Foreign Minister's Commendation Held for Mr. Kunihiko Murai
2025/2/18
On August 1, 2024 (Japan Standard Time), the Government of Japan announced the recipients of its 2024 Foreign Minister’s Commendation. From the jurisdiction of the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles, Mr. Kunihiko Murai, Composer and Founder of Alfa Records, was awarded, and its conferment ceremony was held on February 11, 2025, at the official residence of the Consul General of Japan Kenko Sone.
The Foreign Minister's Commendations are awarded to individuals and groups of outstanding achievements in international fields, to acknowledge their contribution to the promotion of friendship between Japan and other countries. The Commendation also aims to promote the understanding and support of the Japanese public for their activities.
The following are Mr. Murai’s contributions that have resulted in its being awarded the Foreign Minister’s Commendation:
Kunihiko Murai was one of the first to look beyond Japan's domestic market to overseas markets, contributing to Japan-U.S. exchanges in the music and entertainment industry for over half a century through his compositions and business. He was a pioneer in acquiring copyrights from foreign labels, including those in the U.S., and in popularizing overseas music in Japan. Utilizing experience gained from his early business dealings with countries outside of Japan, he and Los Angeles-based record company A&M Records successfully launched the Japanese music group Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO) worldwide, at a time when music was not yet digitalized, and the term "J-POP" did not even exist. He paved the way for Japan-U.S. goodwill in the music industry by bringing cutting-edge Japanese music overseas.
Foreign Minister’s Commendation has been presented to Mr. Murai in recognition of his significant contribution to mutual understanding between Japan and the US, especially in the music industry.
The Foreign Minister's Commendations are awarded to individuals and groups of outstanding achievements in international fields, to acknowledge their contribution to the promotion of friendship between Japan and other countries. The Commendation also aims to promote the understanding and support of the Japanese public for their activities.
The following are Mr. Murai’s contributions that have resulted in its being awarded the Foreign Minister’s Commendation:
Kunihiko Murai was one of the first to look beyond Japan's domestic market to overseas markets, contributing to Japan-U.S. exchanges in the music and entertainment industry for over half a century through his compositions and business. He was a pioneer in acquiring copyrights from foreign labels, including those in the U.S., and in popularizing overseas music in Japan. Utilizing experience gained from his early business dealings with countries outside of Japan, he and Los Angeles-based record company A&M Records successfully launched the Japanese music group Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO) worldwide, at a time when music was not yet digitalized, and the term "J-POP" did not even exist. He paved the way for Japan-U.S. goodwill in the music industry by bringing cutting-edge Japanese music overseas.
Foreign Minister’s Commendation has been presented to Mr. Murai in recognition of his significant contribution to mutual understanding between Japan and the US, especially in the music industry.
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