// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did Gi!nz say to its date? "You're a real gem".
Gi!nz | |
|---|---|
| Genre | New music |
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Members | |
| Past members | |
| Part of a series on the |
| Liberal Democratic Party |
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Gi!nz (Japanese: ギインズ, Hepburn: Ginzu) is a Japanese band composed of members of the Liberal Democratic Party in the National Diet.[1]
History
[edit]Gi!nz was formed by Yoshimasa Hayashi, who would later become the Chief Cabinet Secretary, and Ichita Yamamoto in May 1997. Hayashi served as the leader, serving as the band's vocals, guitar, and piano.[2][3] He is also in charged with writing lyrics and composing music.[1] The band was inspired by The Beatles and based on 1970s new music genre. The band was created because "young people are said to be apathetic towards politics" and "When a message is delivered on the tune of upbeat pop or rock melodies, it is reborn and can be shared with many people".[2][4]
The band became a four-member band when Yasukazu Hamada, Hachiro Okonogi, and Gaku Ishizaki joined the band. After losing his seat in the 2000 Japanese general election, Ishizaki left the band and was replaced by Masaji Matsuyama.[2] The band was then composed of incumbent Liberal Democratic Party members of the National Diet.[1][5] They released their first CD album in January 2005, with a portion of the proceeds donated to the Japan Marrow Donor Program.[5][2][6] Their second CD album was released in January 2018.[2]
Musical style
[edit]According to Jiji Press, the defining characteristics of their songs were their social message.[2]
Live performances
[edit]They typically performed on disaster-stricken area to raised money as a charity concerts.[4] They also performed in a charity event on February 23, 2005, in Nagatachō.[7] They performed live on December 25, 2013, and November 6, 2014, which is a charity concerts for the victims of the 2014 Mount Ontake eruption, performing their song "Tokyo Sotsugyō" in English.[8][5] Their last performance before the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan hits was in 2019.[2] Although they planned to have a year-end concert in Tokyo on December 30, 2023, it was cancelled following the slush fund scandal in 2023.[6][1]
Members
[edit]- Yoshimasa Hayashi (Yamaguchi 3rd) – vocalist, guitar and piano.[2]
- Hachiro Okonogi (Kanagawa 3rd – former) – vocalist[5][2]
- Yasukazu Hamada (Chiba 12th) – vocalist[5][2]
- Masaji Matsuyama (House of Councillors; Fukuoka at-large) – guitar, vocalist[5][2]
Former
[edit]- Ichita Yamamoto (House of Councillors; Gunma at-large – former; 1997–1998)[2]
- Gaku Ishizaki (Hokkaido 3rd – former; 1998–2000)[2]
Discography
[edit]| Album title | Release date |
|---|---|
| Gi!nz First Album (ギインズ・ファースト・アルバム) | January 21, 2005[9] |
| Gi!nz 2018 | January 19, 2019[10] |
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 政界のバンドマスターになれる日は？林官房長官が総理を本気で狙うタイミングはいつか？岸田総理との距離感から分析！【「ポスト岸田」候補の素顔】 [When will Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi become the bandleader of the political world? When will he seriously aim for the prime ministership? An analysis based on his relationship with Prime Minister Kishida! [The true face of the "post-Kishida" candidate]]. TBS News (in Japanese). April 14, 2024. p. 3. Retrieved August 20, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Kida, Akane (May 10, 2024). 林官房長官らのバンド「ギインズ」とは 政治の「無関心」に一石？【政界Ｗｅｂ】 [Who is "Gi!nz," the band formed by Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi and others? A challenge to political "indifference"? [Political Web]]. Jiji Press (in Japanese). Retrieved August 20, 2026.
- ↑ 「音楽外交」林芳正総務相が「空港ピアノ」 サプライズ演奏にX盛り上がる [Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Yoshimasa Hayashi's "musical diplomacy": Surprise performance at airport piano sparks excitement on X]. J-CAST (in Japanese). July 17, 2026. Retrieved August 20, 2026.
- 1 2 林芳正「音楽はいいコミュニケーション」友人関係構築に効果 議員音楽ユニット「Gi!nz」も活動中 [Yoshimasa Hayashi: "Music is good communication" – effective for building friendships. He is also active in the politician music unit "Gi!nz".]. Abema Times (in Japanese). September 21, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "国会議員バンドのギインズから３人が入閣 内閣改造" [Three members of the parliamentary band Gi!nz join the cabinet in a cabinet reshuffle.]. Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). August 4, 2017. Retrieved August 20, 2026.
- 1 2 林官房長官ら国会議員バンド「ギインズ」の年末ライブ中止 派閥パーティー事件受け [Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi and other Diet members' band "Gi!nz" cancel year-end concert following factional party scandal]. Sankei Shimbun (in Japanese). December 27, 2023. Retrieved August 20, 2026.
- ↑ 【永田町365～今日は何の日】Gi!nz(ギインズ)チャリティーコンサート(2005年2月23日)（2024年2月23日掲載） [[Nagatacho 365 ~ What day is it today] Gi!nz Charity Concert (February 23, 2005)]. Nippon News Network (in Japanese). November 23, 2025. Retrieved August 20, 2026.
- ↑ 自民議員バンド、再出発 [LDP lawmakers' band makes a fresh start]. The Nikkei (in Japanese). November 1, 2014. Retrieved August 20, 2026.
- ↑ ギインズ・ファースト・アルバム | Gi!nz [Gi!nz's First Album | Gi!nz]. Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved August 21, 2026.
- ↑ "Gi!nz 2018". Apple Music (in Japanese). January 19, 2019. Retrieved August 21, 2026.