In celebration of the 150th anniversary of the birth of a man known as the father of modern Italian song, the International Francesco Paolo Tosti Singing Competition got its start in 1996 under the sponsorship of the Istituto Nazionale Tostiano in Francesco Paolo Tosti's birthplace of Ortona, Italy. Held once every four years since then, the fourth international Tosti competition in Ortona is now fast approaching.

The Asia Preliminary 2007 to be held in the old capital of Nara in October of next year will grant the top five representatives from Asia the opportunity to compete at the International Francesco Paolo Tosti Singing Competition in Italy.

This will be the second time to hold this regional preliminary event, which was first held as the Japan Preliminary in October of 2003, following the conclusion of a memorandum with the Istituto Nazionale Tostiano in 2000. With the aim of discovering and supporting outstanding vocalists from countries around the world, and particularly Asia, the scope of the preliminary competition has this time been extended to include contestants from the rest of Asia, so as serve as a cultural bridge between Italy, Japan and other Asian countries.

It is further hoped that this preliminary to the competition in Italy will contribute to friendship among countries in Asia and provide an opportunity not only to introduce Tosti's songs, but also those of Japan, and to transmit Japanese culture to the world.