Three dead prompt questions over safety at Japanese festivals
Deadly accidents involving festival floats occurred during several traditional processions.
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In Japan, a debate has emerged over the safety of traditional festivals after three people died in accidents involving large structures in a short period. The incidents took place in different regions and have raised questions about supervision and safety margins.
The most recent fatality was Akihiro Nabae, the 62-year-old deputy mayor of Saijo in Ehime Prefecture. He became trapped under a structure during a festival on Saturday and later died in hospital, The Guardian reported, citing local media.
Earlier this month, two men died in separate accidents during danjiri festivals in Osaka Prefecture. According to police, 16 people were also injured in the two incidents. The three events are not linked by a single joint investigation.
Danjiri are large, often wooden festival floats that are pulled or pushed by participants. A well-known feature of some festivals is taking sharp bends at speed. According to The Guardian, the structures can weigh up to about four tonnes and are moved by hundreds of people.
Police are investigating the precise circumstances of the accident in Saijo. It is unclear whether Nabae lost his balance or whether the structure fell on him. Separate investigations into the other incidents are under way.
The festivals have religious and social significance in Japan. Some date back to the Edo period and are held in connection with giving thanks for a good harvest. The processions attract participants from local communities and visitors from outside the region.
The recent series of accidents does not prove that festivals as a whole are unsafe. However, the combination of high mass, speed and tight bends makes clear why organisers face a balance between tradition and risk management. It is not yet known what measures will follow.
Information about any nationwide rules or a coordinated safety review did not emerge from the sources consulted. It is therefore too early to speak of a national policy change.
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Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The three deaths, the two earlier incidents and the safety context were described by The Guardian and Japan Times. Unknown causes and the absence of nationwide measures were not presented as facts.
- confirmed Three people died in a short period in accidents involving festival floats. — The Guardian describes the incident in Saijo and the two earlier deaths in Osaka. source
- confirmed Sixteen people were injured in the two earlier incidents. — The Guardian cites police on this point. source
- uncertain A nationwide safety review is not yet known to have taken place. — It was not found in the sources consulted; this does not rule out other reporting. source
Editor's note
The recent series of fatal accidents and the figures cited have been confirmed by freely available reporting. The precise circumstances and any nationwide measures remain uncertain.Sources
More on this in Dutch media
- NRC — „japan saijo”
- NU.nl — „japan saijo”
- De Telegraaf — „japan saijo”