Nippon Music Foundation

Nippon Music Foundation was established in 1974 with the objective to "enhance music culture" in Japan. 

In 1994, the Foundation started the "Instrument Loan Project" through which the Foundation has strived to make international contributions by loaning the top quality stringed instruments acquired by the Foundation. The Foundation now owns 21 string instruments (15 Stradivarius violins, 1 viola, 3 cellos and 2 Guarneri del Gesu violins) and as the custodian of these world cultural assets, maintains them for future generations and loans them gratis to internationally-active musicians regardless of their nationalities.

The Foundation organises benefit concerts worldwide where more than 10 Stradivarius instruments are played by the recipients. These concerts offer unique opportunities for classical music lovers to fully enjoy the timbre of the superb stringed instruments. The proceeds are donated to the local organisations to be used for projects to promote classical music and other worthy causes.

The Foundation also provides grants to support a variety of classical music projects including concerts, workshops and seminars organised by local organisations.