On June 26th, TBS announced that they will live broadcast a special live music program, �Ongaku no Hi� (�Day of Music�), which will be 7 hours and 40 minutes long. The hosts of this lengthy program will be SMAP�s Nakai Masahiro and announcer, Azumi Shinichiro. �Approximately 50 artists will be appearing on this special�program, and there will be a relay broadcast with the disaster areas of the earthquake, such as Sendai.

There are many long hours music programs in Japan, such as "NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen" (NHK), "FNS Kayousai" (Fuji TV), or "CDTV Special" (TBS), however, TBS' music program with longest period of time after 1987 was �"CDTV Special: Toshikoshi Premiere Live 2004 -2005!", which was�broadcasted back in December 31, 2004 �for 5 hours and 15 minutes.

Nakai, who has hosted �Kouhaku� before, stated, �A special live music program that spans over 7 hours is a big project for both TBS and me. I think this program could be a starting point for another day in history. Especially at a time like this, I would like to believe this kind of program can contribute to a little bit of everyone�s power and happiness.�

Anzumi adds, �[This program] is quite a volume. I am only half-convinced that I can properly host this program. Even with that thinking, I will put effort in my abilities so that all the musicians sing with a little more ease.�

This special program will include many genres such as pop, rock, enka, and other popular songs to accommodate every one in Japan to cheer up with the power of music. Different Japanese musicians will perform medleys, hit songs, and all artists will perform at least two songs. Even K-pop will be included in this program with artists like KARA with their medley of �Mister� to their new song, �GO GO SUMMER!�.

TBS will invite some of the victims of the disaster to their main venue and at the live event in Sendai, Moriyama Ryoko and Satou Muneyuki is planned to sing �Namida Sou Sou� and �Aobajyoukoiuta�, respectively.

Some of the other participants of this event are: Ishikawa Sayuri, AKB48, Every Little Thing, Ogura Kei, Kayama Yuuzou, Kuraki Mai, JUJU, Sukima Switch, Tokunaga Hideaki, Dream Morning Musume, Nakagawa Shouko, Hikawa Kiyoshi, FUNKY MONKEY BABYS, Flumpool, Becky??, Makihara Noriyuki, and Minami Kousetsu.

More details including new added artists will be updated on the program's official website.

The program will broadcast on July 16th starting from 7:00 p.m. and will end on 2:40 a.m.

Source: Mantan Web