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Letter From Tokyo

Japan’s comedy acts want to spread laughter around the world

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Veteran manzai comedian Nakata Kausu (left) and Japanese manzai comedy duo Evers.

Japanese veteran manzai comedian Nakata Kausu (left) and manzai comedy duo Evers.

ST PHOTO: WALTER SIM

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- It is impossible to live in Japan without encountering its bevy of owarai comedy entertainers, who have brought relief to the people throughout World War II, economic downturns and – more recently – the Covid-19 pandemic.

The most successful comedians have conquered television screens at home, headlining primetime variety shows and scoring plum drama roles on free-to-air TV channels in Japan, which also broadcast regular comedy programmes.

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