The organizers and some artists scheduled to take part in the Rock in Japan Festival, in Ibaraki Prefecture, have expressed frustration over the abrupt canceling of the event even though the prefecture is not under a state of emergency.
The cancellation of the annual music festival, one of the nation's largest and which has been scrapped twice now in just two years, has sparked a backlash by some who noted that the Summer Olympics are to be held despite the state of emergency in place for the Tokyo area.
Also at issue is the canceled event won't be eligible for financial aid from the government. The central government would normally cover up to ¥25 million in costs caused by the shutting down of the event. But because Ibaraki Prefecture is not currently under a state of emergency or quasi-emergency, that is not possible, said Taro Yamada, an Upper House lawmaker and member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.