As New York City kicks off a weeklong event celebrating Japanese food culture Sunday, few people would make the connection between traditional culinary delicacies and glittering musicals on Broadway.
The exception is Kumiko Yoshii, a project coordinator for the festival. Yoshii has produced a number of critically acclaimed musicals, including the 2004 revival of "Pacific Overtures" by Amon Miyamoto, through a production company she cofounded in 1997.
"There are many Japanese restaurants in the United States, but there are a lot of things that have yet to be fully understood, and there are many people who still find Japanese food less accessible," Yoshii said.