【Piano Teachers Association of Japan (PTNA)】 ~ Developing an ecosystem for human resource development through music education ~ The Piano Teachers Association of Japan signs a bequest agreement with Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank to expand acceptance of bequest donations
Piano Teachers Association of Japan (PTNA) Press Release: August 28, 2025 ~Toward the development of an ecosystem for talent development through music education~ The All Japan Piano Teachers Association signs a bequest agreement with Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank to expand bequest donation acceptance. For those considering leaving a legacy to music, we can now provide specialized support for writing and executing wills.
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dramatically changing the structure of society, working styles, and the very nature of education. In these times of change, there is growing global interest in human resource development that fosters comprehensive “human capabilities,” such as creativity, empathy, and flexibility to embrace diversity. In 2022, the United Nations officially approved the IDGs (Inner Development Goals), a framework for encouraging individual growth toward achieving the SDGs. The IDGs are attracting international attention as the foundation for sustainable societies and businesses.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/75391/30/75391-30-d6ee996ccfd9e2a32d2de9d07b4994a4-1299×721.png IDGs 5 Categories and 23 Skills (from https://idgs-jp.net/) Music education is an initiative that fosters the inner growth of people, which is necessary in these rapidly changing times. PTNA, which will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2026, has not only produced talented people who are active in the music industry, but also many who have demonstrated leadership in a variety of fields, leveraging the knowledge they gained through music education. Over its more than half-century history, many of these talented people have grown into leaders who will nurture the next generation, building a talent development ecosystem. This agreement is positioned as an effort to secure long-term financial resources to support an ecosystem of talent development through music education, which is necessary in today’s world. In recent years, the music industry has been experiencing an aging workforce, and of the more than 18,000 PTNA members nationwide, primarily piano instructors, approximately 60% are over 50 years old. Additionally, with the spread of end-of-life planning and financial literacy, an increasing number of piano teachers and other music instructors are also worrying about how to utilize their assets. In fact, we have received inquiries about writing wills, including bequests, and bequests of pianos, with comments such as, “I’d like the assets I’ve built up as a music teacher to be used to help nurture the next generation,” and “This piano has been a big part of my life, so rather than just selling it, is there any way I can make it useful to someone?” In order to meet these needs, circulate assets to the next generation in a way that is beneficial to society, and develop an ecosystem for human resource development through music education, PTNA has been improving and strengthening its system for accepting bequest donations since 2020. With the signing of an agreement with Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, which supports the option of leaving assets for social contribution through testamentary trusts (*), we will further promote bequest donations from the music industry. (※) For details on testamentary trusts, please contact Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/75391/30/75391-30-af8c2723d918c1546c5bda12e18af662-1280×720.png A bequest is a donation of all or part of an individual’s assets to a specific individual or organization upon their death. Bequests to PTNA are used in consultation with the donor to select from a variety of areas, including supporting the development of young pianists through competition awards, contributing to the community through outreach concerts at schools and promoting street piano, and supporting research on music education. Since accurate drafting of a legally binding will requires specialized knowledge, collaboration between the organization receiving the donation and experts and specialized institutions is important. Going forward, when people considering making a bequest consult with PTNA, we will connect them to a specialized office at Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank depending on the content of their request, allowing them to leave their donation wishes in their will with greater peace of mind. ◆Signing Ceremony A signing ceremony was held at the Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Nihonbashi Sales Headquarters on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, the date of the agreement.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/75391/30/75391-30-311cf18ab5088acc307c8a9dd971fc25-1299×731.jpg The signing took place in front of the large safe deposit box on the first basement floor of the Mitsui Main Building, which has been designated an Important Cultural Property for its historical background and design. In the space in front of this large safe deposit box, salon concerts are often held with the aim of providing performance opportunities for young musicians, such as music university students and graduates, and for citizens to experience art in a cultural asset.The signing ceremony was a symbolic one that deeply conveyed the significance of exchanging the agreement with a bank that values the inheritance of cultural value. ◆Inquiries At PTNA, we accept consultations on not only cash bequests, but also general bequests that include appreciable assets such as real estate and securities. If you are considering making a bequest to support the future of music activities or music education, or if you are a professional who supports people who wish to make bequests, please feel free to contact us.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/75391/30/75391-30-f02043cc2cdbb62efa6a55e2aab6b92f-891×505.png All Japan Piano Teachers Association (General Incorporated
Association) ・TEL: 03-3944-1583 ・Reception hours: Weekdays 10:00~17:00 ・HP:https://corporate.piano.or.jp/index.html ・Request for information: https://forms.gle/T8aosqq2uZyLtPxa9 ・Inquiries:
https://forms.gle/XqPrxQyjdEnF94ww7
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/75391/30/75391-30-5530fda45ac40b017c6e410c3b1b6603-400×197.png Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Ltd. Nihonbashi Sales Department ・Address: 2-1-1 Nihonbashi Muromachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0022 ・TEL:
0120-579-100／03-3270-9511 ・Reception hours: Weekdays 9:00-17:00 ・HP: https://mappc.smtb.jp/b/smtb/info/100/ ◆Piano Teachers Association of Japan (PTNA) This is a music education network centered on piano teachers. Centered on the profession of piano teacher, we connect people through music and engage in a wide range of activities to enrich each individual’s life. We have built connections between over 18,000 members and piano students nationwide, primarily their students. We have established over 670 locations across all
prefectures, and have expanded Japan’s largest piano competition, joint recitals, outreach programs, and music database services. Our competition’s most challenging division, the “Special Grade,” has produced many young pianists who have gone on to compete in
international competitions, contributing to the development of leading figures in the music and art world. In recent years, we have sought to realize “richness” through collaborations with various organizations, including local governments, companies, and NPOs. We have promoted support for local communities and collaboration with school education through programs such as sending “Special Grade” pianists to perform.
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