Kaba-chan

Who is Kaba-chan?

Eiji Kabashima, better known by his stage name Kaba-chan, is an openly gay Japanese celebrity and choreographer. After studying dance in New York City, he returned to Japan and was chosen to become a member of the musical group Dos with Taeco Nishikawa and Asami Yoshino. Already known for his flamboyant character in Dos, he came out publicly on a 2002 episode of the Dancing Sanma Palace variety show and later became a regular panelist on Waratte Iitomo! from 2002 to 2005.

Kaba-chan was also a contestant on two editions of Japan's Dancing with the Stars entitled Shall We Dance?, winning its "1 day special" episode with dancing partner Hidemi Yamamoto performing a pasodoble and also winning its second "1 day special" with partner RYOKO performing a salsa.