Join us at Japan House London for an afternoon talk of all things ballet celebrating the National Ballet of Japan’s debut at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden in July 2025.

Yoshida Miyako, the first Japanese ballerina to be made a Principal dancer of The Royal Ballet (1995–2010) and now artistic director of the National Ballet of Japan, will be joined by two current Principal dancers of The Royal Ballet: Takada Akane and Hirano Ryōichi.

The National Ballet of Japan’s production of Giselle will be performed at the Royal Opera House across five nights in July, marking the first time in 15 years that an Asian dance company has performed there.

The National Ballet of Japan makes their European debut with Yoshida’s production of Giselle, the beloved romantic ballet first performed in Paris in 1841. Giselle, a peasant girl, dies of heartbreak upon discovering her lover Albrecht’s aristocratic identity and his betrothal to another. In the realm of the Wilis—vengeful ghosts of women—Giselle’s love saves Albrecht from death, freeing her own soul in the process.

In this talk, Yoshida discusses the rewards and challenges of staging one of the greatest works in the repertoire, while looking back on her groundbreaking career. Yoshida inspired a whole generation of Japanese ballet dancers to pursue their careers on the ballet stages outside of Japan and her success paved the road for the young artists to thrive in dance companies across the UK. There are currently 11 Japanese dancers performing in various ranks at the Royal Ballet. Two of them, Takada and Hirano, join Yoshida in conversation to reflect on their own personal journeys from Japan to London and how her story has influenced and inspired them.

About the speakers:

Yoshida Miyako

Born and trained in Tokyo, Yoshida Miyako joined The Royal Ballet School in 1983 after winning the Prix de Lausanne. In 1984, she joined Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet (now Birmingham Royal Ballet) and was promoted to Principal in 1988, and in 1995 she joined The Royal Ballet. In 2010 she left The Royal Ballet and started a career as a freelance dancer until she retired from the stage in 2019. She became the Artistic Director of Ballet & Dance for the New National Theatre Tokyo in September 2020.

She received the Global Award in 1989, the Arts Encouragement Prize for Artists of the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture, Japan in 2001, an Honorary OBE (Order of the British Empire), the Purple Ribbon Medal from the Emperor of Japan in 2007, Mainichi Art Award in 2011 and DSC Award in 2012. She was appointed UNESCO Artist for Peace in 2004 and UNHCR Artist in 2012.

Takada Akane

Takada Akane is a Principal of The Royal Ballet. She danced with the Company on a Prix de Lausanne scholarship in 2008 and in 2009 entered the Company as an Artist. She was promoted to First Artist in 2010, Soloist in 2011, First Soloist in 2014 and Principal in 2016.

Takada was born in Tokyo and trained at Hiromi Takahashi Ballet Studio and the Bolshoi Ballet Academy. In the 2008 Prix de Lausanne she won Audience Choice Award in addition to her scholarship with The Royal Ballet.

Hirano Ryōichi

Hirano Ryōichi is a Principal of The Royal Ballet. He joined the Company as a Prix de Lausanne apprentice in 2001 and became an Artist in 2002, promoted to First Artist in 2007, Soloist in 2008, First Soloist in 2012 and Principal in 2016. Hirano was born in Osaka and trained at Setsuko Hirano Ballet School. Awards include the 2001 Prix de Lausanne Gold Medal.

*Please note that filming and / or photography may take place at this event. Photos and footage of the event may then be used to promote Japan House London, helping more people to discover what we offer. If you have any concerns, please contact us online or contact a member of the team on site.

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