Ballet stages revival among Japanese adult women

More middle-aged and elderly women in Japan are taking up classical ballet or returning to lessons for the first time in decades, with tailored classes catering to those who tend to be less flexible than children and younger practitioners, according to the latest trends.

Ballet has become so popular among adult women that there is even a competition exclusively for adults looking to perform on stage.

During a weekday in mid-June, 14 women gathered at a ballet class operated by dance apparel company Chacott Co in Tokyo's Chuo Ward. Most of the women were in their 50s or older.