The New York Times: Hiroshi Yoshimura’s Environmental Music Is Enchanting a New Generation

JACCC is honored to be featured in a recent New York Times article highlighting the lasting impact of Hiroshi Yoshimura, a pioneering composer of kankyō ongaku (environmental music). The article explores Yoshimura’s growing influence worldwide and the recent reissue of his 1987 album Flora, which continues to captivate new audiences.

As part of this resurgence, JACCC’s Executive Creative Director, Rani de Leon, shared insights on how Yoshimura’s music aligns with JACCC’s approach to immersive cultural experiences. In 2023, JACCC hosted a kankyō ongaku event in Little Tokyo, where hundreds of attendees moved through performances staged in our theater, plaza, and Japanese garden. “At JACCC, a concept that we generally try to explore with all our presentations is to blur the lines between the performer and the audience,” said de Leon. “This music naturally fit into that sort of approach.”

Yoshimura’s work remains a testament to the beauty of sound and space, and JACCC is proud to be part of the ongoing celebration of his artistic vision. Read the full article in The New York Times.