Interview Relay

MOS performs on the global stage, and the Tokyo Marathon welcomes runners from around the world. Here is a “story of connection” born from the resonance of different fields.

From the four-member wind instrument girl group MOS, which captivates the world with its “bradan” performance fusing brass and dance, Miyu on trumpet and Lotta on tenor saxophone will make their full marathon debuts at the Tokyo Marathon 2026.

When they step into this new challenge of running, what do they feel, and what scenery of the future do they envision?

Interview Relay 2nd Run: Stories of “Connections Between People” Born Through the Tokyo Marathon. Race Director Yasuhiro Oshima, who oversees the Tokyo Marathon, talks with Miyu and Lotta from MOS about the new values created at the intersection of music and sports, as well as the scenery they hope to see through this challenge.

— MOS Stands for “Music”, “Omotenashi”, and “Sisters” — Our Activity Concept Is Hospitality Delivered Through Music

— Could you tell us about the group “MOS”? Please share the concept of your activities, the origin of the group’s name, and so on.

Lotta: We’re MOS, a four-member wind instrument girl group. Next to me, Miyu plays trumpet, I play tenor saxophone, Erna plays trombone, and AMI plays alto saxophone — that’s our lineup as we perform. We started with the concept of “bradan,” combining brass and dance. I think there probably weren’t many groups that clearly positioned this as a genre before. It’s fun to listen to, and fun to watch. That’s the kind of stage we’re aiming for.

Miyu: We believe we coined the term “bradan.”

Oshima RD: You are true pioneers. I watched your live performance videos and got chills — it was amazing!

Lotta: Thank you so much. Lately, we’ve been deepening our musicality even further, incorporating elements of rock into “brass rock” as another theme, performing across Japan and around the world. Everything we play is our original songs.

Miyu: In the group name MOS, M stands for “Music,” O for “Omotenashi,” and S for “Sisters.” We formed right around the year when Tokyo was selected to host the 2020 Olympic      and Paralympic Games, with the hope of becoming a group that could offer omotenashi hospitality to everyone through music.

Oshima RD: As members of MOS, what do you consider “omotenashi” to be?

Lotta: Simply put, it’s “delivering the sound.” I always think about what it really means to “deliver.”

Miyu: We want people from overseas to experience it too, and omotenashi is the spirit of Japan. We cherish that feeling in our live performances.

“Challenge” is at the      Core of      Our      Activities —      We      Want to      Discover a      Scenery      That’s      Only      Visible      Once      You      Try

— Why did you decide to challenge the Tokyo Marathon this time?

Miyu: Playing wind instruments and running actually connect in terms of breathing and cardiopulmonary function, and I used to run a lot during club activities myself. That said, a full marathon is unknown territory. But I’m proud that Japan hosts one of the world’s seven major marathons, and I wanted to take on this new challenge.

Lotta: MOS has always embraced new challenges, like bradan and brass rock. “Challenge” is at the core of everything we do. This marathon challenge is the same — we want to discover the scenery and emotions that we can only experience by running it.

Oshima RD: Do you have any anxieties about challenging a full marathon?

Lotta: Yes, we’re anxious, but little by little we’re building up the distance, and it finally feels like this challenge is actually happening.

And today, there’s something I really want to share. While running long distances, there was a moment when I suddenly thought, “Ah, this is really similar to pacing a solo live show.”

Miyu: Exactly!

Lotta: Playing wind instruments uses a lot of breath. In a solo live show, it’s about an hour and a half of holding breath, quick inhale, hold again, talking, singing, dancing… That sensation feels close to marathon running, and I want to share this with other wind instrument players. But there aren’t many wind instrument players running 20km, so I wonder if anyone will relate (laugh).

Miyu: But really, since starting running, I’ve felt less tired during live shows than before. It has become really clear to me that if I can run for a certain duration, I can also make it through a live show.

— What image do you have of the Tokyo Marathon event?

Miyu: The image is of a race where you can run full out through the streets of Tokyo. The course passes many tourist spots, so I’m looking forward to it, and I’ve already done a lot of mental training just imagining the cheers along the way (laugh).

Oshima RD: The Tokyo Marathon starts in front of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and finishes at Tokyo Station on Gyoko-dori Avenue. As you said, it’s a great course that passes many tourist attractions and historic sites in between. Running through the streets of Tokyo on your own feet will reveal scenery different from usual.

Musical      Live      Shows and      Marathons      Share the      Same      Essence: “Let’s      Unite      Together!”

— What experiences do you hope Miyu and Lotta will have regarding the concept “The Day We Unite”?

Oshima RD: It’s not just a race for runners — it’s created by everyone, including those cheering along the course, local residents, volunteers, and operating staff. Including runners gathering from around the world, it’s the moment when everyone truly becomes one — that’s what we express as “The Day We Unite.” I’m sure you two will have many moments feeling the cheers and support from those around you, thinking “It’s tough but let’s keep going” or “I’m glad I ran,” sharing the same feelings and sensing the connection. That’s “The Day We Unite.” I envision it. Perhaps it’s close to the feeling of becoming one with the audience at a MOS live performance.

Lotta: Hearing that now, it feels like so many parts overlap with live shows. For me, I make efforts to stay pure-hearted, to not lie about anything in music or otherwise, to remain clear. I believe that through daily accumulation, the stage will come, and people will follow. That’s why the cheers from people along the marathon course will feel like heartfelt support, and the effort to run comes from a genuine desire for challenge. So, I feel the essence of live shows and marathons is the same.

Miyu: Our live shows are not just “listen to our music,” but done with the feeling of uniting together. So, toward the actual performance, we aim to become one with the staff too, and live shows are something where the audience is there, our music is there, and we become one there. During the live shows, when we call out to the audience, “Let’s do this together,” they would respond to us, or sometimes, the audience themselves suggest “Let’s do this!” There are many moments of that unity and connection in every live show, moments where I think “This is the best right now,” and I imagine it’ll be the same during the marathon. I’m really looking forward to those moments of unity on race day, and I hope it becomes a race where everyone’s “fun” leads to happiness.

Oshima RD: In the 2025 race, nearly 18,000 overseas runners participated. Cheers in Japanese may not convey the words, but watching the gestures, tone of voice, applause, smiles — it feels like thoughts transcend language. Music is surely the same, creating that unity. Expressions of sound, kindness, and strength — people naturally sense those. I also imagine the unity in the Tokyo Marathon appearing in MOS live shows.

Miyu: As a common point between music and sports, “no language needed” — that’s something I’ve felt strongly myself, so the same feelings. 

If We Can Share the Same Air in a Moment, People Can Understand Each Other More

— What do you think the fusion of sports and music, and the connections between people through that, brings to society?

Oshima RD: It might sound exaggerated, but if the feeling of uniting spreads, perhaps conflicts would disappear. Of course, marathons aren’t everything. But if we can share the same air in a moment, people can understand each other more. The Tokyo Marathon has limits on time and participants, but anyone can join. By holding the event, we believe it leads not just to unity but to peace, and we want to continue it.

Lotta: It becomes a trigger for genres to expand together. For example, it might reach runners who haven’t heard MOS music before, or conversely, wind instrument musicians might think “Hey, running is possible too.” It would be great if such things happen in various places.

Miyu: Lately, as opportunities to go overseas have increased, I’ve felt many more connections through music, those between people, or with different genres and worlds. MOS has quite a few fusions with sports, like motorsports or the Paralympics.

Lotta: Especially overseas motorsport events have a festival-like atmosphere. It’s like a music festival happening alongside sports, truly festive.

Oshima RD: In the Tokyo Marathon, there are people playing music along the course for cheering, and Marty Friedman plays guitar at the start. It’s not quite a festival yet, but sports and music do have high affinity through the race.

Lotta: If a music festival were to be held at the Tokyo Marathon, please invite us! The upcoming 2027 is the 20th edition of the Tokyo Marathon (laugh).

Oshima RD: Then, let’s plan something!

Lotta: Wind instrument sounds fit marathons well as starting sounds or sounds heading toward the future. We’ll solidly run the 19th Tokyo Marathon in 2026, so for the 20th edition, please count on us for the music festival!

— Lotta’s words that “challenge” is at the core of every MOS activity were impressive. What meaning might this new marathon challenge hold?

Lotta: From MOS’s perspective, it’s another moment connecting with a new genre. The two members not running are super interested too (laugh). Whether they actually want to run or not is unknown, but they seem interested in the challenge and the history of the Tokyo Marathon.

Miyu: Though their expression differs, marathons are really no different from music. Music expresses itself with sound, but marathons move people’s hearts with the running figure  itself. I hope to express not with sound this time, but with our “running figures,” to make viewers think “I want to try hard too.”

Oshima RD: In the Tokyo Marathon, 39,000 runners each run with their own challenges and goals. Our role is to create the best stage for that. My policy is to greet every runner at the finish — some cry with joy, some roar. Seeing those expressions makes me tear up, feeling glad to do this job. We want to operate the race safely, without any accidents.  We want to share the wonderful moments together in Tokyo. The Tokyo Marathon The Tokyo Marathon will continue to take on new challenges to make that possible.

The Power to Connect to Someone’s Future and Expand to New Circles

— Through this conversation, the scenery on Tokyo Marathon day has become clearer. What pose or post-finish scenery do you imagine now?

Miyu: Completing 42.195km is still too unknown, with parts hard to imagine, but that’s why my desire to experience that unknown has grown stronger. As one part of “The Day We Unite,” I want to finish the race enjoyably with everyone, and if I can show that “even wind instrument musicians can achieve goals by working hard,” that would be great. I’d be happy if it becomes power for someone’s tomorrow or future efforts. Also looking forward to interactions with fellow runners and volunteers, and new circles expanding.

Lotta: It feels like I’ve reconfirmed what I imagined. I’m more grateful to challenge the 19-year history of the Tokyo Marathon. Now, all that’s left is to do it. Since I decided to do it, I’ll do it, and I believe I can. I’m looking forward to applying what I feel there to MOS activities and my life.

Oshima RD: Yes, what comes after running a marathon is very important. On race day, other MOS members, family, and friends will likely come to cheer. Even if you don’t complete it, they’ll think “You really did great.” 42.195km isn’t easy, but the challenge itself is wonderful. If you can apply what you gain from that challenge to future music activities or life, nothing would make the event happier.

— Finally, a message to first-time marathon challengers and peers trying new things.

Lotta: I can’t say anything grand, but “Let’s do our best together!”

Miyu: In live show, there are moments when I’m exhausted and can’t produce sound, but the audience’s smiles and voices help me keep at it. That sensation will surely be the same in marathons, so receiving power from everyone, “Let’s do our best together!”

Oshima RD: I want to make it a race where the feelings of “We share the same emotions,” “We’re fully supporting you,” “We’re cheering for you” reach all first-time challengers. On race day, please enjoy the Tokyo Marathon safely and good luck.

MOS Profile

MOS, the one-of-a-kind brass + dance (Brass + Dance) performance group, is gaining attention with their unique fusion of wind instrument playing and dance. Armed with a rare wind instrument lineup—tenor saxophone, alto saxophone, trombone, and trumpet—they’ve been taking the rock scene by storm since last summer with punk, melodic hardcore, and ska numbers. 

Miyu on trumpet and Lotta on tenor saxophone will make their full marathon debuts at the Tokyo Marathon 2026. Erna on trombone and AMI on alto saxophone will participate in the volunteer activities.

https://mos.bitfan.id

Oshima RD Profile

Born in 1969 in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Joined Nishi Sports Corporation in April 2003 and served as Director of Overseas Business. Joined the Japan Association of Athletics Federations in July 2005 and served as Director of the Business Department. Joined the Japan Olympic Committee in April 2015 and served as Member of the Marketing Committee (until 2021). Joined Nihon University in April 2021 and served as Professor at the Department of Athletic Sports, College of Sports Science. Oshima was appointed as Assistant Race Director of the Tokyo Marathon Foundation in September 2023.