Since the outbreak of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) began, famous Japanese composer and music producer Ryuichi Sakamoto has been concerned about public safety, especially that of children, in China.

On February 22, the Beijing Contemporary Art Foundation (BCAF) and MTA Festival co-sponsored an online event at which Sakamoto was invited to take part. It was to help Chinese parents and children pull through the influence of COVID-19. The BCAF also posted on its official Weibo account a song by Sakamoto titled "Aqua", a famous piece from his 1999 album BTTB, which was played unplugged on the piano.

Before the song begins, Sakamoto delivers a message for Chinese children: "It's sad not to be able to go out and play, but since you don't have to go to school now, do your best to play at home. Don't just play games. Use that time to read a lot of books and listen to a lot of music. Painting, writing poetry, playing musical instruments, and watching movies are also good choices. And don't forget to do some exercises at home. Let's get over it!"

Sakamoto's score for the film "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence" won the best score at the 37th BAFTAs and his score for the film "The Last Emperor" won the Academy Award for Best Original Score at the 60th Academy Awards. In 1992, he also wrote and conducted the opening ceremony of the Barcelona Olympics.

(Video: "Aqua." Music by Ryuichi Sakamoto Ⓒ 2020 KAB America Inc. [ASCAP], Administered by Kobalt Song Music Publisher [ASCAP])