May 17 (newsonjapan.com) - Did you know that Japan's entertainment market is the third-largest in the world?
To many, this won't come as much as a surprise, as it's well-known for its outstanding performing arts, its mind-blowing theme parks, and its contributions to pop culture. Additionally, it is also emerging as a master of digital technology, which is being harnessed to transform entertainment in the country, broadening the market even more. Check out some of the best Japanese entertainment in more detail below.
Kabuki
Kabuki is listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Art, a form of theatre that originated in the Japanese Edo period. It is the most popular traditional style of Japanese drama. The actors and actresses skillfully apply music and dance to bring famous Japanese characters to life. Dating back to the 17th Century, it still captures hearts and minds today as more people in Japan visit theatres to watch Kabuki than any other of its cultural arts.
Japan has harnessed digital technology to continue to grow its performing arts industry, not just in the country itself but also internationally. As of 2020, the largest Kabuki theatre in Japan, the Kabikuza theatre in Tokyo, now streams live performances to fans across the country who are signed up to its subscription video streaming service. What's more, modern technology, such as earphones to translate performances, has also made Kabuki far more accessible to international audiences.
Pachinko
One of the most popular forms of entertainment, if not the most popular form of entertainment, is pachinko. It is estimated that Japanese gamblers are now spending $200 billion dollars on the game each year. Pachinko is a pinball-like slot game that is played in one of the 10, 600 pachinko parlours across the country, which are a cross between an arcade and a Las Vegas casino.
Yet, pachinko generates thirty times more revenue in Japan than Las Vegas casinos in America. It is a hugely popular market, combined with digital technology advances, it is attracting new investors and growing gaming entertainment in the country. Indeed, it's so popular that online casinos where you can play on smartphones are so numerous that comparison sites have been specifically created to help players comb through the myriad of options. What's more is that, through the online casino industry, people from around the world are being introduced to this storied and well-loved Japanese entertainment.
Super Nintendo World
Japan is even using digital technology to shape the future of its amusement parks. Amusement parks are very popular in Japan, there are over one hundred parks to be visited across the country. Super Nintendo World is the latest amusement park to open in Japan, a Mario-themed tech-infused entertainment attraction. Visitors will wear a power-up band that will sync with an app, to allow them to track activities, collect digital coins, compete against other visitors, and unlock achievements.
If Japan continues to grow its entertainment industry with digital technology, both in the country and abroad, it will easily maintain the third-largest entertainment market in the world or in the future possibly rank higher.
