Fujitsu presents technology for the practice of classical Japanese theater

CHIBA, Japan (Reuters) – Fujitsu is unveiling technology for analyzing human movements that it says could help preserve traditional culture as Japan struggles with a shrinking population.

Visitors to a trade fair near Tokyo were able to try out movements from the classic “Noh” theater by capturing their movements on cameras, analyzing them and comparing them with a model performance.

Noh theater dates back to the 14th century and involves stylized movements performed by actors in masks and elaborate costumes.

“It was easier to understand visually than told in words, and was analyzed in a short time, making me want to practice more,” said Takashi Ishikawa, a 46-year-old high school teacher who visited the Fujitsu booth.

Fujitsu's technology is already used in sports and has been used as a tool for assessing artistic gymnastics since 2019.

“With the declining birth rate and aging population in Japan, there are fewer and fewer people carrying on traditions and techniques,” said Hidenori Fujiwara, head of Human Digital Twin at Fujitsu.

“We want to help people learn and experience human movement,” he said at the CEATEC electronics trade fair near Tokyo.

The company also demonstrated how its technology can be used to visualize visitors' basketball shooting technique. His systems have been used in Pilates schools in Tokyo since August.

(Reporting by Irene Wang, Miyu Arishima and Sam Nussey; Editing by Alison Williams)