Universal Music's English Education Service 'UM English Lab' Certified for Second Consecutive Year as 'This is MECENAT' for Contributions to Arts and Culture Promotion

Universal Music LLC (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Naoki Fujikura; hereinafter 'Universal Music') announces that its English education support platform 'UM English Lab' has been certified for the second consecutive year under the 'This is MECENAT' program, a corporate patronage (arts and culture promotion) recognition system administered by the Japan Business Federation for Corporate Philanthropy (JBFCP).

The English education support platform 'UM English Lab,' operated by Universal Music, has been certified under the 'This is MECENAT 2026' program by the Japan Business Federation for Corporate Philanthropy. This marks the second consecutive year of certification, following recognition in 2025.

Launched in March 2025, 'UM English Lab' (hereinafter 'UMEL') is a project that leverages Universal Music's extensive international music repertoire to create original supplementary teaching materials for use in school English classes, which are provided free of charge to teachers nationwide.

The teaching materials are provided in formats such as PowerPoint, including pronunciation guides for Western songs, making them immediately usable in classrooms. Additionally, Universal Music covers all copyright fees for the use of music in classroom settings. The materials can be downloaded after a simple registration on the website.

Teacher Download Registration Site: https://umj.lnk.to/UME_DL

Collaboration with Textbooks and Digital Tools Begins

In addition to providing teaching materials, UMEL also conducts joint material development with teachers, on-site classes at schools, and programs related to inquiry-based learning and expressive activities using music. The initiative focuses on developing teaching materials and lesson programs that can be used in real classroom environments, centered on English education using Western music.

In April 2026, UMEL announced a collaboration with Tokyo Shoseki's junior high school English textbook series 'NEW HORIZON.' Using Western songs featured in the textbooks, the project has developed teaching slides and student worksheets that combine English learning with inquiry-based activities, as well as 'phonetic translation' materials that support pronunciation closer to native speakers. These materials are provided free of charge and can be edited and utilized by teachers according to their lesson objectives and student proficiency levels.

Furthermore, in May 2026, UMEL launched a partnership with the digital learning platform 'Kahoot!'. Utilizing songs and music videos by artists such as The Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, and The Carpenters, the platform offers quiz-style content that teaches English expressions, grammar, listening, and pronunciation. Designed for participation via smartphones and tablets, the content is intended for various classroom uses, including lesson introductions, reviews, and short quizzes.

Encouraging Students to Reflect on the World and Society Through Western Music

UMEL emphasizes creating opportunities for students to engage with the English language through music. By using song lyrics as learning material, the program not only supports vocabulary and expression acquisition but also encourages students to think about the historical and cultural contexts in which the songs were created, as well as the underlying values. The initiative aims to broaden students' interest in English and foreign cultures by starting from their individual interests and curiosities.

On its official website, UMEL provides not only teaching materials but also interviews with experts in music and education, learning methods using Western music, and lesson ideas.

In June 2026, UMEL launched 'Summer 2026 Pop Music Independent Research Project,' which allows students to simultaneously learn about the SDGs and English through Western music. Students select a song of interest from artists such as Stevie Wonder, Bob Marley, Lady Gaga, and John Lennon, and explore the relationship between the message in the lyrics and social issues.

This content is being rolled out not only for classroom use but also as a resource for students to independently reflect on global and societal issues through music.

Following this second consecutive certification, UMEL will continue its efforts to connect entertainment and education under the theme 'Making education fun with Western music,' while expanding collaborations with educational institutions and services. The initiative aims to create opportunities for students to develop interest in English, foreign cultures, and global values through music.

'This is MECENAT'

'This is MECENAT' is a certification program designed to recognize the social significance of corporate patronage activities (corporate support for arts and culture to create a richer, better society) conducted by companies across Japan. Certified activities are awarded the 'MECENAT Mark' as a symbol and are featured in the 'MECENAT Archive' on the official website.

Over 1,600 initiatives have been registered, including support for arts and culture, environmental conservation, welfare, and regional revitalization.

'This is MECENAT' Official Website: https://mecenat-mark.org/

Japan Business Federation for Corporate Philanthropy: https://www.mecenat.or.jp/

Universal Music LLC

The Universal Music Group nurtures culture through the power of art.

As a global leader in the entertainment industry, the group operates across music production, music publishing, merchandising, and visual content.

It offers the most comprehensive music catalog covering all genres, discovers and develops artists, and delivers numerous internationally acclaimed hit works.

Valuing artistry, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit, the group develops services, platforms, and new business models to enhance artists' value and provide music fans with new experiences.

Universal Music LLC is the Japanese subsidiary of Universal Music Group.

Universal Music Group: www.universalmusic.com

Universal Music LLC: https://www.universal-music.co.jp/