Animal trainers in Japan have come under fire for forcing macaques into degrading performances which experts say would cause them great anxiety. 

Despite being idolised in traditional Japanese performances, the animals are exploited by owners who train them to play football matches among many other demanding tricks in front of excited spectators. 

A theatre in Nikko Saru Gundan, Nikko City features an array of shocking scenarios involving the monkeys. 

Macaques are forced to wear bizarre outfits such as diapers and leisure suits – a feature by National Geographic documented the ampitheatre’s treatment of the monkeys. 

Visitors can play air hockey with the monkeys, while other animals hand out fortunes while others are forced to perform physically demanding tricks and balance on tall, unstable polls to wow onlookers.

Tradition

Macaque shows stem from traditional Japanese culture, as ancient communities believed that they are able to fight off evil spirits and make way for good fortune. Monkey performances have been a part of Japanese culture for more than a thousand years. 

But the modern shows pay little back to the animals for their historic significance to Japanese culture.

Keiko Yamazaki, executive director of the Animal Literacy Research Institute, told National Geographic that many monkeys are harshly treated and physically abused by their owners. 

‘Circus’

“It’s like the circus. When you go back in history, you see animals have been trained using extremely abusive methods, and the monkey business is no exception. But culture evolves—it’s not set in stone,” Yamazaki said.

Public opinion across the world leads to tough protections for dogs and cats, but Yamazaki wants all animals to be treated as equals. 

“A lot of the welfare groups lobby for the kittens and the puppies—they want no-kill shelters. The cat ladies get a bigger following,” Yamazaki continued. 

“Our goal is to make Japan’s animal welfare law applicable to all animals—farm animals, zoo animals, lab animals.”

• Read: Chained monkeys forced to juggle fire and jump through spiked hoops in ‘humiliating’ shows for tourists in Thailand

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Oli Gross

Oli’s career and personal ethical values both help shape his reporting of the diverse world of veganism. His background is in local newspaper and magazine journalism, and his work has included reporting court cases, celebrity interviews, business analysis, food and drink features and government legislation.

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