Japan Society presents CIBO MATTO and YU SAKAI

Japan Society, New York's premier home for Japanese performers, cutting-edge pop and avant-garde experimentation, has announced the first two music programs of the 2011-2012 season. On Thursday, October 20 at 8:00pm, the Society welcomes NYC-based, genre-breaking pop band Cibo Matto with up-and-coming, singer/songwriter Yu Sakai from Japan. On Saturday November 19 at 8:30pm, internationally-recognized visual artist and one of the acknowledged inventors of turntablism Christian Marclay takes the stage along with his frequent collaborator, the acclaimed Japanese multi-instrumentalist and composer Otomo Yoshihide.

Yoko Shioya the artistic director of Japan Society, has chosen these artists based on the criteria of quality, significance to the national music scene and accessibility. "Both in style of programming and in location, Japan Society has always been about the ‘Far East'," jokes Ms. Shioya, in reference to the Society's First Avenue and East 47th Street location, "but we believe that performances of this caliber are bound to appeal to audiences of all ages and levels of familiarity with Japanese culture. Our message to contemporary music goers is that this is the season to visit Japan Society for the first time." The Society's intimate, seated amphitheater and state-of-the-art sound and lighting make for a truly memorable concert going experience.

To view a complete preview of the entire Japan Society season, hosted by Ms. Shioya, please visit and enter the password JSPA2011.

Founded in 1907, Japan Society is a world-class, multidisciplinary hub for both English and Japanese-speaking artists and audiences. Since the inception of the Performing Arts Program in 1953, Japan Society has produced more than 600 showings of Japan's finest performing arts to an extensive American audience in and out of New York City. Program topics range from the traditional to the avant-garde. Japan Society commissions new works, administrates national tours, organizes residency programs for American and Japanese artists and develops and distributes educational programs. The Society is responsible for hosting more than 100 events each year. An American nonprofit, nonpolitical organization, the Society's overarching goal is to cultivate a constructive, resonant and dynamic relationship between the people of the U.S. and Japan.

Tickets for shows at Japan Society may be reserved now by calling the Japan Society box office at 212-715-1258 or by visiting www.japansociety.org