In 1886 when the Rokumeikan was in its heyday, the Engeki Kairyo Kai was organized by people from the political, business, and literature arenas such as Kencho SUEMATSU, Eichi SHIBUSAWA, and Masakazu TOYAMA, bowing to a request by the First Ito Cabinet.
鹿鳴館時代の1886年（明治19年）、第1次伊藤内閣の意向もあって、末松謙澄、渋沢栄一、外山正一をはじめ、政治家、経済人、文学者らが演劇改良会を結成。