Fireworks festivals are one of Japan's most popular summer attractions — but this year, multiple organizers are canceling the much-awaited event due to complaints of debris causing property damage.
So far, 10 festivals have been canceled in the Kanto region, including the Adachi fireworks festival due to a storm on Saturday, and 22 nationwide, according to tourism information website Walkerplus.
One city that will not be celebrating with fireworks this year is Funabashi in Chiba Prefecture. The city, located near the sea, canceled its yearly summer fireworks festival after debris from the event damaged seven boats docked in a nearby port last year, which cost the event organizer ¥12 million ($76,200) in damages.
The festival was planned for Sept. 28 and 29 but the Funabashi Citizens' Festival Organizing Committee decided to cancel this year because they were unable to find a different location on such short notice, said Koichiro Ozaki, a member of the committee.
“Naturally, we must consult with a number of people in order to hold the event in another location. That includes the police. But as it stands, it's simply not possible to hold the event,” Ozaki said.
Most people expressed their understanding, although some remained a little disappointed.
“I’ve received phone calls from people saying that they were looking forward to the fireworks,” he said. “(But) most people understand and say there’s nothing that can be done.”
The Irumagawa Tanabata festival, held in Sayama, Saitama Prefecture, also canceled its fireworks show — one of its many events — due to citizens' complaints about various safety issues.
One of the three biggest Tanabata festivals in the Kanto region, Irumagawa was revived last year after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic and Tokyo Olympics.
Increasing the number of fireworks launched during the show — from 3,000 in 2019 to 5,000 last year — led to greater foot traffic and crowd density, making it difficult to move around the venue.
An official who declined to be named said one of the reasons for canceling the event was fireworks debris.
“When fireworks are launched, they explode in the air, and the cardboard-like casings burst apart. These fragments, about 1 to 2 cm in size, fall to the ground while still hot.
“Depending on wind direction and speed, they can scatter into residential areas. We've received complaints about this in the past,” he said.
In 2023, they started holding the fireworks event after three years, moving the launch site about 700 meters upstream to an area with fewer residential buildings.
“We thought this new location would reduce the risk of debris falling into residential areas. Unfortunately, due to the wind conditions on the day of the event, debris still ended up falling in different residential areas from before,” he said.
Officials received around 30 firework-related complaints, such as noise pollution, littering and spectators trespassing in search of a better view.
The Tanabata festival will still be held for two days from Aug. 3, but without fireworks.
To compensate for the absence of fireworks, the organizing committee has decided to splurge on other events and add new attractions.
For example, considering that the event takes place in August, the hottest month of the year, they are planning to use a snow machine to cover the streets of the venue. Additionally, they will invite Yosakoi dancers for performances while expanding the number of participating groups for Awa Odori dances.
“Whether this will be a suitable replacement for the fireworks is up for debate, but we are currently preparing to ensure that visitors can enjoy the Tanabata Festival within the venue,” he said.
Both Funabashi and Sayama cities have expressed their wish to hold fireworks festivals next year.
“There have been instances where burnt debris has polluted or harmed the environment, so it's essential to find locations where such incidents can be avoided,” Ozaki said.
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