The event will be held for the third consecutive year—its third edition! “RockCorps supported by JT 2016” is finally underway!

This week, on Tuesday, April 26, we held a press conference for “RockCorps supported by JT 2016.” After first coming to Japan in 2014, it has been confirmed that the event will be held for the third consecutive year—its third edition! SUNNY SIDE UP will again serve as the lead organizer of the executive committee this year. This year, it will be held on Saturday, September 3, 2016, at Azuma General Gymnasium (Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture). In addition, starting Tuesday, April 26—the day of the press conference—we began recruiting participants for the volunteer events for “RockCorps supported by JT 2016”!

Starting this third year, an official ambassador role has been established, and Minami Takahashi has been appointed!

Minami Takahashi, who appeared on stage, shared her passionate thoughts: “It’s a huge responsibility to be RockCorps’ first official ambassador in Japan, but I’m honored. I’ll work to help many people—especially those in their 20s, my generation—learn about the RockCorps initiative!!” We also made a surprise announcement that, in addition to serving as the official ambassador, Ms. Takahashi will perform on stage as an artist! Though surprised by the sudden news, she looked thrilled by the unexpected announcement and said with determination, “I’ll train hard until September!”

Carly Rae Jepsen is confirmed to appear at the “Celebration (live event)”!

We received a video message from Carly! “I think it’s really meaningful that participants can share their volunteer work and celebrate together in the same space! At the Celebration, I’m sure everyone will be in full celebration mode with a great sense of accomplishment, so I want to put on a stage that makes you want to dance!”

Here, we would like to introduce RockCorps once again for those who already know it and for those hearing about it for the first time.

What is “RockCorps”?
“RockCorps” is a new form of social contribution that uses the power of music to connect “companies,” “local communities,” and “people.” It proposes “a way to contribute to society that is fun and easy to join,” and promotes participation in volunteer activities. Launched with its first event in the United States in 2005, “RockCorps” has grown into a major social-impact movement, with participation in 10 countries worldwide by more than 160,000 people, generating over 600,000 total hours of volunteer work. Participants who complete four hours of volunteering can attend the artist music event called the “Celebration (live event),” which has previously featured globally popular artists such as Lady Gaga, Rihanna, and Maroon 5. “RockCorps” aims to make volunteering part of a lifestyle—like sports, music, fashion, and games—so that social contribution becomes more familiar in young people’s daily lives.

◆“RockCorps supported by JT 2016”How to participate

◆About the volunteer events
Following 2014 and 2015, the volunteer events will be held in three Tohoku prefectures (Fukushima, Iwate, and Miyagi) and the Greater Tokyo area (Tokyo and Kanagawa). Over approximately four months—from Sunday, May 22 to Wednesday, August 31, 2016—we will offer 24 types of volunteer programs, with the support of 23 volunteer organizations and local governments, enabling 4,000 people to participate in four hours of volunteering. In 2016, six new volunteer organizations and local governments have joined. (As of April 26, 2016)
Volunteer activities are planned across three categories—support for local industries, environmental restoration, and daily-life support—offering opportunities unique to RockCorps supported by JT 2016 that many people can join with ease.

◆RockCorps supported by JT: Activities to date
Across the past two years of social contribution activities carried out by “RockCorps supported by JT,” a total of 280 volunteer events were held. 7,982 people participated from across Japan, spanning 42 prefectures, generating 31,928 hours of volunteer work. In disaster-affected areas, activities have included cleaning coastal areas of Fukushima Prefecture—an area equivalent to about 45 Tokyo Domes—and restoring as many as 15,000 disaster photos.

Volunteer recruitment for “RockCorps supported by JT 2016” is now open on the official website. Eligible volunteer events are those held from Sunday, May 22 to Wednesday, August 31, 2016: 24 program types, for 4,000 participants. Applications for other periods will be announced sequentially on the official website, so please be sure to check regularly!

Everyone, please bring your friends and join us at the Volunteer Celebration!

Official website and official social media are here!
RockCorps supported by JT 2016 Official Website
You’ll want to join once you read it! RockCorps Participation Guide
Official Facebook Page　
Official Twitter Account　
Official Instagram Account