Three deaths from float crushes raise safety concerns over Japanese festivals
Three people have died in separate incidents involving heavy festival floats in Japan, raising significant safety concerns. The accidents occurred during traditional 'yarimawashi' maneuvers where large, multi-tonne floats are pulled at high speeds.
Why it matters
These tragedies highlight the tension between preserving cultural traditions and ensuring modern public safety standards.
The Saijo festival in Saijo, western Japan. The events are held in thanks to Shinto deities for a plentiful harvest. The Saijo festival in Saijo, western Japan. The events are held in thanks to Shinto deities for a plentiful harvest. Japan Three deaths from float crushes raise safety concerns over Japanese festivals Deputy mayor of Saijo died after becoming trapped under float, days after two similar incidents elsewhere
Prefer the Guardian on Google There is mounting concern over the safety of Japan’s traditional festivals after the death of a senior local official who was reportedly crushed beneath a float at the weekend, days after two men died in similar incidents in another part of the country.
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