Ballet Around the World: Japan

With multiple, growing dance companies and more than 400,000 ballet students, the small nation of Japan is becoming an increasingly significant presence in the ballet world. Most recently, Madoka Sugai, a 17 year old high school student, won the Prix de Lausanne ballet competition in Switzerland, bringing the Japanese ballet programs to the forefront. Ballet instruction in Japan is provided mainly at small, privately-owned schools with an average of 60 students. The small numbers provide each student with more specific training time with their instructors. Further interest within Japan has been generated as famous Japanese dancers like Miyako Yoshida and Tetsuya Kumakawa have traveled back to Japan to perform.