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SAYONARA National Stadium FINAL WEEK: The final music event, "JAPAN NIGHT," is happening!
The National Stadium, which served as the main stadium for the Tokyo Olympics, closed its doors on May 31st, ending 56 years of history. Beloved as a sacred site for both sports and music, the stadium hosted its final music event, "JAPAN NIGHT," which kicked off on the 28th. This event lavishly illuminated the stadium's last week, dubbed "FINAL WEEK," over two days.
A countdown began alongside historic scenes projected onto a giant screen at the front of the stage. As the sacred flame was lit and the cheers of 50,000 spectators reached a fever pitch, the first day's stage commenced under the theme "Yell for JAPAN."
Under the concept of "sending cheers for Japan's new start through the power of music," artists who have previously supported Japan in various ways participated as the "Japanese National Music Team." All nine artists (in order of appearance) – Sukima Switch, Funky Kato, Naoto Inti Raymi, Kaori Kishitani, The Gospellers, Yuzu, Kazuyoshi Saito, Ukasukaji, and Ikimonogakari – delivered passionate performances. Music director was Seiji Kameda, a music producer who also performs as a bass player. He participated in the performances himself while also serving as the event's "Music Representative of Japan Director."
Fitting for the National Stadium stage, Naoto Inti Raymi performed the Japanese version of the Coca-Cola FIFA World Cup Official Anthem for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: "The World is ours!" for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, Coca-Cola FIFA World Cup Official Anthem Japanese Version. Yuzu performed NHK's Athens Olympics broadcast theme song "Bridge of Glory (Kakehashi)". Furthermore, the "new unit" Ukasukaji, featuring Kazutoshi Sakurai and GAKU-MC, passionately sang the Japan National Football Team support song "Victory Smile with You". After the closing act, Ikimono-gakari, finished their stage performance, all participating artists gathered on stage. Amidst a sea of light from wireless penlights—each handed out to every audience member, capable of emitting multiple colors—and spectacular fireworks, the curtain closed on the first day's performance.
On the 29th, under the concept "Japan to the World," four acts active both domestically and internationally—SEKAI NO OWARI, Perfume, MAN WITH A MISSION, and L'Arc-en-Ciel—took the stage, marking the final moments of this sacred place of music.
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