Sound Design

New Design Paradise

Appearance on Fuji TV’s “New Design Paradise” as the designer tasked with redesigning the “school chime.”

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2006

More News

2026/03

Media & Book

Featured in Major National Newspapers

Interviews with and publications by Takashi Kokubo have appeared in leading Japanese newspapers, including Yomiuri Shimbun, Mainichi Shimbun, Asahi Shimbun, Tokyo Shimbun, Nikkei, and Okinawa Times. His philosophy of sound design and the importance of sound in society have been widely introduced.

2026/03

Media & Book

Featured in The Nihon Keizai Shimbun Book Review

Takashi Kokubo’s book Designing with Sound was featured in The Nihon Keizai Shimbun’s book review section, highlighting the impact of sound on space and human consciousness, as well as his design philosophy.

2026/03

Media & Book

Featured in The Asahi Shimbun

Takashi Kokubo’s book Designing with Sound was introduced in The Asahi Shimbun’s book review section, highlighting the mechanisms and design philosophy behind sounds that function within society, including the emergency earthquake alert sound.

2026/03

Media & Book

Featured in Tokyo Shimbun

An interview with Takashi Kokubo appeared in Tokyo Shimbun, introducing the background of the emergency earthquake alert sound and his philosophy of designing “social sounds” that influence human behavior and psychology.

2026/03

Media & Book

Featured in The Mainichi Shimbun

An interview with Takashi Kokubo was published in The Mainichi Shimbun’s book review section, “This Week’s Bookshelf: Interview with the Author.” Through his new book, the article introduces his philosophy of sound design that functions within society, as well as his journey as an environmental musician.

2026/03

Media & Book

Featured in The Yomiuri Shimbun

Takashi Kokubo was featured in the culture section of The Yomiuri Shimbun. The article highlights his background as the creator of the emergency earthquake alert sound and the design philosophy behind “sounds that induce tension,” discussed in his new book.

2026/03

Live & Event

“Shin Naminori-Fune Retreat” Held at SAGE Studio

The log house studio “SAGE Studio” of Studio Ion was newly reborn, and the “Shin Naminori-Fune Retreat” was held there. Participants experienced deep meditation through light, sound, fragrance, and vibration.

2026/02

Media & Book

Appearance on “Legend Channel”

Takashi Kokubo appeared on “Legend Channel.” At his creative base, SAGE Studio, he discussed his 3D recording system, his philosophy of sound, and the background behind the creation of the emergency earthquake alert sound.

2026/02

Media & Book

Junichi Okada Navigates “GROWING REED”

Why express the sounds of nature through musical instruments? Appearing on “GROWING REED” on February 22!

2025/03

Gaiaphilia

A collaboration between Yumiko Morioka and Takashi Kokubo. A new masterpiece of Japanese environmental music, rooted in nature and imbued with deep emotion and transcendence.

2023/05

MAGONE

Ambient × J-Rock Film Score. Eight tracks including GLAY, officially selected in two international film festival soundtrack categories; created by director Tanabe and the composers.

2023/02

Music For A Cosmic Garden

Takashi Kokubo & Andrea Esperti’s collaboration album Music For A Cosmic Garden is a healing work that fuses field-recorded nature soundscapes with meditative ambient music.

2021/07

Sound Scapes/Oto No Aru Fuukei-

Takashi Kokubo combines natural field recordings from 50 countries with cutting-edge visual technology. 5.1ch surround Blu-ray.

2021/

GAIA -BREATHING MIX- (3D-Somesthesia Sound)2021

Final installment of the Brain-Fitness series. GAIA infrasonic mix. Birds and water with synths drifting through space. Cyberphonic recording, headphones recommended.

2021/

VALIS　(3D-Somesthesia Sound)Remastered 2021

Brain-Fitness, 2nd Volume. Fractal soundfields that regulate the nervous system. Cyberphonic recording. Headphones recommended.

2021/

GIGA　(3D-Somesthesia Sound)Remastered 2021

Brain-Fitness Trilogy Vol.1. DNA-helix themed 3D sound to activate the brain. Headphones recommended. Includes “EVOLUTION IN URBANLIFE.”

2019

KANKYO ONGAKU

Light In The Attic’s Japan Special Edition Becomes Grammy Nominee: Takashi Kokubo and the Definitive Survey of Japanese Ambient

2017

Beautiful Night of the moon

“Beautiful Night of the Moon” is a poetic soundscape themed on moonlight and silence — a sonic journey that wraps the night and brings gentle healing to the heart.

2025/

USEN BGV Service

Environmental video content provided for the USEN BGV service

2024/

In Search of Light

White Stone Gallery Ginza New Building — Clément Denis “In Search of Light” (Environmental Music), Tokyo, Ginza

2024/

ORATIO

“ORATIO ~ Prayer of the West, Prayer of the East” (Theater Music), Nerima Cultural Center, Tokyo

2023/

Film “Magone” — Yasuhiko Tsuchida, “Crossroads of Fate”

Research and film music composition for Yasuhiko Tsuchida’s film “Crossroads of Fate” (Magone).

2023/

Yokohama City “Sound Logo”

Production and implementation of the Yokohama City sound logo.

2022/

Flower ~ Blossoms of Resonating Cultures

Min-On performance “Flower ~ Blossoms of Resonating Cultures” — Opening Music (Video Music), Nakano Sunplaza Hall, Tokyo

2021/

Live Mahjong!

Online mahjong game “Live Mahjong!” (Game Music)

2020/11

Bugei “ONIKIRI — Blade of Demon-Banishing”

Takashi Kokubo in charge of music for the stage production Bugei “ONIKIRI — Blade of Demon-Banishing”.

2020/

JRA Ticket Vending Machines

Produced the audio signage tones for JRA’s automated ticket vending machines.

2026/03

“Shin Naminori-Fune Retreat” Held at SAGE Studio

2025/11

1st ION Forest Retreat

The 1st ION Forest Retreat was held on November 11–12, 2025.

2025/05

GAIAPHILIA — Additional Release Live Performance Announced

An additional live performance celebrating the release of GAIAPHILIA, the collaborative album by Yumiko Morioka & Takashi Kokubo

2025/04

"GaiaphiIia” release party

“Gaiaphilia” — Japan-Exclusive CD Release Party

2025/01

The Manchinsaketen Live

“Tree of Life” — Takashi Kokubo & Naoki Tate Live at Manchin Saketen

2024/08

2nd GAS Bon Odori Festival

2024/06

Yorubon

Performed at the live event “Yorubon” at Gallery “Gasbon Metabolism”

2024/06

Van Gogh and Arles

Performing Van Gogh in Arles, Southern France! Takashi Kokubo Concert “Van Gogh and Arles”

2024/02

Micro Ambient Music

In connection with the exhibition “Ryuichi Sakamoto Tribute — Music / Art / Media,” a live festival centered on Micro Ambient Music will be presented.

2026/02

Designing with Sound

Release date: February 12, 2026 A sound environment designer reveals the secrets of sound for the first time.

2025/11

Don’t sleep through life! (Rebroadcast)

NHK "Don’t sleep through life! "(Rebroadcast)“Why does the earthquake early warning on mobile phones sound like that?”

2023/12

Asahi Shimbun “GLOBE” No. 292

Asahi Shimbun GLOBE No. 292 (newspaper insert) — Contemporary Society Seen Through Sound

2023/12

“Gyu-ee!” — The Master of Healing Sound Who Created Japan’s Mobile Earthquake Early Warning Tone

Asahi Shimbun (Web Edition):“Gyu-ee!” — The Master of Healing Sound Behind Japan’s Mobile Earthquake Early Warning Tone Reflects on the Relationship Between Society and Sound

2023/08