Discovering the next generation of DTM creators from Okinawa! The finals of the 2nd Okinawa Junior and Senior High School DTM Composition Contest were held, with the grand prize awarded to “Arrest Call” by Yuma Yonezu, a first-year student at Showa

[Discovering the next generation of DTM creators from Okinawa!] The finals of the 2nd Okinawa Junior and Senior High School DTM
Composition Contest were held, with the grand prize awarded to “Arrest Call” by Yuma Yonezu, a first-year student at Showa Pharmaceutical University Senior High School! ​ DTM Okinawa Press Release: October 23, 2025 [Discovering the next generation of DTM creators from Okinawa!] The finals of the “2nd Okinawa Junior and Senior High School DTM Composition Contest” were held, with the grand prize awarded to “Arrest Call” by Yuma Yonezu, a first-year student at Showa
Pharmaceutical University Senior High School! Seven winning songs were announced from a total of 78 songs by 35 groups of junior and senior high school DTM creators who represent Okinawa’s future. Fabulous prizes, including collaboration opportunities with supporting companies, have also been announced. DTM Okinawa (organized by Akira Yasuda) and Akane Creation Co., Ltd. (Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture; CEO: Asahi Shikina) held the finals of the “2nd Okinawa DTM
Composition Contest for Junior and Senior High School Students” at the Okinawa Prefectural Museum and Art Museum Auditorium on Sunday, October 5, 2025. After rigorous judging, the Grand Prix and other award winners have been decided. 1. What is DTM (Desktop Music)? / What is DTM Okinawa? DTM is an abbreviation for Desk Top Music, and refers to music production using digital tools such as computers and smartphones. DTM Okinawa was launched in 2023 by bassist Akira Yasuda and Miyakojima-born artist Isamu Shimoji, inspired by a DTM contest held for elementary, junior high, and high school students in Okinawa Prefecture. Currently, with the support of Akane Creation Co., Ltd., they are exploring the possibilities of new music originating from Okinawa, combining the experience of veteran musicians with the creativity of young DTM creators. 2. Contest Results Summary During the submission period from Tuesday, July 1, 2025 to Sunday, August 31, 2025, 35 junior and senior high school students (groups) living on Okinawa Island and the islands of Miyako and Ishigaki submitted a total of 78 original songs. Then, in September, a rigorous preliminary round was held by a panel of five judges: Okinawa-based artists Shinji, Takayuki, Naz Yamada, and Isamu Shimoji, as well as Akira Yasuda, head of DTM Okinawa. Ten songs passed the selection process. At the final competition held on Sunday, October 5th, the following applicants and songs were selected as winners after the final judging by five judges and audience voting. Awards School/Grade Name Work name Grand Prix First-year student at Showa Pharmaceutical University High School Yuma Komesu (Komesu Yuuma) “Arrest Call” Runner-up Yaeyama Commercial High School, 2nd Year Student Masuda Taichi (Masuda Taichi) “Cryogenic Animals” Okinawa Environmental Conservation Institute (KHK) Award Futenma High School First-year student Akamine Aki “Capture” Okinawa Environmental Conservation Research Institute (KHK) Award Kaiho High School, 3rd year student Ryuto Yamakawa (Yamakawa Ryuto) “Evening rain” Special Jury Award Furukata Junior High School, 3rd Year Higashionna Nagito (Higashionna Nagito) “Xeno 6” Special Jury Award Shuri High School 2nd year student Tomori Miyuu (Tomori Miyu) “Planet” Audience Award Urasoe Technical High School, 3rd year student Ichita Uehara (Uehara Ichita) “DayTimeDream” Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki was also present to watch the finals.
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3. Prizes and Consolation Prizes The Grand Prize winner will receive an Amazon gift card worth 100,000 yen. All other prize winners will also receive Amazon gift cards. In addition, the winners received the following music production rights in collaboration with Okinawan companies and organizations as a secondary prize. • Okinawa JTB Co., Ltd. Dance Music Composition Rights for “Mori no Nigiwai” Performance (held January 24, 2026) • RBCi Radio Music Shower Jingle Composition Rights (scheduled for December 2025 / 1 month) • Jump Group, a dealer of high-quality used cars, acquires rights to compose TV and radio commercial songs (scheduled to begin broadcasting in mid-January 2026) • Akane Creation Co., Ltd.: Rights to compose background music for in-vehicle public service announcements on Honjima route buses (scheduled for one year from April 2026) 4. Thoughts on hosting the contest/workshop and future prospects In Okinawa, the preservation of cultural arts such as traditional folk songs and dance is actively promoted. However, until now, there has been insufficient effort to discover and develop young talent with the DTM skills essential for modern music production. DTM Okinawa will continue preparations to hold this contest next year and beyond in order to nurture and support the next generation of DTM creators in Okinawa. In addition, this year’s workshop for DTM beginners was held in the morning of the finals, with approximately 50 participants. We hope to hold more workshops next year in order to further increase the DTM population in Okinawa Prefecture. 5. Sponsorship and Support Okinawa Environmental Conservation Research Institute, Yashima Gakuen University
International High School, Bank of the Ryukyus, Southern Maeda Dental Clinic, Toyota Okinawa Motor Corporation, Airent Co., Ltd., Ale Create Co., Ltd., Ryukyu Nikumaru, Secom Ryukyu Co., Ltd., Okinawa JTB Corporation, Koekisha Co., Ltd., Remoto Certified Public Tax Accountants’ Corporation Okinawa Prefecture, Okinawa Television Broadcasting, Ryukyu Broadcasting, Ryukyu Asahi Broadcasting, NHK Okinawa Broadcasting Station, Ryukyu Shimpo, Okinawa Times, FM Okinawa, Radio Okinawa 6. Related websites • DTM Okinawa Homepage: https://dtm.okinawa/ • DTM Okinawa Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/dtmokinawa/ 7. Contact information for this matter Email: info@dtm.okinawa Phone: 090-6856-5348 Yo Yasuda, Director of DTM Okinawa Email: dtm@akane-ad.co.jp TEL: 098-862-8280 FAX: 098-862-8891 1-19-29 Mekari, Naha City, 900-0004, Japan Okinawa Junior and Senior High School DTM Composition Contest Sponsorship Office Akane Creation Co., Ltd., Contact: Nakamura & Tamaki More For more information about this release Press release attachments