When three legends of CASIOPEA—Minoru Mukaiya, Tetsuo Sakurai, and Akira Jimbo—come together once again, this is more than a reunion of old friends. It is a profound exploration of the very essence of sound.

In the interview, Mukaiya, who has a long-standing connection with Taiwan High Speed Rail, reveals that he will personally fine-tune the arrangements for the Taipei show. Jimbo encourages Taiwanese drummers to search for their own voice in the information-saturated digital age, while Sakurai quietly embodies an unwavering love for music that continues to guide his journey.

The three masters speak candidly about their endless pursuit of music, hinting that the chemistry refined over four decades will fully evolve on stage.

Q1:

Each of you holds a central position in today’s music scene and appears to command your instrument with complete freedom, as if no obstacle were insurmountable. At such a high level of achievement, how do you continue to refine yourselves?

Tetsuo Sakurai:
By simply continuing to enjoy and play the music I truly love.

Akira Jimbo:
The technical level of young musicians today is astonishing, and there are so many new interpretations of rhythm emerging. I feel there is still a great deal for me to learn.

Minoru Mukaiya:
I place great importance on the spirit of challenging new things. Through constant challenges, new insights emerge, and from those insights, entirely new music can be created.

Q2:

Have you visited Taiwan before? If so, what impressions did you have, and what did you especially enjoy? If not, are there any places you would like to visit or foods you would like to try?

Tetsuo Sakurai:
I visited once more than twenty years ago. I remember how delicious xiaolongbao was. This time, I would love to try braised pork rice and douhua.

Akira Jimbo:
I’ve been to Taiwan several times for drum seminars. I was deeply impressed by the warmth of the people, the food, and the rich culture. Xiaolongbao, in particular, left a strong impression.

Minoru Mukaiya:
Although not directly related to music, when Taiwan High Speed Rail began operation, my company Ongakukan produced a PlayStation 3 game titled Railfan: Taiwan High Speed Rail, allowing players to experience driving the trains. I visited Taiwan many times during that period, and as a railway enthusiast, I greatly enjoyed traveling on Taiwan Railways. If time allows after this performance, I would like to visit the newly opened Railway Museum.

Q3:

You all have extensive live experience in Japan. What are your expectations for the Taipei performance, and have you planned anything special for this show?

Tetsuo Sakurai:
I’m very much looking forward to it. This will be our first concert in Taiwan, and we are preparing a selection of original pieces arranged specifically for a trio format at Billboard Live TAIPEI.

Akira Jimbo:
I’m extremely excited. Katsushika Trio is now in its fifth year, and this will be our first overseas performance. I’m eager to see how the audience responds.

Minoru Mukaiya:
I plan to make slight adjustments to the arrangements specifically for the Taipei show. I hope everyone will experience the results firsthand at the venue.

Q4:

Do you have any new goals or plans for 2026?

Tetsuo Sakurai:
For Katsushika Trio, this being our first overseas performance, I hope we can expand our activities to more countries in various forms. We also aim to complete the recording of a new work and embark on a tour. Additionally, 2026 marks the 75th anniversary of legendary bassist Jaco Pastorius’s birth, and I hope to make the Japanese tribute concert on September 21 a great success (the Hong Kong show in December 2025 was highly successful). Personally, I want to continue broadening my creative activities.

Akira Jimbo:
I hope to release a new Katsushika Trio album in the fall. We’ve already begun working on new material.

Minoru Mukaiya:
Just like this Taipei performance, we are planning more Katsushika Trio concerts outside of Japan. We also plan to produce a new album around mid-2026, followed by a domestic tour in Japan in the fall.

[Special Question for Akira Jimbo]

In Taiwan, many people study jazz drumming, and quite a few use drumsticks bearing your name—some even say your signature model was the first pair they ever owned. Were you aware of this, and do you have any words for drummers who are practicing diligently?

Akira Jimbo:
I didn’t realize so many drummers were using my signature model, and it truly makes me happy. Today, through YouTube and social media, you can access an immense amount of information. By digging deeply into what interests you and reassembling that knowledge in your own way, your personal style will naturally emerge. Keep going, and best of luck.

January 20 at Billboard Live TAIPEI. Before taking your seat, let this conversation serve as the prelude to the performance.