Akira Takeda

Colonel Akira Takeda joined the Japan Ground Self Defense Force Central Band in 1980 after graduating from Musashino Academia Musicae as a trumpet major. He served as commander of the 2nd Combined Brigade Band (Kagawa), the 1st Division Band (Tokyo) and the Northeastern Army Band (Sendai) as well as leader of the performance and training sections and chief of the education division for the Central Band. He was appointed to his present position in August, 2007. He has studied conducting with Kazue Kamiya. COL Takeda is also a member of the Japan Band Directors Association and the Japan Sousa Society.