Until when is the usual summer? | NHK News

Until when is the usual summer? August 30, 18:31

August is almost over. What kind of summer did you spend? You may have been lucky that you went to see fireworks with your family and friends as usual in your hometown. The fireworks festivals that are held nationwide are now being canceled one after another.
(Sendai broadcaster reporter Ishii Ryoshu, Nagasaki broadcaster reporter Yoshishi Tamada, network reporter reporter Aya Noda, Yoshiyuki Gun)

Fireworks that color the night sky ... but

August 3rd. The Sasebo Seaside Festival in Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture, where about 5,000 fireworks colored the night sky.

This was the 15th time, but I was worried about the members of the executive committee. This is because the operating expenses that were gathering about 12 million yen from more than 420 companies have recently decreased to about 9 million yen.

Isn't there a day when the big summer event will disappear?

There are many cases where such anxiety has become a reality.

When NHK asked organizations that host fireworks displays around the country, it was found that at least 18 cases were canceled this summer due to reasons other than weather and disasters.

○○ is missing ...

“It ’s really a feeling of incision.”

Shinya Nakajima, who serves as the chairman of commerce and industry in Kami-cho, Miyagi Prefecture, is located on the border with Yamagata Prefecture.

This is because we decided to cancel the fireworks display that had continued for 32 years locally.
Launched 2500 every year, last year it was a festival that represents the summer even in the local area where 30,000 people visit.

Why are n’t there fewer visitors?
When I asked such a question, Mr. Nakajima returned an unexpected answer.

"It's a security issue."

One of the causes is the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. As construction rushes and related events continue, concerns about terrorism and incidents are increasing, and the demand for security guards is increasing. That has led to a shortage of security personnel and is starting to affect the small town fireworks display.

“When I talked to a security company, I was told that I would not be able to dispatch security guards unless I had to pay three times as much as before. Private volunteers are also being recruited, but it is not easy to gather. "

In one area, due to the cancellation of the fireworks display, the audience concentrated on the fireworks display in the neighboring town. There was also a situation in which the security posture could not be maintained and it was forced to cancel.

“Limited by region alone”

“As in the past, the current situation is that each region is struggling to maintain the festival. The lack of funds and manpower are the direct factors. I think this is also related to the decrease in the number of employees. ''

This is pointed out by Dr. Mayuko Kono, Senior Researcher at JTB Research Institute, who is familiar with the current state of the region.

While the population concentration in urban areas, the maintenance of local communities, and the number of people who have been responsible for disaster prevention and crime prevention are decreasing, there are also social factors that have ceased and the need for people to participate in festivals Say it is in the background.

He also points out that local economic changes such as the decline of local businesses and shopping streets may be one of the factors.

Fireworks that looked different

A fireworks display in Sasebo City where 5,000 fireworks were launched.

A new attempt was made while raising money. That is crowdfunding.

We decided to collect donations from the audience for 1,000 yen per person, and offered benefits such as the original wristbands and bleachers according to the amount.

More than a month and a half since the call. The amount of donation actually collected was 160,000 yen, which was only about 5% of the target amount, but the people who cooperated with the donation seemed to be watching the fireworks in a different way.

A woman who watched the fireworks from the spectator seats prepared as a gift for the donation, “The fireworks that have been held for granted and have come to the public, but I was able to see them with great appreciation.”

“I feel that there is a limit to relying solely on the company's operating expenses,” said Mr. Masahiro Ide, the chairman of the executive committee and the youth department of the Sasebo Chamber of Commerce. From next year, I want to use SNS to raise awareness and call for donations. I want to make it a festival that citizens can participate in. "

It seemed to feel the possibility of a new management attempt.

The key is "I feel so messy !?"

What is necessary for the local summer tradition and fireworks display to last forever?
I asked Dr. Mayuko Kono, Principal Researcher, JTB Research Institute again.

“If you can make it seem like you do n’t want to lose something, it wo n’t go away. It ’s important to keep it because it ’s important for a long time, such as festivals and fireworks festivals. Rather than come back to see that it was beautiful, the people who participated in the operation and paid for the money, and the benefits and fun returned to that amount. I think it would be better if people living far away who would like to continue to do so would change the scale and mechanism by making a donation and make the party more entertaining. ''

Finally, Mr. Kono spoke like this.

“Returning to everyday life after the end of summer, one year later, again, Catharsis Day, everyone comes to look forward to the fireworks display. It is important to link well to that cycle. The viewer and the supporter are together. It ’s the essence of the original festival, and the key to survival is to return to the old-fashioned “frustration” of participating and watching. ”