No longer shushed: Japan’s cultural venues make room for children

For parents of young children, a night at the theater in Japan can come with an important calculation: Will my child sit still — and what happens if they don’t?

Many Japanese cultural institutions, however, are working to ease that tension, welcoming children and emphasizing the need to cultivate audiences early.

“Expanding the base of supporters is essential to preserving traditional culture,” says Manabu Senda, general manager of Tokyo’s Kabukiza theater.