The Association for Corporate Support of the Arts was founded in 1990 by private corporations as Japan's first private-sector association devoted to the support of culture and the arts. Efforts are made to bring awareness among governmental agencies and the general public to the value of business involvement with the arts and the need to establish beneficial tax measures so that corporations are able to develop more innovative arts support programs. In 1994, the Association was granted the status of "Special Tax-Exempt Public Association" by the Agency for Cultural Affairs.

Japan Mecenat Award, "Cultivation of the Arts," for year 1999 was presented to PMF's special sponsoring companies. The Nomura Securities, Panasonic Corporation (former Matsushita Electric), Japan Airlines, and Toyota Motor Corporation, to recognize their great contribution towards the development and growth of artists and artistic organizations, specifically their special support to the Pacific Music Festival (PMF).