Hello Goodbye in the Starry Sky by Shinpei Asai" Book Launch Commemorative Events: Autograph Session for First 30 on July 8 (Wed) and Talk Show on July 12 (Sun)

Takahashi Shoten Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Toshima-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Yoshinari Shimizu) will launch the "Shinpei Asai 60th Photo Exhibition Executive Committee" to commemorate the release of "Hello Goodbye in the Starry Sky by Shinpei Asai" (Author: Shinpei Asai) on July 10, 2026 (Fri) at bookstores and online stores nationwide. A commemorative project to enjoy Shinpei Asai's world of work will be held at the Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, Main Building 7th Floor, Special Exhibition Hall.

This project will feature a photo exhibition selling works, including photos of The Beatles recorded by Mr. Asai, to coincide with the 60th anniversary of The Beatles' visit to Japan. On the first day of the exhibition, July 8 (Wed), an autograph session by Mr. Asai will be held for the first 30 customers who purchase the book, and on July 12 (Sun), a special talk show will be held with Yumi Karahashi, a freelance announcer, as the guest.

[Photo Exhibition Overview]

Title: Shinpei Asai 60th "Hello Goodbye in the Starry Sky Shinpei Asai Photo Exhibition"

Period: July 8, 2026 (Wed) - July 20, 2026 (Mon, Holiday) 10:00 - 19:00 *Closes at 18:00 on the final day

Venue: Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, Main Building 7th Floor, Special Exhibition Hall

Admission Fee: Free

Organizer: Shinpei Asai 60th Photo Exhibition Executive Committee

Official Website: https://hellogoodbye-shimpeiasai.jp/

Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hellogoodbye_shimpeiasai/?hl=ja

Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1EVyLXUXRu/?mibextid=wwXIfr

In addition to the exhibited photographs and books, original goods based on the works included in the book, such as T-shirts and tote bags, will be sold at the venue.

Autograph Session for First 30 Book Purchasers: July 8 (Wed) 13:00 - 15:00

[Autograph Session Overview]

Date and Time: July 8 (Wed) 13:00 - 15:00

Venue: Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, Main Building 7th Floor, Special Exhibition Hall

Participation Requirements: Customers who purchase the book "Hello Goodbye in the Starry Sky by Shinpei Asai" (2750 yen including tax) at the venue.

Capacity: First 30 people

Numbered Tickets: Distributed to customers who purchase the target book at the venue.

Personalization: Possible

*Distribution of numbered tickets will end once capacity is reached.

*The autograph session will begin at 13:00 for customers with numbered tickets.

*Only one autograph per person.

Shinpei Asai x Yumi Karahashi (Freelance Announcer) Special Talk Show: July 12 (Wed) 13:00 -

At the talk show, Mr. Asai plans to discuss his thoughts behind the photo exhibition "Hello Goodbye in the Starry Sky," anecdotes from when The Beatles first visited Japan, and exhibited items such as cameras and armbands used at the time. The talk will also introduce the world that Mr. Asai has observed over 60 years, touching upon his diverse expressions beyond photography, including his "HOBO" series of landscapes from Japan and abroad, glass crafts, and calligraphy. Please enjoy the world of his works as told in his own words, along with viewing the photo exhibition.

[Special Talk Show Overview]

Date and Time: July 12 (Sun) Starting at 13:00 (scheduled for 30 minutes)

Venue: Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, Main Building 7th Floor, Special Exhibition Hall

Guest: Yumi Karahashi (Freelance Announcer)

Participation Method: No prior reservation required, free to attend.

Admission Fee: Free

*Chairs will be provided, but the number is limited. Please be aware that standing room may be necessary.

*Please refrain from taking photos or videos during the talk show.

Profile of Shinpei Asai

Born in Seto City, Aichi Prefecture in 1937. Dropped out of Waseda University's School of Political Science and Economics. Made his major debut in 1966 with the photo collection "The Beatles, Tokyo." Since then, he has been active in a wide range of genres including photography, film, essays, haiku, music, and ceramics. He continues to capture the era with his unique aesthetic and free perspective.

Profile of Yumi Karahashi

Worked as an announcer for TV-U Fukushima (1999-2004), hosting programs such as "Marutoku" and serving as a caster for "News no Mori Fukushima." Currently active as a freelance announcer, appearing on programs like TBS's "Sunday Morning." Author of "Conversation is 90% Empathy - A Textbook for Communication That Makes You Feel Better" (Tokuma Shoten, 2020), among other works.

[Official EC Site] Hello Goodbye in the Starry Sky Shinpei Asai

Opening Date: From June 30, 2026 (Tue)

Products for Sale: Original goods and catalogs based on the works included in the book "Hello Goodbye in the Starry Sky," as well as 6 types of T-shirts, 3 types of tote bags, 7 types of postcards, and 7 types of can badges (some items are EC exclusive).

URL: https://hellogoodbye.base.ec/

About the Book "Hello Goodbye in the Starry Sky by Shinpei Asai"

In this year, 2026, the 60th anniversary of The Beatles' visit to Japan, Shinpei Asai, a photographer and writer, looks back on the Showa era (1960s-1990s) through photographs and essays.

Shinpei Asai, who debuted as a photographer in 1966 with "The Beatles, Tokyo: 100 Hours of Romance" in the year of The Beatles' first visit to Japan. For the past 60 years, he has captured the pulse of the times by depicting music, culture, cities, and people with his unique sensibility.

This book is an anthology that brings together numerous photographs capturing bygone times and the writings from those periods. It includes The Beatles, with whom he had a fateful encounter during his time as an unknown photographer; figures representative of the Showa era such as Tamori, Kiyoshi Atsumi, and Juzo Itami, whom the Showa era brought him together with; and memories of his travels to places like Tahiti, South Africa, and McKinley.

Book Information

Title: Hello Goodbye in the Starry Sky Shinpei Asai

Author: Shinpei Asai

Price: 2750 yen (including tax)

Specifications: 288 pages, hardcover / A-format (122mm x 188mm)

ISBN: 978-4-471-01500-8

Release Date: July 10, 2026 (Fri)

[Contact for Media Regarding This Event]

Shinpei Asai 60th Photo Exhibition PR Office (Intention Co., Ltd.)

Contact: Mai Furukawa

Phone: 080-3367-0442 / Email: pr@hellogoodbye-shimpeiasai.jp

[Inquiries Regarding the Book]

Takahashi Shoten Co., Ltd. Advertising and Public Relations Department

TEL: 03-5957-7061 FAX: 03-5957-7079

170-6014 Sunshine 60, 14F, 3-1-1 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo

MAIL: k_koukoku@takahashishoten.co.jp

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