Ryoko Yonekura cancels return engagement in Broadway's Chicago

CHICAGO, Sep 29 (playbill.com) - Japanese actor Ryoko Yonekura, who was scheduled to play a limited return engagement in the Broadway production of the Tony-winning revival of Chicago November 7-20 at the Ambassador Theatre, has canceled that stint under doctor's orders due to a lower back injury.

Yonekura will also be unable to star in the upcoming Japan tour of the musical, which will be presented December 14-31 at the Tokyo International Forum Hall C. The tour will feature principals from both the West End and cast members who continue to tour worldwide.

In 2008 Yonekura portrayed Roxie in the Japanese production of Chicago; she subsequently made her Broadway debut in that part in 2012 and returned in 2017 and 2019. She has had an extensive career on stage and on screen, including playing surgeon Michiko Daimon in the Japanese TV series Doctor X.

The Broadway company currently features  Angelica Ross as Roxie Hart,  Amra Faye-Wright  as Velma Kelly,  Brandon Victor Dixon  as Billy Flynn, Charity Angel Dawson  as Matron “Mama” Morton,  Evan Harrington  as Amos Hart, and  R. Lowe  as Mary Sunshine. ...continue reading

Source: ANNnewsCH

Takaichi and Xi Hold 10-Second Handshake

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi and Chinese President Xi Jinping stood side by side before the cameras on October 31st at 5 p.m. for a moment that drew intense attention. “Hello, please this way,” said Xi as the two leaders exchanged a handshake lasting roughly 10 seconds in front of their national flags. Takaichi’s expression was stiff at first but softened slightly into a faint smile, while Xi’s face remained largely unchanged.

Record 12 Killed in Bear Attacks Across Japan

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Japan to Introduce Free High School Education Next Year

The Liberal Democratic Party, Nippon Ishin no Kai, and Komeito have reached an agreement on the framework for Japan’s new free high school tuition program, which will begin in fiscal 2026. Under the plan, tuition support for private full-time high schools will be capped at 457,000 yen, while correspondence courses will have an upper limit of 337,000 yen.

Sense of Crisis in World Heritage Shirakawa Village: ‘Never a Year with So Many Bears Before’

Bear sightings have surged across Japan, and in Gifu Prefecture’s Shirakawa Village—home to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Shirakawa-go—local authorities held a nighttime drill on October 28th to prepare for possible emergencies.

Japan Mobility Show Opens, Toyota Unveils Century Coupe

The Japan Mobility Show opened on October 29th, marking the start of Japan’s premier automotive exhibition, where foreign manufacturers are stepping up their entry into the country’s growing electric vehicle (EV) market.

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