What is JIENKYO?
It has been almost 39 years since JIENKYO, short in Japanese for Japan Union of Theatre Companies for Children and Young People, started in 1975. The union now has 64 professional companies in various genres such as musical, straight play, puppet play, shadow play, pantomime, and folk performing arts, all for children and young audiences. Since its start, JIENKYO has worked with teachers to develop ‘theatre in education’ style at school, and also with parents to enlarge ‘Oyako Gekijo’ and ‘Kodomo Gekijo’ (both are associations for family audience system particular in Japan) movements.
In 2001, the Fundamental Law for Promoting Culture and Arts was at long last put into effect to support to theatre for children. It was for the first time for TYA in Japan to be officially recognized by law to get supported. In spite of that, JIENKYO is facing a hard time in finance caused by several facts; decrease in child-population, change in the school system, and financial difficulties in local governments.
At the same time, however, there arises public opinions pointing that it is important for children to access to live theatre performances for their lively growth.
JIENKYO Japan Union of Theatre Companies for Children and Young People
Geino-Kadensha 2-4 6-12-30 Nishi-shinjuku Shinjuku-ku Tokyo 160-0023