Lu
Founder of Pole Dance Tokyo | Entrepreneur | Producer | Educator | Dancer
Lu is a pioneer who introduced Pole Dance Fitness and Aerial Yoga to Japan from New York, USA. She also launched Tokyo’s first Aerial Hoop (Lyra) classes, helping establish and develop the pole dance and aerial arts industry in Japan.
In 2005, Lu began teaching pole dance in New York City. In 2006, she founded Pole Dance Tokyo, Japan’s first specialised Pole Dance and Aerial Arts studio, located in Akasaka, Tokyo. For over 20 years, she has played a leading role in the industry’s growth and development.
In the same year, she secured the exclusive Japanese distribution rights for X-POLE, becoming the first person to import and distribute professional pole dance equipment in Japan. She served as the exclusive national distributor for 10 years and helped lay the foundation for Japan’s pole dance equipment market.
In addition to her work as a dancer, choreographer, stage director, and event producer, Lu has operated performer management and talent agencies representing both Japanese and international dancers and aerial artists. She has also been involved in the operation of national pole dance organisations and instructor certification programs.
Lu has performed alongside artists from Cirque du Soleil and served as an official judge for numerous national and international Pole Dance and Aerial Arts competitions. During the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, she worked for Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS), the official broadcaster of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), serving as Deputy Venue Manager for Artistic Gymnastics and International Media Manager.
She has been involved in the organisation of international and national pole dance championships and has subsequently been invited worldwide as a Japanese representative judge for international competitions.
As an educator and performer, Lu has taught, lectured, performed, and conducted workshops in more than 20 countries, contributing to the advancement of Pole Dance and Aerial Arts while fostering international cultural exchange.
In 2026, she published her book:
“Women Who Chose to Change Their Future”
(Rashisa Publishing)
Born in Nagasaki and raised in Fukuoka, Japan, Lu has lived in New York, London, Hong Kong, Singapore, Belgium, and Sweden. >Lu’s Official Website
Key Achievements
- First person to introduce Pole Dance Fitness to Japan
- First person to introduce Aerial Yoga to Japan
- Founder of Tokyo’s first Aerial Hoop (Lyra) program
- Founder of Japan’s first dedicated Pole Dance & Aerial Arts studio, Pole Dance Tokyo
- Exclusive Japanese distributor of X-POLE
- International Pole Dance & Aerial Arts Competition Judge
- Conducted workshops, lectures, and performances in over 20 countries
- First performer to showcase Pole Dance on Japan’s national broadcaster NHK
- Choreographer for SMAP
- Performed with Cirque du Soleil artists
- Deputy Venue Manager & International Media Manager for OBS during the Tokyo Olympic & Paralympic Games
- Appeared in Netflix’s Tokyo Vice and numerous international film and television productions
- Attendee and performer at the Cannes Film Festival
- Published author
Selected Collaborations & Choreography Credits
Cirque du Soleil Artists, Chiaki Takahashi, SMAP, AI, globe, DJ OZMA, Kishidan, Wagakki Band, Dita Von Teese, Shinsuke Nakamura (WWE), Anna Umemiya, Jessica Michibata, and many others.
Television Appearances
Featured on BBC, FOX TV, NHK, Nippon TV, TBS, Fuji TV, TV Asahi, TV Tokyo, and numerous other media outlets.
Selected appearances include:
- Downtown DX
- Matsuko Kaigi
- Shabekuri 007
- Guruguru Ninety-Nine
- The Tetsuwan DASH!!
- Ousama no Brunch
- KinSuma (Kinyoubi no Smile-tachi e)
- Moyamoya Summers 2
- Mezamashi TV
International Judging Experience 2026~2026
- International Pole Dance Championship (Philippines)
- International Pole Dance Championship (Japan)
- International Pole Dance Championship (Sweden)
- International Pole Dance Championship (Hong Kong)
- Pole Art Finland
- Miss Pole Dance Japan
- International Pole Dance Championship (Singapore)
- Viva Circus (Malaysia)
Education
Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), London
Master’s Degree Program
(Degree awarded by King’s College London)
Additional Training
- Broadway Dance Centre, New York
- Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, New York
- London Film School, United Kingdom
- Raindance Film School, United Kingdom
- Circus Maniacs School of Circus Arts, United Kingdom
Certifications & Professional Training
- AFAA International Group Fitness Instructor (IGFI)
- Completed STOTT PILATES Mat Training
Philanthropic Activities
- Pink Ribbon Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign
- The Tyler Robinson Foundation
- Fujimino Pet Adoption Association
- Soy Dog Foundation
- Hands On Tokyo
- Second Harvest Japan
- World Vision Japan