In rural areas across Japan, where movie theaters are increasingly becoming scarce, there are individuals who remain deeply committed to providing cinematic experiences for local residents.
Hiroaki Wada, 34, exemplifies this dedication as a cinema enthusiast who relocated from Tokyo to Masuda in Shimane Prefecture. Two years ago, he revived a small theater in a quiet town that had been devoid of such entertainment for 14 years.
Despite facing challenges in the business landscape, Wada’s resolve to bolster the cultural vitality of Masuda, home to 43,500 residents, has only grown stronger.
“It brings me joy to offer a diverse range of films for people to enjoy here,” expressed Wada, whose initiative increased the total number of theaters in Shimane to three, among the lowest in Japan’s 47 prefectures.
According to the Japan Community Cinema Center, the country’s movie theaters decreased from 887 in 2002 to 590 in 2022. Only about 20% of cities, towns, and villages in Japan have movie theaters, primarily concentrated in major urban areas, with nearly half located in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya.
Despite these challenges, Japan’s film and theater industries are experiencing a resurgence, nearly reaching pre-pandemic levels, buoyed by the success of popular animated movies like “The First Slam Dunk” and “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.”
The Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan reported a 3.9% increase in box-office revenue in 2023, totaling 221.4 billion yen ($1.5 billion), with a 2.3% rise in moviegoers to 155.5 million. This growth is attributed to the opening of new multiplexes in major cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Sapporo.
While larger cities are seeing multiplex expansions, smaller regional hubs like Masuda are witnessing a rare occurrence with the establishment of new theaters. Wada’s 200-seat mini-theater, Shimane Cinema Onozawa, primarily screens Japanese films and holds historical significance, providing valuable cultural enrichment in an area lacking such facilities.
Wada attributes the decline of regional theaters to factors such as the popularity of streaming services like Netflix among younger audiences and the maintenance costs of traditional theaters.
Shimane Prefecture, known for its coastal stretch along the Sea of Japan, faced the closure of its last movie theater in Masuda in 2008, forcing residents to travel to neighboring prefectures for cinema experiences.
Wada’s journey began when he learned of Masuda’s theater closure in 2018 while managing a Tokyo-based mini-theater. Collaborating with Seira Kanda, a descendant of the Masuda Chuo theater’s founder, and supported by crowdfunding, Wada restored the theater’s legacy, contributing to the preservation of local film culture.
Reflecting on his experience, Wada emphasizes the importance of films as a cultural asset and remains committed to nurturing Masuda’s cinematic heritage.
