Bringing Japan's Sleeping Cultural Resources to the World: UZETSU INC. Launches with Proprietary IP 'UZETSU'
UZETSU INC. was founded in February 2026 to transform Japan's local cultural resources into world-class entertainment. Led by four internationally acclaimed young professionals, the company aims to challenge the global market through its proprietary IP, 'UZETSU'.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 1, 2026 at 19:27
- 🔍 Collected: June 1, 2026 at 10:35
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 1, 2026 at 19:58 (9h 23m after Collected)
UZETSU INC. was established in February 2026 as a company specializing in city promotion, elevating local Japanese cultural resources into world-class entertainment centered on its proprietary IP, 'UZETSU'. The company aims to challenge the international market with sustainable entertainment IP originating from Japan.
The company was founded by four core members with international experience in their respective fields: Yuko Shimoji (CEO/Creative Director), a former ballerina and director who was the first Japanese to reach the finals of the La Scala directing competition; Misa Sugiyama (Director/Performance Director), a former Japanese artistic swimming representative who performed in Cirque du Soleil's 'O' for seven years; Ryosuke Hara (Director/Scenographer), a first-class architect with awards including the Architectural Institute of Japan national selection; and Kyoichi Iwakiri (Music Director), a taiko performer and composer who received the Prime Minister's Award. They handle everything from planning and directing to production and operation.
In just one year since the prototype announcement at Tokyo Creative Salon 2025, UZETSU has grown into a work that has mobilized a total of 3,500 people across six countries. In September 2025, they held a promotional performance in New York, and in December, they performed on an outdoor stage for approximately 30,000 people at Burj Park in Dubai. On February 26, 2026, the full version premiered at Shinagawa Club eX, with all 300 seats selling out immediately.
CEO Yuko Shimoji stated, 'I want to brighten Japan once again. Culture is the last fortress left in Japan,' expressing her determination to deliver Japanese aesthetics to the world through non-verbal performance. Hiroshi Ohnishi, President of SBI Regional Revitalization Creators Co., Ltd., also expressed his support, calling it a significant project that aims to disseminate the spirituality and aesthetic sense of Japanese culture in a global context.
Since its inception, the company has received numerous inquiries from both public and private sectors, including projects for the Japan Tourism Agency and night content development at Akasaka Hikawa Shrine, marking a full-scale start toward establishing a new entertainment IP from Japan.
The company was founded by four core members with international experience in their respective fields: Yuko Shimoji (CEO/Creative Director), a former ballerina and director who was the first Japanese to reach the finals of the La Scala directing competition; Misa Sugiyama (Director/Performance Director), a former Japanese artistic swimming representative who performed in Cirque du Soleil's 'O' for seven years; Ryosuke Hara (Director/Scenographer), a first-class architect with awards including the Architectural Institute of Japan national selection; and Kyoichi Iwakiri (Music Director), a taiko performer and composer who received the Prime Minister's Award. They handle everything from planning and directing to production and operation.
In just one year since the prototype announcement at Tokyo Creative Salon 2025, UZETSU has grown into a work that has mobilized a total of 3,500 people across six countries. In September 2025, they held a promotional performance in New York, and in December, they performed on an outdoor stage for approximately 30,000 people at Burj Park in Dubai. On February 26, 2026, the full version premiered at Shinagawa Club eX, with all 300 seats selling out immediately.
CEO Yuko Shimoji stated, 'I want to brighten Japan once again. Culture is the last fortress left in Japan,' expressing her determination to deliver Japanese aesthetics to the world through non-verbal performance. Hiroshi Ohnishi, President of SBI Regional Revitalization Creators Co., Ltd., also expressed his support, calling it a significant project that aims to disseminate the spirituality and aesthetic sense of Japanese culture in a global context.
Since its inception, the company has received numerous inquiries from both public and private sectors, including projects for the Japan Tourism Agency and night content development at Akasaka Hikawa Shrine, marking a full-scale start toward establishing a new entertainment IP from Japan.
FAQ
How does UZETSU approach regional revitalization?
By transforming local cultural assets into high-value, non-verbal entertainment performances that appeal to global audiences.