Numerous cultural events were postponed or canceled Wednesday following the government's request that organizers voluntarily refrain from holding large-scale events so as to help prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.
The continuing repercussions of the epidemic are beginning to cast a dark shadow over people's lives, affecting even the sphere of entertainment.
"We need to be clear about our stance of preventing the spread of infection." So said an official of Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward government, which decided Wednesday to cancel the cherry blossom festival usually held from late March to early April mainly at Chidorigafuchi, one of the most popular cherry blossom viewing spots in Tokyo.
About 1.3 million people visited the festival last year, which features lines of illuminated cherry trees, rental boats and free sightseeing buses.
NHK will cancel live broadcasts of its "Nodojiman" song contest among local residents scheduled for March 1 in Takahashi, Okayama Prefecture; March 8 in Yonezawa, Yamagata Prefecture; and March 15 in Isahaya, Nagasaki Prefecture. It will decide whether to broadcast on later dates depending on developments in the situation.
Concerts have also been canceled one after another. Female vocal unit Perfume abruptly called off its scheduled performance at Tokyo Dome on Wednesday, and popular group Exile canceled its live concert at Kyocera Dome Osaka on the evening of the same day.
Shiki Theatre Co. announced the suspension of all performances scheduled from Thursday to March 8.
Meanwhile, the Japan Arts Council has decided to cancel performances at the National Theatre and the National Engei Hall from Friday to March 15. The National Institutes for Cultural Heritage has likewise decided to provisionally close four national museums in Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara and Kyushu and other facilities from Thursday to March 15.
Johnny & Associates has announced that performances from Thursday to March 9 will be postponed or canceled.
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