Naoki MURATA is the Executive Director of the New National Theatre Foundation in charge of the Production Department and General Affairs of the Theatre since 2016. As the one and only national opera house in Japan that produce 10 opera, 10 ballet & dance and 8 drama productions in-house and currently celebrating its 20^th Anniversary, he is strongly committed to taking it to another level and making the theatre recognized by the international community.

He had a long career as a civil servant in the field of Culture and Education, including his service as the Director of the International Affairs Division at the Agency for Cultural Affairs and the Deputy Director-General of Higher Education Bureau at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. He then became Director-General of Public Diplomacy Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before taking up his current position. He has a doctorate degree in Higher Education Studies and is also a visiting professor at J.F. Oberlin University.