A method for manufacturing a dielectric elastomer transducer including a dielectric elastomer layer and a pair of electrode layers sandwiching the dielectric elastomer layer, wherein the dielectric elastomer layer when stretched exhibits a stress-strain curve having: a low strain and high elasticity region in which the curve includes a zero-strain point and has a relatively large slope; a low elasticity region connected to a higher strain side of the low strain and high elasticity region and in which the curve has a relatively small slope; and a high strain region connected to a higher strain side of the low elasticity region and in which the curve has a relatively large slope or includes a rupture point, the method comprising: a pre-stretching process to reduce hysteresis in elastic behavior of the dielectric elastomer layer, wherein the pre-stretching process includes stretching the dielectric elastomer layer one or more times by applying a load that is at least as heavy as a first load to the dielectric elastomer layer before the pair of electrodes are provided, each stretching causing the dielectric elastomer layer to undergo a first tension falling in the low elasticity region; and a dielectric elastomer layer fixing process following the pre-stretching process, characterised in that the fixing process includes applying a second load smaller than the first load to the dielectric elastomer layer, so that the dielectric elastomer layer is fixed to a support member while undergoing a second tension smaller than the first tension. wherein the dielectric elastomer layer when stretched exhibits a stress-strain curve having: a low strain and high elasticity region in which the curve includes a zero-strain point and has a relatively large slope; a low elasticity region connected to a higher strain side of the low strain and high elasticity region and in which the curve has a relatively small slope; and a high strain region connected to a higher strain side of the low elasticity region and in which the curve has a relatively large slope or includes a rupture point, the method comprising: a pre-stretching process to reduce hysteresis in elastic behavior of the dielectric elastomer layer, wherein the pre-stretching process includes stretching the dielectric elastomer layer one or more times by applying a load that is at least as heavy as a first load to the dielectric elastomer layer before the pair of electrodes are provided, each stretching causing the dielectric elastomer layer to undergo a first tension falling in the low elasticity region; and a dielectric elastomer layer fixing process following the pre-stretching process, characterised in that the fixing process includes applying a second load smaller than the first load to the dielectric elastomer layer, so that the dielectric elastomer layer is fixed to a support member while undergoing a second tension smaller than the first tension. a pre-stretching process to reduce hysteresis in elastic behavior of the dielectric elastomer layer, wherein the pre-stretching process includes stretching the dielectric elastomer layer one or more times by applying a load that is at least as heavy as a first load to the dielectric elastomer layer before the pair of electrodes are provided, each stretching causing the dielectric elastomer layer to undergo a first tension falling in the low elasticity region; and a dielectric elastomer layer fixing process following the pre-stretching process, characterised in that the fixing process includes applying a second load smaller than the first load to the dielectric elastomer layer, so that the dielectric elastomer layer is fixed to a support member while undergoing a second tension smaller than the first tension.