Misia to Perform At The Opening Ceremony of National Cherry Blossom Festival As Cool Japan Messenger

Nominated by the Government of Japan, Japanese recording artist MISIA has been invited to the ceremony to perform a live concert on March 25th (for Washington D.C.'s National Cherry Blossom Festival) to send Japan's appreciation for the support the nation has received for the recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake.

This year is a remarkable celebration year, marking the 100th anniversary of Japan's gift of cherry blossom trees to the United States. In commemoration of this anniversary, Government of Japan will showcase Japanese-style design and culture events under ‘Cool Japan’, and this initiative will also serve as the creative engine for the nation's recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake, to rebuild and revitalize the whole nation. The Japanese government is also promoting this campaign in various countries around the world under the “JAPAN NEXT (to the Next New Japan)” message, which embodies the nation's determination to overcome its current challenges and rise above adversity. MISIA, named as Cool Japan Messenger by the Government of Japan, will express Japan's appreciation for the support received from abroad following the devastation from the Great East Japan Earthquake through her live performance and speech.

Message from MISIA
Cherry Blossom, we Japanese love and get power from it. In Japan, there is a long tradition of nature worship, and a belief that cherry blossom can have our souls and spirits. I'm deeply touched by that these cherry blossom trees in Washington DC became the symbol of friendly Japan-U.S. relations. And I'm highly honored that I have the chance to sing at this memorial ceremony.
This year is the 100th anniversary year of Japan's gift of cherry blossom, and it also has a special meaning for us. Commemorating one year since Great East Japan Earthquake, we strongly hope for Japan's reconstruction and revitalization.
I'd like to sing with our love of cherry blossom, hope for reconstruction, love of Japan, and our heartfelt appreciation for your support from all over the world.


MISIA Profile
ž MISIA, Japan's most popular female R&B recording artist, inspired by American R&B music, thrills audiences worldwide with her powerful five-octave range. A native of Nagasaki, Japan, she has earned world-wide acclaim, entertaining millions and selling over 30 million CDs. She debuted in 1998 and all ten of her studio albums to date have cracked the top 10, and she is one of the most successful touring artists in the new millennium, and the first female artist to play all five of Japan's largest stadiums.
ž MISIA has not only used her talents in the music scene. Since 2005, she has been participating in the Japanese campaign of G-CAP (Global Call to Action Against Poverty). During TICAD IV (The Fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development) in 2008, MISIA held a live show titled "Africa Benefit Live Yokohama" aiming to develop awareness of African and global issues. She joined BONO of U2 and Youssou N'Dour in an event to advocate the eradication of poverty.
ž In 2008, working hand-in-hand with UN organizations and local non-governmental organizations, MISIA successfully launched her "Child Africa" project to improve the educational environment of children in developing countries. She has been focusing on social action from a global point of view.
ž Having devoted much of her music career to philanthropic work, MISIA started the charity project Child AFRICA in 2008 and was named an Honorary Ambassador for the tenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP10) which was held in Aichi, Japan in 2010. For the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa, MISIA recorded the song “MAWARE MAWARE” and performed it before the Japan vs. Cameroon game. She also wrote the song “LIFE IN HARMONY,” which eventually got recognized as the theme song for COP10. This song was produced by world-renowned music producer David Foster.
ž After the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, MISIA tirelessly promoted the campaign “HOPE FOR JAPAN,” raising money to support the emergency relief and recovery activities. MISIA released a message song titled “Ashitae (TOMMORROW)” and part of the sales was used to support the people in disaster-stricken areas through the campaign.
ž At the request of the Government of Japan she performs at the Opening Ceremony to express the gratitude of the Japanese people for the support provided from the United States.


MISIA U.S. album releases
MISIA's latest albums are now also available in the U.S. to coincide with the government's Cool Japan campaign. A cover album embodying Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder hits (album 'Forest Covers”) and her latest studio recording album embodying her worldwide debut track “Maware Maware” (featured on '2010 FIFA Worldcup official album) as well as COP10 official song “LIFE IN HARMONY” (produced by David Foster) (album ‘Soul Quest’) will surely blow away American people's musical minds with her one-and-only Japanese soulful music.

Available in U.S. on iTunes and Amazon.com:
+ “MISIA no Mori -Forest Covers-“ (album)
+ “SOUL QUEST” (10th album)
+ “JUST BALLADE” (9th album)