Scolded constantly by my 4-year-old grandchild

The rock 'n' roll chorus group "ONE VOICE" isn't just a club activity or hobby gathering. Their goal is to perform live and at events as artists, and to visit schools, hospitals, and senior care facilities to deliver their singing voices. Through these activities, they want to give energy and courage to a wide range of generations, from children to grandchildren. This is the members' heartfelt desire.

This spirit first spread to the members' own families. Covering songs known across generations like "Be Kind to People" (The Blue Hearts), "Voice of the Sea" (BEGIN), and "Funky Monkey Baby" (Carol), the group uses song and chorus as a medium to foster family bonds.

Like Mr. Tamaki, many other members now practice songs with their grandchildren and children. It's common to see family members rushing to the stage to cheer them on. Everyone always seems amazed by the impressive sight of their grandparents performing. Some members mention being featured on local TV programs and in newspapers, leading to more frequent contact from family and relatives. Their lives seem considerably livelier now.

Maehana Tomokatsu (65), who teaches sanshin at local schools and senior centers, is one such member. Maehana has nine grandchildren ranging in age from 22 down to 1. Having lost his wife eight years ago, he now lives alone. However, he started using LINE to stay in touch with the chorus members, and through it, he's also connected with his children and grandchildren. "Grandpa, I'm still alive today," he writes on LINE—a recent daily ritual.

Some members joined the chorus group after their sons or daughters, who knew about it, encouraged them. Teruyo Kawanabe (75), who runs a cafe with her daughter, was urged by her daughter, "You don't have any hobbies, so why not try it?" She says she used to be a recluse, finding it a chore to go out and interact with people. Now, however, she eagerly anticipates the weekly practices and is a real mood-maker in the chorus group.

Masako Tomikoshi (74) was encouraged by her musician son. She happily recounts how, when she first started, they would go to karaoke boxes together, where her son would coach her singing. Lately, seeing his mother perform on increasingly larger stages, her son has become envious. "He always tells me, 'Mom, you're doing something amazing, so I have to do my best too,'" she says, smiling constantly.

■Same Goal, Different Approaches?

The chorus group "ONE VOICE" has two couples participating. One of them is the Itokazu couple, Tsuyoshi (67) and Hideko (65). Both share singing as a hobby and are serious about choir and opera. Furthermore, they perform professionally as the duo "Tsuyoshi & Hideko," appearing in hotel dinner shows.

Surprisingly, despite this devoted couple image, they rarely do things together outside of singing. They even practice songs separately at home. Their daily routine includes a roughly one-hour morning walk to memorize lyrics, but they only walk together until they reach the front door. After that, they split left and right, each taking a different route alone to memorize their parts.

Yet, this "close yet distant" dynamic between the Itokazu couple seems to draw people in and create a soothing atmosphere. When they host home parties in their garden, many friends reportedly visit. Even as a married couple, being glued together 24/7 can lead to various conflicts. Conversely, having no common ground at all would likely feel lonely when spending your later years together. In that sense, the Itokazu couple were fortunate to have singing as a shared hobby and interest. Thanks to this, they've succeeded in building an exquisite marital relationship.

Thus, having even one shared topic or space within family or marital relationships, and being at the center of it, seems to yield significant benefits. For the chorus members, songs bridging generations fulfill this role.

■Potential for Expansion from Family to Family