IWAKI, Fukushima -- The Daruma Market, a traditional Fukushima event to celebrate the new year dating back to the Edo period (1603-1867), has become yet another event unable to escape the impact of the novel coronavirus.
Though the annual event was traditionally held in Futaba, Fukushima Prefecture, in recent years, it has been held in Iwaki since the 2011 incident at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant operated by Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc.
Members of the Futaba branch of the JA Fukushima Sakura women's division who have taken refuge in Iwaki had up until recently been putting the finishing touches on Futaba Daruma dolls that were to be sold at the event originally scheduled for next month. However, the Daruma Market was ultimately canceled because of the pandemic.
Emi Ishida, the head of the branch, said that the members were making the dolls with the hope that the virus would be brought under control.
"It's disappointing because we were looking forward to getting to see people around town at the Daruma Market," Ishida said.
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