On February 19, at the invitation of the Min-On Concert Association, the Dance Drama Crested Ibises Exchange Group from the Shanghai Dance Theatre (SDT), organized and dispatched by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), officially launched its Japan tour with the opening performance in Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan.

The dance drama Crested Ibises  is a large-scale stage art production jointly planned, created, and produced by the CPAFFC, the SDT, and other institutions. Through the story of the rebirth of the crested ibis, an endangered species, the drama profoundly illustrates the concept of harmony between humanity and nature. Since its debut, it has received widespread acclaim. In 2014, the CPAFFC collaborated with the Min-On to introduce the drama to Japan for the first time, where it caused a sensation. To meet the eager anticipation of Japanese audiences, in 2015, the CPAFFC once again partnered with the Min-On to organize a tour of Crested Ibises in Japan. Over 65 days, the drama was performed 57 times, attracting over 100,000 spectators and sparking a Crested Ibises craze across Japan.

This marks the third collaboration between the CPAFFC and the Min-On to present Crested Ibises in Japan. The SDT has placed great emphasis on this tour, meticulously refining the main dance segments while retaining the essence of the original choreography. At the same time, the scenographic elements were redesigned and produced to further enhance the theatrical presentation of the drama.

On the day of the first performance, the theater was packed, and the atmosphere was electric. Nearly 2,000 members of the audience were immersed in a world of exquisite art created by skilled dancers, melodious music and a poignant story. As the performance concluded, the audience erupted into prolonged applause. With tears of emotion in their eyes, many spectators remarked that the dance drama not only displayed exceptional artistic mastery but also conveyed humanity's aspiration for peace and the preservation of the common home.

The Japan tour of Crested Ibises will continue until April 22, with plans to stage 55 performances across 30 cities in 28 prefectures of Japan.