Choreographer "SHOJIN," Who Led a Successful Show at Disneyland California with 150 Japanese Dancers, Takes Charge as General Director! Recruitment Begins for Miyazaki Prefecture Shintomi Town's First Parade

The Koyu Regional Development Promotion Organization (located in Shintomi Town, Miyazaki Prefecture; Representative Director: Keiji Okamoto; hereinafter "Koyu Foundation") will hold Shintomi Town's first-ever parade event, "SHINTOMI STREET THEATER," on Sunday, August 16, 2026. Furthermore, they are recruiting participants for this project, which will parade through the streets of the Hirata area, including the Lupi Mall Nijigaoka Shopping Street, and culminate in an original show on the stage at Sakura Minami Park. The general director is SHOJIN, a choreographer active worldwide who has handled dance scenes for shows at Disneyland California and the opening ceremony of Rugby World Cup 2019, involving 340 dancers. Guest artists include Kaito, the Argentine Tango Asian Champion; saki, a choreographer who has worked on routines for Official Hige Dandism and Nogizaka46; and Zabu, a dancer/entertainer active both domestically and internationally, known as a pioneer of New Style Hustle in Japan. Together with participants from within and outside Shintomi Town, they will create a one-day-only entertainment experience unique to Shintomi Town. This project is a new initiative of "MIRISE," which aims to create "30 projects, 100 works, and 1,000 creative individuals annually," starting from the cultural hall. It provides local children and youth with an 'extraordinary experiential value' to be enjoyed with all five senses. *This will be the town's first parade as an entertainment event. Background: "SHINTOMI STREET THEATER" was born with the aim of broadening dreams and choices through the experience of experiencing and co-creating top-tier entertainment up close. Viewing the entire town of Shintomi, not just the theater, as a single creative space, the project aims to foster a desire for creation in each individual, making them "creators" as children, local residents, and participants from outside Miyazaki Prefecture unite to create a work. It seeks to generate emotions that can only arise in Shintomi Town, which has a long history of the Shintomi Town Musical and various other challenges and expressions. Event Overview: Project Name: SHINTOMI STREET THEATER; Date: Sunday, August 16, 2026; Venues: Hirata Area, Shintomi Town / Sakura Minami Park / Lupinus Mirai Theater (Shintomi Town Cultural Hall), etc.; Content: Parade through the Hirata area, original show, etc. *Special programs like experiential workshops are planned for the previous day, the 15th (details to be announced later). General Director: SHOJIN. A choreographer active worldwide, known for shows at Disneyland California and the 340-dancer scene at the Rugby World Cup 2019 opening ceremony. Also famous as a lecturer whose workshops are hard to book, having produced many successful candidates for major musicals and theme parks nationwide. Guests: Kaito & Saki. Kaito: Argentine Tango Asian Champion. Winner of the 2024 Tango Dance Asia Championship and the only Asian finalist at the world championships. Saki: A choreographer and dancer who worked with a US dance company and has choreographed for Official Hige Dandism, Aimyon, and Nogizaka46. Zabu: A dancer/entertainer active domestically and internationally, a pioneer of New Style Hustle in Japan. Has appeared on NHK E-Tele's "E Dance Academy" and TV Asahi's "MUSIC STATION," and advanced to the finals of Japan's largest dance competition, "JAPAN DANCE DELIGHT." Cooperation: M-STELLA / Radiance Miyazaki / Shintomi Town Musical. Performer Recruitment Overview: Content: Participation in the parade and original show; Recruitment Period: Friday, June 5, 2026 – Sunday, July 5, 2026; Eligibility: Elementary school students and above, from within or outside Shintomi Town, dance experience not required. Schedule (subject to change): August 16 (Sun) Parade 17:00-18:00, Original Show 18:30-19:00. Rehearsal Dates: July 11 (Sat) 10:00-17:00 @ Lupinus Mirai Theater Main Hall; July 12 (Sun) 9:00-12:00 @ Lupinus Mirai Theater Event Hall; August 15 (Sat) 16:30-20:00 @ Lupinus Mirai Theater Main Hall; August 16 (Sun) 10:00-16:00 @ Lupinus Mirai Theater Main Hall. Confirmation Items: Participants must be available for rehearsals on the evening of August 15 and the rehearsals and performance on August 16. Rehearsals on July 11 and 12 are not mandatory as content will be shared via video later, but participants must be able to dance by August 15. Parental consent required for elementary and junior high school students. Travel expenses are to be borne by participants. Photography and video recording will take place; those who cannot be filmed should inform in advance. Accommodation on August 15 may be arranged by the organizers for out-of-prefecture participants depending on numbers (accommodation costs to be borne by participants). Parade participants can join the special program before the rehearsal on August 15 (starting around 13:00) for free. *Special Program (planned): Experiential workshops, guest demonstrations, guest special talks, etc. Participation Fee: Shintomi Town residents: 4,000 yen; Participants from outside Shintomi Town: 5,000 yen. *Both experienced and inexperienced dancers are welcome. Recruitment Period: June 5 (Fri) – July 5 (Sun), 2026. Venue: Hirata Area, Shintomi Town, Miyazaki Prefecture. Main locations: Around Lupi Mall Nijigaoka Shopping Street, Sakura Minami Park, Lupinus Mirai Theater (Shintomi Town Cultural Hall), etc. Post-Application Process: 1. Within one week of application, the management office will send guidance to the email address provided. 2. Confirm the bank account details in the guidance email and transfer the applicable participation fee. 3. After payment confirmation, official participation details will be sent via email. If the email does not arrive, check the spam folder. If it hasn't arrived after a week, contact: SHINTOMI STREET THEATER Management Office: info_mirise@koyu.miyazaki.jp. Organized by: Shintomi Town / Shintomi Town Board of Education / MIRISE Project. Co-organized by: