In the closing days of the Tokyo International Film Festival, The Hollywood Reporter Japan sprinkled some old-school glamour on proceedings with a lavish party at The Peninsula Hotel in Ginza.
On Oct. 30, THR Japan took over Peter Restaurant for an event that saw some of the biggest names in Japan’s movie industry mingle, enjoy exquisite canapés and unique drinks from Sake Hundred surrounded on three sides by the spectacular nighttime views of Tokyo from the 24th floor of The Peninsula.
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The opening ceremony saw speeches from Tokyo Film Festival chairman Hiroyasu Ando; Tsukasa Shiga, chairman of Hersey Shiga Global the digital media giant that licenses THR Japan in collaboration with Penske Media Corporation; Japan’s Environment Minister, and noted film buff, ; and THR‘s Asia Bureau Chief Patrick Brzeski.
Among the local entertainment industry guests were Cannes Palme d’Or-winning and Oscar-nominated filmmaker Hirokazu Koreeda, Japanese acting icon (The Wailing, Midway, Kate), actor Takumi Saitoh (, Shin Kamen Rider), Godzilla Minus One director and producer Georgina Pope.
From the Tokyo Film Festival, jury members Tran Thi Bich Ngoc, Markus Nornes and Albert Serra were also spotted.
Also in attendance from the studio side were Toho Cinemas president Takayuki Ikeda; Kazushi Sato, deputy managing director and senior vp at Sony Pictures Entertainment; Gaku Narita, head of Japan contents, executive director at Disney; and Belina Tan, vp corporate communications at Disney APAC.
The party also attracted local Tokyo dignitaries, including Ishii Mitsuko and Hirofumi Nakasone, members of the House of Councillors of Japan; Junko Koyama, president of Clarins Japan; Kathy Knowles, marketing director of MSC Cruises; Roberto Barbieri, director at MHD; Yuiko Murase and Masashi Tanimura from Mitsubishi Estate; and Costin Mandrea, Coca Cola Bottlers executive officer and CCO.
Launched in January, THR Japan is a Tokyo-based Japanese-language entertainment publication that includes significant industry news translated from THR‘s flagship website, as well as original reporting on the Japanese entertainment business.
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