A traditional naked festival in Okayama Prefecture, known for its intense competitions involving physical contact among participants, left three individuals in critical condition, reviving concerns over safety measures at the event.
On the night of January 21, during the traditional 'Naked Festival' known as Nishidaiji Eyou in Okayama City, three participants fell into critical condition, prompting heightened attention to safety and response strategies for the event. This festival, designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset of Japan, has been conducted annually and is characterized by fierce physical competition among men who vie to catch a sacred stick believed to bring good fortune, culminating in a chaotic scene of pushing and shoving.
Despite having seen fatal incidents in the past, in 1987 and 2007, the Nishidaiji Eyou continues to be a deeply rooted tradition in the Okayama community, with an estimated attendance of around 10,000 each year. The fervent engagement of participants and the support from local businesses, which number around 400 sponsors this year, underlines the festival's economic and cultural importance, fueling concerns over participant safety while maintaining its vibrant local reputation.
The event's risks, mainly due to physical confrontations where participants collide, raise questions about the measures taken to protect individuals against injuries during the frenzy. While the local community is keen to uphold the tradition, the recent incidents highlight the ongoing challenge of balancing cultural heritage with the essential need for safety, leading to ongoing discourse about the measures appropriate for a safer festival experience for all involved.
