TOKYO (CelebrityAccess) — The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has announced plans to expand to Japan.
The expansion will start with a temporary exhibit of artifacts from the Beatles and other Hall of Fame artists in a repurposed retail space in Tokyo in September, but the organization hopes to eventually open a permanent museum in the city.
News of the museum's planned expansion was first reported by the Wall Street Journal but later confirmed by a statement from the Hall.
"Rock and roll is a universal language and this is an incredible opportunity for us to collaborate with the Japan Project Production Committee to deliver an exciting experience internationally," said Greg Harris, president and CEO of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. "Japan is the second-largest music market in the world, making it the perfect place for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's first international expansion."
According to the WSJ, the hall's expansion is being funded by an unnamed group of Japanese investors who have previously licensed the Rock Hall's induction ceremonies for broadcast in Japan.
The estimated budget of the project is $24 million, the WSJ said. – Staff Writers
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Japan (its official name) will function through a licensing agreement between the Rock Hall and an unnamed group of Japanese collaborators.
The Japanese group, which has previously licensed the Induction Ceremony for broadcast in the country, will fund the construction of the museum. The project has a budget of $24 million.
