Every year on April 26, World Intellectual Property Day is celebrated with events around the globe, each year focusing on a different theme. On April 23, 2025, the WIPO Japan Office held a commemorative event for World Intellectual Property Day, with over 350 participants.
The commemorative event was held in person, featuring speeches under this year’s theme, “IP and Music: Feel the Beat of IP,” delivered by various distinguished speakers, including :
- Commissioner of Agency for Cultural Affairs
- Commissioner of Japan Patent Office
- A Japanese leading film and TV producer
- A leading AI researcher
- A thematic project producer for the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan
A live musical performance was also delivered by a prestigious wind ensemble from a Japannese high school.
Furthermore, an exhibition was held showcasing Japanese sophisticated designs selected by a judging panel composed of world-renowned industrial designers.
Music is one of the most universal forms of creative expression. From memorable melodies and rhythms that move the body, to lyrics that resonate with the heart, music enriches our daily lives.
On World IP Day 2025, we placed a spotlight on the role that intellectual property plays in keeping music alive and thriving in our everyday lives, while also highlighting the creativity and innovation that underpin and support it.
In order to enhance recognition of IP and music as an important topic for everyone, this year’s event featured a varied lineup of keynote speakers including a Japanese leading film and TV producer, a leading AI researcher, a thematic project producer for the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan.
In the opening remarks, guest speeches and keynote speeches, topics like below were focused on:
- Mr. Tomoki Sawai, Director of WIPO Japan Office, referred to a global survey by WIPO showing that despite Japan’s top-tier creativity and technological capabilities—recognized through the Economic Complexity Index—its IP systems have not yet taken root among the general public. He stressed the importance of enhancing both the use and public awareness of IP systems.
- Mr. Shunichi Tokura, Commissioner of the Agency for Cultural Affairs, emphasized that in today’s transition from an era of mass production and consumption to a new age, Japan’s future depends on the development of science, culture, and the arts. He noted the rapid growth of content industries like music and expressed strong expectations for the copyright system to support these developments.
- Mr. Yota Ono, Commissioner of the Japan Patent Office, spoke on this year’s IP day theme of music. Citing examples from the invention of the Walkman to the latest streaming services and noise-canceling technologies, he described how Japanese innovation has enabled new musical experiences. He also emphasized the importance of not only copyright systems but also patent systems and other forms of IP protection.
- Mr. Masakazu Kubo, President of Shogakukan Music & Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd., gave a talk on the anime industry, which is gaining increasing recognition both in Japan and overseas and growing into one of Japan’s key industries. With the advancement of AI technologies, he spoke about the importance of IP rights in protecting anime music and voice actors’ performances.
- Professor Hidenori Kawamura of the Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, Hokkaido University, explained that as society undergoes transformation driven by the mechanisms of deep learning and generative AI, the abilities that will be increasingly required of individuals are originality, the capacity for unconventional thinking, and strong decision-making skills..
- Ms. Sachiko Nakajima, President and CEO of steAm Inc., introduced the steAm initiative, built around the concept of “bringing the joy of creation to everyone,” which goes beyond conventional STEM education. She also presented efforts to incorporate this initiative into projects for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. Additionally, a musical performance was given by the “mini KURAGE Band,” (kurage meaning jellyfish in Japanese), consisting of Ms. Nakajima, who is also a jazz pianist, Mr. Hiroshi Suzuki, a saxophone player, and Mr. Choi Jae Chol, a Korean drum (Chango) player.
We were also treated to a live performance by the wind ensemble of Narashino High School, renowned nationwide for their exceptional performance skills and dynamic stage presence. Known by their tagline “Bibakuon” (Beautiful Explosive Sound), the ensemble—winner of the Gold Prize at the 72nd All Japan Band Competition (High School Division)—gave a stunning performance that filled the entire Iino Hall with excitement and emotion.
Their program included:
1. Takarajima (Composed by Hirotaka Izumi, Arranged by Toshio Mashima)
2. A Journey Along the Tokaido Line through the Railway Song (Arranged by Hiroki Takahashi)
3. UFO (Composed by Shunichi Tokura, Arranged by Kunitoshi Yamashita)
4. Southpaw (Composed by Shunichi Tokura, Arranged by Sawako Yamazato)
5. Pokémon Main Theme
6. Choral Piece “Furusato (Arashi)” (Lyrics by Kundo Koyama, Composed by youth case, Arranged by Kaori Yamada)
7. Baseball Cheer Medley
8. Let’s Go! Narashino / Narashino Kiratto Samba
Encore: Matsuken Samba II
The powerful and passionate performance left a lasting impression on the audience.
In the venue’s foyer, we held an exhibition featuring works selected by a distinguished jury of internationally renowned industrial designers—Prof. Mitsuru Senda, Dr. Kazuo Tanaka, Prof. Kazufumi Nagai, Mr. Yutaka Hasegawa, and Prof. Ikuo Maeda. The exhibition provided visitors with an opportunity to rediscover the aesthetic sensibilities and creativity embodied in Japan’s beautifully crafted products. Many participants felt a sense of pride in the uniqueness and refined beauty of Japanese design, which resonates globally.
For details about the exhibition, please visit the dedicated page.
Here are the exhibits:
Exhibition in the foyer
Selection committee by a distinguished jury of internationally renowned industrial designers
Find out more about the program of the event and bios of the speakers (in Japanese)