Singer-songwriter Natsuko Kondo released her new single, Konoyoni Kimiga Umarete, on January 31, 2024.

The song was initially produced for a TV program on which Natsuko Kondo appeared as a regular 10 years ago. Written as a love song from mother to child, it was created in response to a viewer’s wish to share a powerful message with her child born with a disability: “I raised you with love.” Kondo visited the mother and child in person and was inspired to pen her heartfelt lyrics after interacting with them directly. The track resonates with struggling parents, and after a decade, the long-awaited song has finally been released. The cover features a parent-child photo of Natsuko Kondo’s friend and TV personality Shiho Takechi.

A music video for the new song will be released on February 11. Actress and picture book author Natsume Mito met with Kondo to discuss the image and meaning of the song before creating a picture book lyric video. This will be combined with a short film depicting the struggles of parenting to create one single expressive video.

The song has also been chosen as the official ending for UNIQUE ZONE WORLD, the first UNIQUE ZONE global dance event for people with disabilities. The event will be held on February 11 at Aeon Mall Itami, and Natsuko Kondo will serve as the MC for the competition and will hold a live concert alongside dancers with disabilities.

Additionally, Natsuko Kondo has announced her first solo concert of the year, ‘Natsuko Kondo Solo Live Tour 2024 (Tentative title).’ The tour will begin with a performance at Music Club JANUS in Osaka on May 17, with Kondo planning to hold a total of seven more concerts around Japan. Performance dates and venues will be announced on Natsuko Kondo’s  official website soon.

<Comment from Natsuko Kondo>
“I got a request from a mother who was 26 years old at the time, and I visited her home to meet her and her child. I was inspired by the thoughts and feelings she had when her child was born and by how she was raising them. I visited facilities that her child attended and heard so much from people. As requested by the mother, I created this work so that when her child, who was born with cerebral palsy, grows up, they can see how loved they are.
Although the track began as a song for this mother specifically, it’s transformed into a warm track that shares the common emotions that all mothers and fathers raising their children feel. It’s tough, but it’s worth it. Children give you the strength to persevere.”