The Shanghai International Arts Festival this year showcases the arts, culture and entertainment of Japan, in the tradition of dazzling guest country shows from Australia, Egypt, France, Mexico, Russia and Singapore.

Titled "Japanese Culture Week," the performances run for the entire month, along with other offerings worldwide. Japan's top eight performances include pop concerts, ballet, fashion shows and art exhibitions.

"We feature performances that represent cultural and art development in modern Japan and how artists modernize traditional Japanese culture," says Wu Minmin, curator of the Japanese Cultural Week.

One of the highlights will be fashion designer Katsura Yumi's catwalk show. The veteran has a reputation for brilliantly blending Oriental elements into Western wedding gowns.

"They represent the trend in modern Japanese culture - artists seeking the balance between traditional and international. And this is what we offer spectators," Wu says.

Japan's offerings begin with pop diva Hamasaki Ayumi's concert on Saturday. The 30-year-old singer is known as Japan's "Empress of Pop" for her long-lasting popularity.

She is also well-known in China, not only for her hit songs and dance routines, but also for her fashion trends. The highest-selling female singer in Japan, Hamasaki has sold more than 50 million album and EP copies.

"Shanghai will be a stage for the past 10 years of my career. I will show all of myself - the past, the present and the future," says the singer. VIP tickets to her concert were sold out within an hour.

Japanese performers in Shanghai will also include folk singer Natsukawa Rimi and idol group Arashi. Referred to as "a great singer over 40 years" by Japanese media, Natsukawa sings in China more frequently than other Japanese singers. Many of her songs were reproduced into Chinese hit songs.

Moreover, the cultural week also includes more high-brow acts such as the Japanese NBA Ballet and Press Start Game Music concert.

The world-famous NBA Ballet Troupe is known for fusing traditional ballet and modern dance. It has performed in Russia, Britain, the United States and elsewhere. The show also features dancers Ashley Bouder and Joaquin De Luz, leading dancers with the New York City Ballet.

Established in 2006, Press Start refers to pressing the start button before a new game. Press Start performances cleverly present gaming melodies through symphony, accompanied projected computer generated gaming videos.

(Shanghai Daily October 17, 2008)