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Through initiatives such as the Cabinet Secretariat's Expo International Exchange Program, the thematic project "Invigorating Lives" promotes cultural exchange with various countries and regions, aiming to connect Japan with the world. Partnerships include Katano City with Ethiopia, Izumi City with Senegal, Nanto City with Trinidad and Tobago, Matsushige Town with Ghana, Ginoza Village with Cameroon, Kamita Town with Jordan, and many more.

We believe the future of our planet will be shaped through collaboration. In this process, the harmonious blending of traditional cultural expressions such as music and dance, which transcend language, will play a significant role.

This workshop, held as part of the Cultural Co-Creation Week for the Future, will feature a live performance connecting the world in collaboration with the Jellyfish Band, shortly after the Expo period concludes in April. Led by thematic project producer Ms. Sachiko Nakajima, the Jellyfish Band serves as a cultural hub that offers live performances engaging all the senses—not just hearing. Acting as a bridge, the Jellyfish Band connects various countries around the world, using music and dance to energize the Expo, foster new encounters, and explore innovative forms of global cultural co-creation for the future.

【Reflection】
This workshop was held as part of the “Invigorating Lives” thematic project of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, under the initiative of the “Co-Creating Cultures for the Future” Theme Week. As one of the eight global themes addressed by the project, this event took the form of a live, participatory workshop featuring KURAGE Band, which weaves together global cultural elements and Japanese regional traditions through music and dance as a form of collaboration. With participants from Tibet, Senegal, Korea, Japan, and more, the session created a powerful experience of resonance across cultures, transcending borders, languages, and religions to highlight the universal potential of human connection.

The workshop especially highlighted Tibetan step dance led by Tibetan musician Tenzin Kunsang, and Senegalese rhythm-based play and movement guided by Senegalese drummer Abdoulaye Ndiaye Rose. Audience members—children and adults alike—joined the circle to mimic the unique Tibetan steps and to playfully engage with Senegalese hand, shoulder, and hip movements. There was also a light introduction to Korean pungmul, a traditional form of percussive circle dance, facilitated by Korean drummer Choi Jaecheol.

What makes KURAGE Band unique is its ability to transform audiences into participants, inviting everyone to experience music, culture, and the pulse of life through the body and the senses. By dissolving the boundary between stage and floor, the workshop turned music into a shared, embodied experience rather than a one-way performance. Many participants expressed that although the cultures were unfamiliar, they felt a deep sense of connection and unity through playful, physical involvement.

Note: One area for improvement is the documentation and archiving of participants’ feedback and reflections—an important point for the ongoing development of cultural co-creation.

【Post EXPO Initiatives】
This workshop served as a launchpad for cultural co-creation in the post-Expo world. The network fostered through the KURAGE Band and its collaborative performances with diverse countries and regions forms a strong foundation for ongoing cultural exchange. In fact, potential avenues for mutual exchange are already being explored in local educational and community contexts—such as between Izumi City and Senegal. Other examples of international partnerships that have been realized include Matsushige Town and Ghana, Katano City and Ethiopia, as well as Ginoza Village and Cameroon.

Building on this experience, the KURAGE Band is working to further develop its international co-performance workshop format, with the aim of expanding its reach to future events both in Japan and abroad. These may include school-based programs, local festivals, and international conferences. A particular emphasis is being placed on the development of educational initiatives that integrate “Music × STEAM × International Exchange,” offering children embodied experiences that foster encounters with diverse cultures.

Furthermore, a video feature is currently in production, showcasing the activities of the KURAGE Band through event documentation and participant reflections. This content is designed to ensure that this initiative is not a one-off event, but rather a prototype for the future of cultural co-creation—a model that may be adapted and adopted by other municipalities and countries. Looking ahead, we intend to carry forward the spirit of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan as a “People’s Living Lab,” and to continue expanding the scope of cultural collaboration around the world.

Yamamoto Noh Theater Foundation