Fireworks event in Shiga abruptly canceled
According to local fire authorities, the event organizers did not file the appropriate paperwork to use explosives in time.
Otsu, Shiga Prefecture – Organizers of a large fireworks festival scheduled for August 22 in three Shiga cities have canceled the event. Local fire authorities stated that fireworks organizers must apply for permits about a month in advance, but the committee missed the deadline and failed to consult with authorities. The plan was to launch over 10,000 fireworks in Nagahama, Hikone, and Takashima, along Japan's largest lake, Lake Biwa.
The cities and prefecture claimed the committee visited them with the plan between December last year and April this year, but did not provide specifics on venues. The festival was advertised with reserved seating and ticket prices ranging from ¥7,000 to ¥19,000, with recipients to receive email updates about locations a week before the event.
On Sunday, the committee announced on its website that preparations were "difficult to make" by the event date. They are consulting legal experts and urging ticket holders to check their website and social media for updates. The city governments of Nagahama, Hikone, and Takashima released a statement clarifying they were not involved, while the committee declined to provide contact information for committee members.
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