Simultaneous fireworks displays colored the night skies in Tokyo and other parts of Japan on Monday, with the hope that the sight would cheer up the nation amid the coronavirus pandemic.
With many of the country's summer fireworks festivals having been canceled or postponed, pyrotechnicians nationwide joined hands to launch the "Cheer Up! Hanabi Project" for a short, surprise fireworks display.
To avoid drawing crowds, the organizers set a five-minute limit for the fireworks. They initially intended to keep the date, time and locations under wraps but later went public with the date and time amid concerns some people might find the sudden fireworks displays disconcerting.