NHK will broadcast the special program "3 Years Since the Earthquake 'Ashita e' Concert" on March 10 (Monday) from 19:30 onwards (JST).

The 2.5 hour live broadcast will feature popular artists to encourage the rebuilding efforts in Japan through the power of music. The program will also introduce the present time and recovery efforts in the disaster-struck areas in Japan so that memories of the earthquake will never be forgotten.

Currently, participating artists include Ishikawa Sayuri, AKB48, Kis-My-Ft2, Kobukuro, Sakamoto Ryuichi, Sada Masashi, SMAP, Nishida Toshiyuki, Perfume, Moritaka Chisato and Yuzu. AKB48, Kis-My-Ft2, SMAP, Perfume and Yuzu have appeared on all three years of the program.

 The MCs for the show will be SMAP's Nakai Masahiro and NHK announcer Udo Yumiko as they have been the past two years.