The project is the Tokyo performances of the contemporary puppet play “AKUTAGAWA,” a Japan-U.S. collaboration between Hachioji Kuruma Ningyo The Koryu Nishikawa Troupe and American artists. The play explored themes relevant to today’s society, such as life in the pandemic, fake news, and skepticism of shared beliefs. It analyzed Japanese writer Ryunosuke Akutagawa’s life and works from both Japanese and American perspectives, using traditional Japanese puppet techniques, English narration (with Japanese subtitles), shadow puppetry, video, and live music. Tom Lee (puppet artist), Yukio Tsuji (musician), and four cast and staff members joined Koryu Nishikawa V and Ryugyoku Nishikawa, and experienced Japanese designers and technical staff members supported the performances. The event involved Japanese and American artists, with all promotional materials provided in both languages to reach non-Japanese speakers.