(founded in 1995, headquartered in Sapporo), and creator of the globally popular virtual singer "Hatsune Miku," gave a special lecture on Friday, December 5, 2025, at the Kyoto Computer Gakuin (KCG) Kyoto Ekimae Campus, KCGI Kyoto Ekimae Satellite 6F Large Hall, Kyoto Computer Gakuin (KCG) Kyoto Ekimae Campus.Professor Ito explained the birth and growth of "Hatsune Miku," advanced efforts in voice technology and 3DCG technology, and activities in Japan and abroad, using video clips.KCGI and KCG students listened with sparkling eyes to a lecture by a prominent businessman who is a leader in the content business world.
Hatsune Miku" is a virtual idol created on August 31, 2007.It is a software program that sings a song by voice synthesis when the lyrics and melody are inputted.His appearance has been introduced in major national newspapers and other media, and he is widely known not only among music and idol fans but also throughout Japan.Live concerts and events are held not only in Japan but also all over the world, symbolizing Cool Japan, the global appeal of Japan.
In his lecture titled "The Potential of Digital Content Learned from Hatsune Miku," Professor Ito introduced the business of Crypton, which celebrated its 30th anniversary, and explained the relationship and history of music and technology, as well as the basics of computer music.He explained how Yamaha created "Hatsune Miku" using its singing voice synthesizing technology and was the first in the world to add a character to the product.
The characterization of "Hatsune Miku" was so successful that people began to create not only music, but also illustrations and computer graphics of "Hatsune Miku" and post them on the Internet, and the chain of creativity expanded around the world.Professor Ito explained in detail how he created an environment that facilitates the creation and chain reaction by opening licenses for the rights handling of original works and derivative works and by creating the content submission site "piapro".
It has been 18 years since the birth of "Hatsune Miku.As a result of secondary and tertiary creations by many creators, the forms of expression have diversified to include not only songs and sounds, but also dance, moving images, and performing arts.Through continuous technological development, they have grown and their expressive and singing abilities have become richer and richer, and their field of activities has only expanded to include fashion, full orchestra concerts, games, and collaboration with Kabuki.
Performances and event appearances are aplenty.The annual "Hatsune Miku 'Magical Mirai'" exhibition event, where visitors can experience the joy of 3DCG live and creative work, was held in Sendai, Osaka, and Tokyo (Makuhari Messe, Chiba) in August 2025.On May 24 and 25, "CHO-KABUKI" Powered by IOWN "Konjaku Kyoyo Senbonzakura Expo2025 ver." with Shido Nakamura was performed at the Kansai Expo in Osaka.Cho-Kabuki Powered by IOWN "Sekai no Hanamusubu Koto no Haha" is currently being performed at the Kabuki-za Theater in Ginza, Tokyo, from December 4 to 26 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of "Hatsune Miku" and Nakamura Shido's Cho-Kabuki.
On April 19, NHK's flagship program "Shin Project X - Chosenshatachi" aired a program titled "A Chain of Passion Gives Birth to a Music Revolution - The Untold Story of the Birth of Hatsune Miku.Professor Ito also appeared and discussed the development of "Hatsune Miku.
In November, the overseas version of Magical Mirai's "MIKU EXPO" held its first Asian tour, "HATSUNE MIKU EXPO 2025 ASIA," traveling to seven cities including Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Seoul.MIKU EXPO 2026 North America" is scheduled to tour 15 cities in North America, including Chicago, Los Angeles, and Mexico, from April to May 2026.Collaboration events and products have been launched one after another, and the company has developed a wide range of activities, including participation in sightseeing campaigns and festivals throughout Japan.The fifth installment of the "Hatsune Miku" local key chain, a collaborative product, was sold in November 2025.
Dr. Ito became a professor at KCGI in April 2013.In the fall of the same year, he was awarded the Medal with Blue Ribbon in recognition of his international activities and technical innovations.KCGI and KCG have a reciprocal class auditing system.Not only students studying content business at KCGI, but also KCG students in art and design, digital games, computer science, IT voice acting, and other content-related courses can learn a lot from Professor Ito's efforts.
