TOKYO, November 6, 2005 - AIDS Awareness Japan Tour 2005, a series of modern and fusion jazz music concerts, concluded three evenings of lectures targeting the Japanese public, and in particular students and youth.
Expressing his gratitude to YDP Japan for their active participation in this series, the World Bank Vice-President in Japan made an opening lecture before the concert on November 3. He outlined the situation of HIV/AIDS from a global perspective, emphasizing the importance of scaling up support to African countries to prevent its rapid spread.
The World Bank, along with Japan Airlines, Ajinomoto and other major Japanese firms and organizations, co-sponsored the concerts, together with the Red Shoes Foundation. Eight youth organizations, including YDP Japan Network, recently launched an AIDS awareness campaign named "wAds 2005", or World AIDS Day Series, with a number of events scheduled in November and December. They participated in the concerts, opened booths in the lobby of concert hall, and made presentations to the audience reporting their findings through initiating AIDS awareness campaign.
Preceding the concerts in Nihon University (November 5 and 6), a message from Ms. Debrework Zewdie, Director of the World Bank's Global HIV/AIDS Program, was delivered to the audience, after the special lecture about HIV/AIDS given by Professor Shigemasa Sawada, Medical School of Nihon University. More than 250 people gathered each day to listen to the music and lectures, and to reflect on the impact of HIV/AIDS.
The tour was led by Mr. Teruo Nakamura, a pioneer Japanese jazz bass player and producer. During this Japan Tour, he played with his band "The Rising Sun", joined by famous jazz players such as Jay Rodriguez, Barry Finnerty, Victor Jones, Shiro Mori, and Joe Berger.
More information about the World Bank's programs on HIV/AIDS
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