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Paper short abstract:

This paper explores the connection between Tsukiji Little Theater and New National Theatre, Tokyo, Japan’s first national theater for modern plays. The movement to establish a national theater in Japan began after WWII. Some artists leading the movement were members of Tsukiji Little Theater.

Paper long abstract:

　This paper explores the connection between Tsukiji Little Theater, the first private theater for modern plays in Japan, and New National Theatre, Tokyo. New National Theatre, Tokyo, opened in 1997, and is Japan’s first national theater for modern plays. The movement to establish a national theater in Japan began immediately after the end of World War II. Many artists negotiated with the government to establish a national theater, and some of them were affiliated with the Tsukiji Little Theater in some way. This paper will explore how members of Tsukiji Little Theater contributed to the establishment of New National Theatre, Tokyo, with some examples.

　The first example is Yoshi Hijikata, who was a theater director and one of the founders of Tsukiji Little Theater. He advocated the establishment of a national theater two years after the end of World War II. However, the proposal did not materialize due to the political climate. The second is Koreya Senda, who was an actor, theater director, and one of the youngest members of the Tsukiji Little Theater. He was an important negotiator with the government in planning a national theater for modern plays. When National Theatre of Japan, Japan’s first national theater for traditional plays, opened in 1966, some modern performing artists, including Senda, protested against the government. Following that protest, the government expressed continuing plans to establish a national theater for modern plays. The third is Keita Asari, who was the theater director and producer of Shiki Theatre Company, a famous musical theater company in Japan. He was also the son of Tsuruo Asari, a founding member of Tsukiji Little Theater. Keita Asari had connections with conservative politicians and used these contacts to argue the necessity of a national theater for modern plays. Along with Senda, Asari coordinated between the government and artists during the preparation for the opening of New National Theatre, Tokyo.

　Through these examples, this paper will position New National Theatre, Tokyo, as a legacy of Tsukiji Little Theater.