In an effort to reach a broader audience ahead of next year's Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, Japan's National Theatre is accommodating international guests of traditional kabuki performances by using in-show commentary and English subtitles.
On a day during the early summer rainy season, the venue was crowded with visitors from overseas and international students who came for a show specifically designed for non-native speakers of Japanese or those with no knowledge of the language at all.
With Japan preparing to welcome athletes and spectators from around the world to the Olympics, kabuki and other traditional Japanese performing arts are being adapted to appeal to the already surging number of overseas visitors.