Society

All-female Takarazuka Revue sued over death of performer

Nov 11 (NHK) - An all-female singing and dancing troupe in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, has been sued by the family of one of its performers who apparently took her own life.

The 25-year-old member of the Takarazuka Revue was found dead in the city of Takarazuka in September. The woman, who joined the company six years ago, was a member of its Cosmos Troupe.

Lawyers for the bereaved family held a news conference at the labor ministry on Friday.

The lawyers said the woman was under an outsourcing contract with the company, and that her overtime exceeded 277 hours a month. That was above the government's criteria for worker compensation.

The lawyers also said the woman's senior performers burned her forehead with a curling iron and called her a liar during a rehearsal.

The lawyers said the plaintiffs are demanding an apology and compensation from the company. ...continue reading

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