Japanese Musical ‘The Full Monty’ Dares to Go English
By Editor • August 26, 2026 • 1 min read
In a bold cultural crossover, the musical “The Full Monty” has made its debut in Japan, featuring Koji Yamamoto as Jerry Lukowski, an unemployed steelworker.
This English-language production opened on August 19 at the Tokyo International Forum and is set to run until September 7, before heading to Osaka for performances from September 10-14. Yamamoto, alongside Japanese comedian Yuriyan Retriever and a cast of Broadway talents, received a standing ovation on opening night.
This marks Yamamoto's second collaboration with director Trey Ellett, following their successful partnership in 2024 during “Rent.” Performing in English for the first time, Yamamoto described the experience as a unique opportunity.
Source: www.japantimes.co.jp
