New National Theatre Tokyo

New National Theatre Tokyo

The New National Theatre, Tokyo (NNTT) (新国立劇場, Shin Kokuritsu Gekijō?) is Japan's first and foremost national centre for the performing arts, including opera, ballet, contemporary dance and drama. It is located in the Shinjuku area of Tokyo.

The construction of the NNTT was completed in February 1997, with its first public performances taking place in October of that year. The centre has been praised for its architecture and state-of-the-art modern theatre facilities, which are considered among the best in the world.

Besides the public performances, various enterprises are undertaken, such as the young artist training programmes (for ballet, opera, and theatre), theatre rental for other performing arts groups, performing arts-related exhibitions, public usage of its video library and book library, public performances for children and young students, backstage tours, and most importantly, international exchanges for performing arts events, etc. Moreover, The Stage Set & Design Centre (located in Choshi city, Chiba Prefecture), stores and exhibits previously-used stage scenery and costumes.

The arts management of NNTT, including the enterprises in above, is commissioned to New National Theatre Foundation (NNTF) from the independent administrative institution, known as The Japan Arts Council. NNTT is managed by several trust funds, government grants, admission revenues, and private donations from many supporting companies.

The NNTT has been repeatedly criticized for its bureaucratic arts administration, which is very representative of usual Japanese politics. While generously financed by the Japanese government, major conductors, directors, and performing artists have all complained that their creative ideas are restricted by the bureaucratic style of the arts management.

In 2007 the NNTT was branded with the advertising slogan: Opera Palace, Tokyo.

The Tokyo Opera City Tower is connected to the theatre.