In contrast to Europe, the art of puppet theatre in Japan developed to a high degree, often rivalling conventional theatre. The Bunraku style of puppet theatre has been popular since the 16th century, and consists of puppet operators, instrumentalists and a narrator. In the 20th century, however, interest in it has waned, TV and cinema taking its place as popular entertainment. The Bunraku theatre in the village of Seiwa, with its 4000 inhabitants, on the island of Kyushu, is the only one left in the Kumamoto region, and is an important cultural and historic attraction. The new theatre building (previous performances had taken place in a Shinto shrine), is a main plank in a programme to boost the local economy.