The 4th Takamatsu International Piano Competition, which serves as a gateway for pianists to an international career, will be held in 2018. As the mayor of Takamatsu, it is my great honor and pleasure to welcome the contestants and participants to this city.

This competition aims to discover and nurture talented young pianists from around the world, to support young Japanese pianists to realize their dreams and aspirations, and to provide a venue for interaction among outstanding musicians from all parts of the globe. Many pianists who have participated in previous competitions have since become active on the international stage.

The competition is held in Sunport Hall Takamatsu, which serves as a center for the development and dissemination of culture and the arts in this city, and the powerful musical performances presented here at previous competitions have entranced local citizens. I am sure that at the fourth competition, the contestants will once again surpass what has come before to captivate their audience with the beauty of the piano as an instrument and thrill them with the combination of their skill and musical sensitivity.

In conclusion, let me express my deepest appreciation to the Organizing Committee and to all those who have worked so hard to make this competition possible. I look forward to the participation of many contestants from all over the world and to the emergence of new and talented pianists who will represent the next generation of musicians, and wish you all every success in your musical careers.