The puppets are about half of human size, and look very real. Each puppet is operated by three people, who are visible on the stage. Performances can be very emotionally intense. Modern theater is also popular in Japan. Tokyo's theaters present many plays from the West including works by Shakespeare, Chekhov, Ibsen, Williams, and other famous foreign playwrights.
Philharmonic orchestras perform a wide variety of music throughout Japan.
Japan's film industry has a distinguished history. The first big stars of Japanese films were solitary, sword-fighting heroes. Japan also has a thriving folk tradition. Fold songs, instrumental music, and dance are all popular today. Seiji Ozawa, the world-famous Japanese conductor, here conducts the Saito Memorial Orchestra.