Les Misérables
Live in Japan - May 31, 2011
Featuring Takeshi Kaga as Javert

So as many of you know, when Les Mis opened in Japan in 1987, two actors alternated with each other in the roles of Jean Valjean and Javert. The two were Sakae Takita, and Takeshi Kaga.

Kaga seems particularly prominent in the show, he played the role of Jean Valjean on/off from 1987-2001, and in that time he also played Javert, and returned as Javert in 2005, 2007, and 2011.

He is heard on the 1994 Japanese "Red" Cast Recording, but had seemingly never been recorded as Javert, even in audience recordings. That was until this audio finally surfaced just a few weeks ago from the 2011 block of performances. Finally after all this time we can hear how Takeshi Kaga sounded in the role of Javert. And in my opinion he is far superior in this role, primarily as it suits him far more vocally.