Economy | ANALYSIS
Households to take hit from tax hike
by Tomoko Otake
The consumption tax increase will hit every household in Japan hard, with many people’s financial future hanging on whether their wages rise enough to offset the hike's impact.
Entertainment Sep 27, 2013
Ailing New York City Opera fears bankruptcy
New York City Opera could be sounding its final note this weekend — at least for a while. The 70-year-old company says it plans to file for bankruptcy and scrap the bulk of its 2013-2014 season unless it somehow manages to reach its fund-raising ...
Art Aug 19, 2013
Darren Johnston: dance's accidental controversialist
by Mio Yamada
In 2003, prominent arts writer Allen Robertson wrote in The Times: “If there was a Turner Prize for dance, Darren Johnston would undoubtedly be on the shortlist.” Robertson was referring to the creator of “Silicon Sensorium,” which played to packed audiences at the Purcell ...
Music | Fuji Rock 2013 Jul 25, 2013
Storify: Fuji Rock Festival 2013
The Fuji Rock Festival's pre-show matsuri kicked off tonight. Over the next three days, we'll be curating the related tweets and images coming from social media.
Stage Jul 3, 2013
Matthew Bourne's 'Dorian Gray' will never grow old, says its lead dancer, Richard Winsor
by Nobuko Tanaka
“Matthew and I are very excited to see how Japanese audiences react — but I think everyone is absolutely going to love this show,” English dancer Richard Winsor said at a Tokyo press conference held in May to preview next week’s season of Matthew ...
National Jun 8, 2013
Dancer says imagination is key to a full life
by Seana K. Magee
As a toddler, Yuriko Kikuchi lost her sisters and father to illness in California, was raised by relatives in Japan and then returned to the West Coast to face internment at a World War II relocation camp — all before realizing her dream to ...
National Jun 4, 2013
Japan-born, Kaitani-trained ballerina hits stride in S. Korea
by Chihiro Inoue
Choi Tae-ji, a Japanese-born South Korean prima ballerina, has dedicated herself to developing ballet in her country, once described by South Korean media as a “ballet desert” because of its failure to produce any great dancers. The 53-year-old director of the Korea National Ballet ...
Stage May 17, 2013
Flamenco queen shares 'Utopia'
by Nobuko Tanaka
Sitting in an interview room at the Bunkamura cultural complex in Tokyo's Shibuya district, María Pagés leans forward, smiles and tells me: "Flamenco is my language."
Offbeat Mar 29, 2013
After extinction threat, Cambodia's finger dance resurgent
Wrists bent and fingers curled, the immaculately dressed dancers perform a series of gestures that, according to ancient custom, carry the wishes of the Khmer kings to the heavens. Sporting golden head-dresses, the dancers slowly stretch back their wrists and — standing on one ...
Events In Tokyo Feb 1, 2013
Antonio Najarro offers flamenco with a twist of ballet
by Tomohiro Osaki
One of Spain’s most prestigious dance troupes will perform in Japan for the first time in six years. Since its foundation in 1987, the National Ballet of Spain has seen many of its flamenco dancers rise to global prominence, including Joaquín Cortés and Antonio ...
Stage Jan 24, 2013
With 'Desh,' Khan proves you can go home again
by Kris Kosaka
If art's purpose is to ask the relevant questions, then British-Bangladeshi dancer Akram Khan successfully interrogates humanity — and himself — with his latest production, "Desh."
Music | In the Record Bag Jan 23, 2013
Eadonmm
by Erik Luebs
Known to most as Eadonmm, Shinya Wada is a Kansai-based producer and DJ. In addition to organizing an event called Idle Moments in Kyoto, he is now busy finishing a new album, “Aqonis,” due out this spring on Osaka label Day Tripper Records. Here’s ...
Events In Tokyo Jan 17, 2013
Tango orchestra to tour country
by Eriko Arita
A renowned Argentine tango orchestra and dancers will bring their passion for the art to audiences in more than 30 cities across Japan through March. The tour, titled Dramatic Tango — Shin Ogonsedai no Kyoshotachi (Maestros of New Golden Era), is led by Nicolas ...