Summer festival virus cancellations deal blow to local Japan areas

The forced cancellation of major festivals and fireworks events next summer in Japan due to the coronavirus pandemic is frustrating for the host towns and cities that rely on the cultural and financial contribution they make to their local areas.The pneumonia-causing virus has forced major events that were to be part of Kyoto's Gion Festival to cancel for the first time in 58 years, while the Nebuta Festival in Aomori was called off for the first time in 62 years. Kochi's Yosakoi Festival was also canceled for the first time in its 66-year history.Ikujiro Kimura, head of the Gion Festival's…READ FULL ARTICLE