Takarazuka Music School in Hyogo Prefecture says 40 students have passed the examination to enter the institute this spring.

The entrance exam was the first since a 25-year-old member of the Takarazuka Revue musical theater company died last year, and the least competitive since 2000.

The school announced the successful applicants on its website on Wednesday.

It stopped showing the exam results on campus amid the coronavirus pandemic. The school said it continued to do so this year in consideration of various circumstances.

Some people visited the school and took photos after confirming they had been admitted.

A 16-year-old who passed the exam on her second attempt said her dream is to stand on the stage. She added she aims to be a performer who can make audiences smile with her singing and dancing.

School officials say 480 people took the exam this year with a rate of one successful applicant out of 12 hopefuls. The ratio was down from 15.3 last year, and the lowest since 2000.

In September last year, a member of Takarazuka Revue was found dead in a suspected suicide. Her family said she had suffered harassment involving senior performers and senior theater officials.

The family has demanded the theater company offer an apology and pay compensation. Talks are currently underway.

The entrance ceremony is scheduled for April 19.
The students will spend two years taking lessons in performing arts, such as singing and ballet, to start a career as a stage performer.