Kansai Student Acapella Contest Held at Czech Pavilion, Osaka-Kansai Expo
On October 1, Daisue Construction hosted the “Kansai Student Acapella Contest” at Daisue Hall inside the Czech Pavilion at the Osaka-Kansai Expo, with sponsorship from FC Osaka.
A total of nine teams from eight Kansai universities took the stage. The winning performance came from “Dear,” a five-member group from Ritsumeikan University, who impressed the judges with their rendition of Ken Hirai’s “Hitomi wo Tojite” (Close Your Eyes). The group received a trophy and the opportunity to perform during halftime at an FC Osaka match in November.
The contest was designed to make use of the hall’s advanced acoustic performance, achieved with sound-absorbing wall materials, and to provide performance opportunities for student amateur acapella groups, which are rarely available.
Judges included well-known entertainers Yoko Oginome, Ai Shinozaki, Atsuko Hashiyasume, and Ryota. In the final round, designer Junko Koshino, Kazunori Murao (President of Daisue Construction), and Yusuke Kondo (President of FC Osaka) joined the judging panel.
The event also featured surprise performances, with Daisue employees singing acapella and Yoko Oginome delivering one of her hit songs. A special dialogue between former Osaka Governor Ichiro Matsui and President Murao highlighted the Czech Pavilion, which was completed in just eight months. Murao recalled: “We transported traditional Bohemian glass by ship to Japan, and Czech and Japanese craftsmen built this wonderful structure together based on mutual trust.”
