Kabuki Star Opens Fukuoka's New NCB Hall

Jun 09, 2026 | News On Japan

FUKUOKA - A new multifunctional hall inside the West Japan City Building, the new headquarters of Nishi-Nippon City Bank, officially opened on June 8th, with renowned kabuki actor Ichikawa Danjuro performing a celebratory dance during the opening ceremony.

The ceremony was held for the NCB Hall, a multifunctional venue located on the second basement floor of the West Japan City Building in Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City.

Approximately 370 local residents were invited to attend the event, where Danjuro performed a traditional dance to commemorate the opening.

"Congratulations once again on the opening of this new theater," Danjuro said during the ceremony.

The NCB Hall, which can accommodate up to about 400 people, features walls, floors, and other interior elements made from timber sourced in Kyushu. The venue is also equipped with advanced acoustic technology, making it suitable for professional concerts and other performances.

The company operating the hall said it hopes the facility's high-quality acoustics and sophisticated design will contribute to cultural exchange and economic revitalization in the region.

Source: FBS

Bear Sightings Continue Across Utsunomiya as Schools Remain Closed

A state of heightened alert remained in place in Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture, on June 9th after a series of bear sightings continued across the city, with authorities warning that as many as two bears may be moving through residential neighborhoods. All 94 municipal elementary and junior high schools remained closed for a second day as officials searched for the animals.

Sakurajima Eruption Blankets Kagoshima in Volcanic Ash

A prolonged eruption at Sakurajima on June 7th blanketed parts of Kagoshima City in volcanic ash, turning roads gray and prompting long lines of vehicles seeking car washes after a plume of smoke rose 1,300 meters above the crater.

Japan Lifts Tsunami Advisories After Philippines Quake

A powerful earthquake struck off Mindanao Island in the southern Philippines at 8:38 a.m. (Japan time) on June 8th, generating tsunami waves across parts of the Pacific, causing building collapses and casualties near the epicenter, and prompting the Japan Meteorological Agency to issue tsunami advisories along a wide stretch of Japan's Pacific coastline before lifting all of them at 4:50 p.m.

Unlicensed Peruvian Man Conducts Risky Medical Procedure During Delivery

A clinic director and a former Peruvian staff member have been referred to prosecutors after the man allegedly performed medical procedures without a license, including an external cephalic version—a procedure used to manually turn a baby into the correct position before birth—at an obstetrics and gynecology clinic in Fukuoka City, raising concerns about patient safety and oversight in maternity care.

Bear Spotted Running Through Central Utsunomiya Shopping District

A large bear was captured on security camera footage running through a shopping arcade in central Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture, in the early hours of June 7th, as authorities stepped up warnings following a series of bear sightings across the city.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Entertainment NEWS

Kabuki Star Opens Fukuoka's New NCB Hall

A new multifunctional hall inside the West Japan City Building, the new headquarters of Nishi-Nippon City Bank, officially opened on June 8th, with renowned kabuki actor Ichikawa Danjuro performing a celebratory dance during the opening ceremony.

Facebook Dating Review 2026: Is It Worth It for Real Love?

The global online dating market is absolutely booming, and meeting your significant other online has become the new normal for millions of singles worldwide.

From Atari to Nintendo, the War for the Video Game Industry (Docummentary)

In this NHK documentary, the history of video games is told as the story of a new kind of empire: the rise of software.

The Beginning of a Powerful Kabuki Alliance?

Today, we take a look at the kabuki performance at the Hakata-za theatre in Fukuoka, which conclude the shūmei ceremony of the actor Onoe Kikugorō VIII and his son, Onoe Kikunosuke VI.

BAKI-DOU: The Invincible Samurai Part 2 | Official Trailer

Beneath Tokyo Skytree, in a research laboratory owned by preeminent martial arts enthusiast Mitsunari Tokugawa, a forbidden experiment is underway. Using cutting-edge science and technology, the experiment aims to create a clone from the corpse of legendary swordsman Musashi Miyamoto and resurrect him in the present day.