Japan’s biggest rock star Yoshiki, a classically trained pianist and composer, performed the Japanese national anthem, ‘Kimigayo’, at the 2026 FIA Formula 1 World Championship Series Aramco Japanese Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit on 29 March.
Described as a unique fusion of his classical training and signature hard rock drumming style, it was played in front of 130,000 spectators, the highest attendance since F1 resumed in 2009, and broadcast to 180 countries.
The special arrangement of ‘Kimigayo’ drew a thunderous ovation. The official F1 broadcast commentators reacted with, “Wow, I loved that! I felt that in my bones!”, while social media went wild, with comments such as, “That was one epic rock-themed national anthem!”
Straight after the performance, Yoshiki boarded a helicopter back to Tokyo for final rehearsals ahead of his sold-out three-day residency at Tokyo Garden Theater from 3 to 5 April, which itself kicked off his Yoshiki Classical 2026 World Tour.
On 16 and 17 July, The Music Center’s Walt Disney Concert Hall hosted two exclusive nights, titled Scarlet Night and Violet Night, marking Yoshiki’s US return following his third cervical spine surgery in late 2024, with the set list changed for each performance.
A composer, songwriter, pianist, drummer and leader of the legendary rock band X Japan, Yoshiki has built a global career spanning rock, classical music, film, fashion and philanthropy.
The first Japanese artist selected for TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World, he has performed at many of the world’s most prestigious venues, and as founder of the high-fashion house Maison Yoshiki Paris made his debut at Paris Fashion Week.
The documentary film Yoshiki: Under The Sky is available in selected markets, including the UK, on platforms such as Amazon, Apple TV and Google Play.
It captures powerful live performances by The Chainsmokers (USA), St. Vincent (USA), Sarah Brightman (England), Scorpions (Germany), Hyde (Japan), Sugizo (Japan), SixTones (Japan), Jane Zhang (China), Lindsey Stirling (USA) and Nicole Scherzinger (USA).
