Japan Music Trades Magazine

Masako Koyama worked closely with the Japan Music Trades Magazine founder, Mr. Hiyama. The magazine was launched in 1962 with the goal of sharing stories about the instruments and people in the industry to help bring the industry together. Koyama-san joined these efforts in 1976 and was soon sent to the Chicago NAMM Show, which was rare for a women reporter to make such a journey in those days. She was also covering the music industry in Czechoslovakia in 1989 when the change of socialist regime took place, which was a peaceful revolution and an historic event for her to witness f

Shiko Onodera is the President of the Japan Music Trades Magazine. This monthly magazine was established in 1962 by Mr. Rikuro Hiyama to support the music industry and to encourage sharing of ideas. When Mr. Hiyama approached John Majeski, the editor of The Music Trades Magazine (established in 1890 in New York) asking if he could use the name Japan Music Trades, Mr. Majeski cordially agreed. Shiko-san has followed Mr. Hiyama's vision and has helped expand the scope by incorporating new technologies such as a digital format for the magazine and webinars to bring people together to

Yukio Sakurai studied photography and art at the university in Tokyo before his uncle asked if Yukio would come to work for him. His uncle was the founder of the Japan Music Trade Magazine and Yukio was very interested to work in the music industry, which in publishing required his training as an artist. Yukio joined the magazine in 1963 and rose to become the chief editor and a pioneer in the industry as a supporter of music education and as an advocate for music and music making.

Masaru Sawano began playing guitar as a young student when he first heard the Beatles.  He took a liking to music and the first job he took after college is the one he still has, working for Japan Music Trades.  Although today he is president of the magazine and he started out as a part time employee.  Just like the fact that Masaru-san still enjoys playing the guitar, he also still is passionate about the music products industry and being a part of it.  During his interview, Masaru reflected on the history of the 40th anniversary of the Japan Music Trades Magazine and the role it