Multivariable connected sums and multiple polylogarithms

We introduce the multivariable connected sum which is a generalization of Seki-Yamamoto’s connected sum and prove the fundamental identity for these sums by series manipulation. This identity yields explicit procedures for evaluating multivariable connected sums and for giving relations among special values of multiple polylogarithms. In particular, our class of relations contains Ohno’s relations for multiple polylogarithms.