News

Regarding the performance "DANCE×Scrum!!! 2024" at KAAT Kanagawa Arts Theatre from May 3rd to 6th, we have received Inquiry from several people regarding the Cast of Israeli artists and the appropriateness of the Sponsorship of the Israeli Embassy. We understand that these are questions about the nature of our theatre and public cultural facilities, and as they are deeply related to our management policy, after consulting with Artistic Director Nagatsuka, we would like to state the theatre's position as follows.

KAAT Kanagawa Arts Theatre expresses its deep concern over the many civilians who have become victims of the wars and violence occurring around the world, including in Palestine/Israel, and hopes for the situation to be resolved as soon as possible.

Our theatre opposes all violence and inhumane acts from all positions. At the same time, we aim to be a place for cultural and artistic expression that is open to everyone, regardless of nationality, gender, ideology, creed, etc., on the premise that we are not directly involved in such acts. Furthermore, in compliance with the "Law for Promoting Efforts to Eliminate Unfair Discriminatory Speech and Behavior Against Foreign Nationals," we cannot prevent performances or Cast based on the various attributes of the performers, as long as the expression itself is not antisocial. Regarding the performance in question, we received information from the organizers in advance that none of the participating members are directly involved in violence or inhumane acts, and we decided that there was no need to cancel the performance or cancel the Cast.

In addition, with regard to Sponsorship by related organizations in international cultural exchange, we believe that theatre and organizers should make independent decisions about how to support artists, and that international cultural exchange must continue in order to demonstrate the possibility of diverse cultures coexisting. We were informed in advance that the works and artists in this performance did not contain any expressions or intentions that could be construed as promoting national prestige or glorifying war, and we have confirmed that in fact no such expressions were found.

Taking a stance against all violence and inhumane acts, we believe that the role of culture and the arts is to create opportunities for direct or indirect dialogue, especially in times of conflict, clash, or war. With this in theatre, we will continue to consider what public cultural facilities, as public spaces, are expected to do in society.

Kanagawa Arts Foundation
Jun Mano, Director of KAAT Kanagawa Arts Theatre