Please read the following rules carefully before submitting your application. By completing the application process, participants agree to comply with all competition regulations.
Applicants of all nationalities are welcome to participate.
Participants may enter multiple categories within the same instrument by paying an additional entry fee of JPY 8,800 for each additional category. Entries for different instruments are considered separate applications and require a separate entry fee of JPY 13,200 for each instrument.
Participants may choose either Venue Audition or Online Video Audition.
Venue Audition participants will perform live on stage.
Online Video Audition participants must submit a performance video within the designated submission period.
Please ensure that all application information is accurate.
Age Groups
Group I — 7 & Under
Group II — 8–9
Group III — 10–11
Group IV — 12–13
Group V — 14–15
Group VI — 16–17
Group VII — 18 & Above
Competition Instruments
The competition is open to the following Instruments:
Keyboard
Classical Vocal
Pop Vocal
Strings
Guitar
Woodwinds
Traditional Chinese Instruments
Each Instrument includes one or more Piece Categories. Please see the Piece Categories page for the available Piece Categories for each Instrument.
The Japan Preliminary Round offers two participation options: Venue Audition and Online Video Audition.
Venue Audition participants will perform live before the jury.
Online Video Audition participants must submit a performance video via a Google Drive shared link.
Participants may enter additional categories within the same instrument by paying the applicable additional entry fee. Entries for different instruments are considered separate applications.
Performances must be from memory, unless otherwise approved by the organizer.
Participants requiring piano accompaniment must arrange their own accompanist.
Except for the piano, participants are responsible for providing their own instruments and any equipment required for their performance.
Each category requires one performance piece.
If entering multiple categories, a different piece must be performed for each entry.
Original compositions are accepted.
If a performance exceeds the prescribed time limit, the jury reserves the right to stop the performance at its discretion.
The submitted video must feature the applicant's own performance.
Video editing is not permitted.
Upload your video to Google Drive and set the sharing permission to "Anyone with the link can view."
Do not delete, replace, or modify the video until the judging process has been completed.
The performance video must comply with the specified performance time limit.
The performance time limits below are provided as a guideline to ensure the smooth running of the competition when there are a large number of participants.
If the number of participants is small, performers may be allowed to exceed the recommended time limits.
However, if necessary for the smooth operation of the competition, the jury reserves the right to conclude a performance at approximately the time limits indicated below.
Instrumental Divisions
Group I — 3 min
Group II — 3 min
Group III — 3 min
Group IV — 3 min
Group V — 4 min
Group VI — 4 min
Group VII — 5 min
Classical Vocal Division
Group I — 3 min
Group II — 3 min
Group III — 3 min
Group IV — 3 min
Group V — 4 min
Group VI — 4 min
Group VII — 5 min
Awards
Awards and certificates will be presented based on the official results of the Japan Preliminary Round.
Awards may include:
First Prize
Second Prize
Third Prize
Excellence Award
Grand Final Qualifiers
Outstanding Teacher Awards
The Organizing Committee reserves the right to determine the final awards and Grand Final qualification based on the official judging results.
Participants who qualify in the Japan Preliminary Round may be invited to participate in the International Grand Final.
Grand Final qualification will be determined based on the official judging results and the number of participants in each Instrument.
Participation in the Grand Final is voluntary.
Detailed information regarding the Grand Final, including eligibility, registration procedures, schedule, venue, and participation requirements, will be published on the official website before the conclusion of the Japan Preliminary Round.