Around the world, Japanese have been competing and winning prize after prize. From the world of classical music to intense, if lighthearted, forms of competition, Japan's new international face is composed in part of the many globe-trotting, contest contenders. Clearly, the new generation of Japanese is not afraid of a challenge, of many different kinds, and is willing to travel abroad to seek fame, if not exactly fortune.
The most prestigious of Japan's recent international competitors is Ms. Mayuko Kamio. This year, at age 21, she won the violin category of the International Tchaikovsky Competition, held only once every four years. Having had difficulties in selling tickets before the results were announced, her concerts now are sold out, and are likely to be for some time. In Japan, you cannot find better advertising than a "No. 1" from a foreign contest.
Ms. Kamio's success was not the first time a Japanese won the contest, nor is she the youngest; but her success speaks volumes about the respect accorded to classical music here, and marks the beginning of a noteworthy career. Though Europe may still be the center of classical music, her victory indicates how internationalized the classical music world has become, stretching definitively to include Japan.
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