In 2011, Japan was officially invited for the first time to perform as a representative of Japan at the China International Youth Arts Festival organized by the Chinese Ministry of Culture (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of China).
Yasuo Arai & Heavens Four Band visited China from August 10 to August 15 and performed jazz music as representatives of Japan.

The first part of the China International Youth Arts Festival featured classical music by selected players from Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, and the second part was a jazz performance by Yasuo Arai & Heavens Four Band.

At the reception, the Vice Minister of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented a commemorative crystal trophy and many other mementos. He also said that a photo book of the performance would be produced for posterity.

Yasuo Arai & Heavens Four were the first jazz musicians to be officially invited to China for the 30th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan in 2002, and have since performed as representatives of Asia at the 2008 Beijing Olympics Commemorative Music Performance and at the 2011 International Youth Arts Festival.

Beijing: Guo Yin Tang, Chinese Academy of Music

• Yasuo Arai (Vocal)
• Yumi Arai (Vocal & Piano)
• Masaru Hokodate (Tenor Saxophone)
• Michifumi Ogawa (wood bass)
• Mitsunori Sugawara (Drums)