People involved in cultural and sporting events in Japan were delighted at the news that the government has finally decided to ease restrictions on the events put in place to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus.
"It's like a second start as a theater company. I'm grateful," Isao Yokokawa, 75, production director of The Theater Company of Toen, which has a theater in the Shimokitazawa district of Tokyo, said Friday.
Since around springtime, the company has been forced to cancel or postpone many of its planned performances due to the pandemic.
They have been careful about infection control measures, such as by limiting audiences to about half of the theater's capacity. The theater in Shimokitazawa has been mainly used as a rehearsal hall for the company's members.
The troupe is scheduled to begin rehearsals Sept. 23 for a new performance to debut in early November. The theater has decided to allow audience sizes up to 70% of capacity.
"Acting in front of large audiences is also encouraging for the members of the company. We want people to to enjoy live theater while remaining vigilant about infection control," Yokokawa said.
The government has gradually eased restrictions on events since the state of emergency was lifted. Starting July 10, events with "no more than 5,000 people" or "no more than half the venue's capacity" have been allowed.
Restrictions were scheduled to be eased further on Aug. 1, but when the number of infections began rising again, it was decided to put this off until the end of September.
The most recent loosening of rules will allow small-scale events in which the audience does not speak or cheer to be held at 100% capacity.
According to Masato Kishi, deputy director general of the Association of Public Theaters and Halls in Japan, which formulated infection control guidelines for the performing arts, the break-even point of many performances is to have 80% of capacity or more.
"If the 50% capacity limitation continues, losses will only pile up. We welcome the lifting of restrictions," he said.
Some say it is not easy to attract again visitors who have been displaced for fear of infection.
The movie theater Theater Pole-Pole Higashi-Nakano in Nakano Ward, Tokyo, has been operating at half capacity. Manager Takahiro Otsuki said, "I can't say I'm happy to let things go. Seats won't fill up soon, and some customers will probably worry about crowding."
Live music performances, which often involve cheering or singing by the audience, will remain limited to 50% capacity.
The secretariat of the All Japan Concert & Live Entertainment Promoters Conference has complained about not being treated in the same way as theater stages and other genres of events, saying it would call for further relaxation of the rules.
There will likely to be more opportunities to watch professional baseball at the stadium.
Atsushi Ihara, secretary general of the Nippon Professional Baseball Organization, announced Friday that an extraordinary meeting of league's 12 teams would be held to discuss how to deal with the easing of rules on the number of spectators.
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