From Court Spectacle to Cultural Market: The Economics of Aspirational Ballet Consumption among Tokyo Youth
Sara Sakane
American School in Japan, Tokyo, Japan
Publication date: November 20, 2025
American School in Japan, Tokyo, Japan
Publication date: November 20, 2025
DOI: http://doi.org/10.34614/JIYRC2025II24
ABSTRACT
Ballet, once an exclusive experience good, now faces structural challenges in sustaining relevance within the entertainment market. Using an online survey of 74 respondents and an OLS regression, this study investigates aspirational consumption of ballet and their determinants among Tokyo’s youth. Results show that current ballet engagement is the strongest positive predictor of aspirational consumption, while students with the highest income expectations report significantly lower interest, suggesting a decline in ballet’s luxury good status. Female respondents demonstrated higher future interest, while peer and parental influences were statistically insignificant. Findings highlight a shift toward individually driven cultural preferences among youth and suggest strategies for targeted engagement in Japan’s evolving cultural market. The study recommends that ballet organizations prioritize immersive programs, digital outreach, and progressive exposure pathways, targeting middle-income demographics rather than elite positioning, to sustain audience development and ensure long-term viability of the art form.
Ballet, once an exclusive experience good, now faces structural challenges in sustaining relevance within the entertainment market. Using an online survey of 74 respondents and an OLS regression, this study investigates aspirational consumption of ballet and their determinants among Tokyo’s youth. Results show that current ballet engagement is the strongest positive predictor of aspirational consumption, while students with the highest income expectations report significantly lower interest, suggesting a decline in ballet’s luxury good status. Female respondents demonstrated higher future interest, while peer and parental influences were statistically insignificant. Findings highlight a shift toward individually driven cultural preferences among youth and suggest strategies for targeted engagement in Japan’s evolving cultural market. The study recommends that ballet organizations prioritize immersive programs, digital outreach, and progressive exposure pathways, targeting middle-income demographics rather than elite positioning, to sustain audience development and ensure long-term viability of the art form.
