Culture

A collection of 104 items from the country's 47 prefectures has gone on show ahead of the games.

The triple disaster of 2011 still looms large in the collective memory of those who were in Japan at the time. How society remembers it, though, has been influenced by films, music and art.

Cartoonist Kamentotsu says the industry has changed from "farming" artists to "hunting" for them.

The game has seen a surge in interest during the pandemic, with children and adults alike dusting off their boards or joining online communities.

The cafe had hoped to capitalize on strong demand during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, but with the outlook still uncertain a decision was made to let the lease expire and shut down.

Having canceled 2020's Asakusa Samba Carnival due to the COVID-19 pandemic, organizers have now scrapped the 2021 iteration, more than six months before it was due to be held.

While some live events have resumed, the arrival of artists and participants from overseas still may be a ways off.

Japan began 2020 with Olympic glory in its sights, with artists and musicians ready to take the spotlight. Then, the pandemic hit and pushed things in a much-needed direction.

Areas of Akita Prefecture are split over whether to continue with tradition, or hold off for a year to keep the virus at bay.