Performing Arts Network Japan is a Website dedicated to disseminating information about the stimulating and highly diverse Japanese performing arts scene. And, with an eye to the international performing arts scene, each month we will also introduce presenters who are presently active on the international stage. The Japan Foundation has previously published English language introductions to drama and dance artists in Theater Japan (1989 and 1993), and an organized survey of the genres of contemporary theater, contemporary dance, butoh, contemporary music, and popular music, in Performing Arts Now in Japan (1995). We also presented the most up-to-date information on the Japan Performing Arts Net Website during 1997-2003 to provide a view of trends in Japanese performing arts. We sincerely hope that these efforts and this brand new project of Performing Arts Network Japan will contribute to the promotion of international exchange in the performing arts. Published by the Japan Foundation Edited by Institute for The Arts Editor in chief: Eiko Tsuboike Editorial Assistance on “Topics” and “Festival / Market Calendar”: Japan Center, Pacific Basin Arts Communication Design: Yaemi Konishi English translation:  Robert Reed About “Modern Drama Briefs 100” The “Japanese Drama Database” on this website is based on the "Modern Drama Briefs 100" project produced in association with the Japan Playwrights Association and the Japan Foundation. Production: Japan Playwrights Association, the Japan Foundation Supported by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan (2003) Selection Committee: Minoru Betsuyaku, Yoshio Ozasa, Ren Saito Editor of the English Translation: Mari Boyd Japanese Editor: Ryoko Kawabata Collaborators: Tetsu Arai, Akiko Asai, Maki Ito, Yukako Ito, Makoto Katsura,Hiromi Ohashi, Masaaki Okuno, Roba Shimori, Miyuki Tanase Translators: Farah Ali, Mari Boyd, Gavin Fryer, Daniel Gallimore, Yukiko Ito, Shoko Iwata, John D. Swain This month’s front page photographs: Koenji Daidogei Festival 2010 (Koenji “Bikkuri” Daidogei) Photo: Eiko Tsuboike The Japan Foundation is an organization for international cultural exchange and it carries out a broad variety of cultural-exchange programs with personnel exchanges as their basic premise, ranging from such academic pursuits as Japanese studies and Japanese-language education to the arts, publication, audio-visual media sports and general life culture. +The Japan Foundation: http://www.jpf.go.jp/e/index.html All rights reserved. The materials on this Website, (including without limitation all articles, text, images, movies, logos etc.) are Copyright (c) The Japan Foundation. The Japan Foundation endeavors to ensure that the information on this Website is correct but does not accept any liability for error or omission. The Japan Foundation will not be liable (to the fullest extent permitted at law) for any loss, damage or inconvenience arising as a consequence of any use of or the inability to use any information on this Website. The Japan Foundation takes no responsibility for the contents of linked Websites and links should not be taken as endorsement of any kind. The Japan Foundation has no control over the availability of the linked pages You do not need to request permission to create a text link from your Website to any of The Performing Arts Network Japan Websites. If you think we would be interested in linking to your Website please give us a report info@performingarts.jp. Users are permitted to copy some material for their personal use as private individuals only. Unless explicitly stated on the Webpage, users must not republish any part of the data either on another Website, or in any other medium, print, electronic or otherwise, or as part of any commercial service without the prior written permission of the Japan Foundation. If you require any further information on permitted use, or a license to republish any material, please contact info@performingarts.jp.