If the inclusion of Festival/Tokyo in Tokyo Festival's diverse program of performing arts is any indication, theater events in Tokyo have been evolving over the past decade or so.

Festival/Tokyo was set up by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in 2009 to showcase the city's cutting-edge fringe theater scene to support Cool Japan and the capital's ambitious bid for the 2016 Olympics.

Although that bid ultimately failed, Tokyo was awarded the 2020 Games, and the municipal government subsequently renewed its efforts to bolster the performing arts by launching Tokyo Festival in 2016.