From August 1 to 3, the Okayama University "Children and Music" research team hosted the "Okayama International Classical Japanese Instrument Student Festival". The festival was held at the university's 50th Anniversary Hall and brought together students and instructors studying Classical Japanese instruments from around the world for international exchange with Okayama University students and children in Okayama Prefecture.

Participants included 20 students from National University of Singapore, University of the Philippines, Gentilly Intercommunal Conservatory in France, and Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory, as well as 40 of Okayama University students and 30 elementary and middle school students from Okayama Prefecture. They engaged in koto workshops, group practice sessions, and a student competition on the second day. On the final day, they performed pieces such as "Tsuchi Ningyou," "Sarashi-fu Tegoto," "Tsuru no Koe," and "Rokudan no Shirabe " at a festival concert for the local community.

In opening the concert, President NASU Yasutomo gave a speech, saying “I hope that Okayama University will become an ‘international hub for Classical Japanese instrument education’ that will play a role in international cultural exchange and nurturing the next generation through Japanese musical instruments,” and the performance of the participants and the management of the research team were increasingly motivated.

During the forum held between performances, children asked overseas students questions like "Why did you decide to play the koto?" The discussion about the appeal and identity of the Japanese musical instrument provided a fruitful opportunity to consider the essence of Japanese musical culture.

Based on the results of the festival, the research team will continue to conduct project research on how to build knowledge and values for multicultural conviviality and how to foster the next generation for Japanese musical instrument culture.