Hiroshi Watanabe

Photo: Nanako Tomioka

Hiroshi Watanabe

Born in Tochigi prefecture in 1953, Watanabe did a range of jobs including editing entertainment listings magazine City Road until 1984 when he became involved in preparations for the opening of the Ginza Saison Theatre, where he engaged in production from 1987 to 1988. In 1989 he was involved in the opening of the Bunkamura cultural complex, where he managed Theatre Cocoon and was involved in both its operations and play production until 2003. In April 2003, he took part in preparations for opening the Matsumoto Performing Arts Center in Nagano prefecture and worked as producer and general manager until 2006. In October 2006, he was appointed Executive Director and Head of Business Operations at the Saitama Arts Theater, where he continues to be a general advisor. In October 2022, he became producer of the Okayama Performing Arts Theatre Harenowa, where he took on the additional post of Director in April 2024. (Updated January 2025)