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Japan's First Drone Fireworks Illuminate Summer Sonic

Aug 20, 2024 (News On Japan) - Japan's first drone-operated fireworks show took to the skies Sunday at the Summer Sonic 2024 music festival, held at Expo Memorial Park in Sugita City.

The highlight of the evening was a breathtaking display featuring the "Phoenix," a symbol inspired by the works of Osamu Tezuka, which soared across the night sky. This massive phoenix appeared to be flying majestically, with its wings composed of drones equipped with fireworks—a first in Japan.

"The moment I saw it in action, I was thrilled. It was as if the Phoenix had truly come to life," commented one of the organizers. "Art has the power to rejuvenate, encourage, and energize people."

This event is part of a project by the Agency for Cultural Affairs aimed at promoting Japanese art globally. The collaboration with a music festival, which draws a young crowd, was designed to introduce art to those who may not typically engage with it. The festival grounds also featured other installations, such as a waterfall-inspired piece that provided a refreshing coolness on a hot day, and artworks that changed colors depending on the viewing angle.

In addition to the main event at Expo Memorial Park, the project extends to 12 locations across Osaka City, with installations displayed in areas such as Umeda and Nakajima. These artworks will be on view until August 25th.

Source: KTV NEWS

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A section of stone wall at Hikone Castle, one of Japan’s few surviving original Edo-period castles and a National Treasure whose main keep remains intact more than 400 years after its construction, collapsed after heavy rain caused by Typhoons No. 7 and No. 8, Hikone city officials said.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said at around 2 p.m. on June 29 that the rainy season appeared to have ended in Okinawa, marking a later-than-usual start to summer after an especially wet period.

Japan’s weather agency carried out field inspections in Yamanashi Prefecture on June 28 after a powerful earthquake struck the Fuji Five Lakes area late on June 26, registering a lower 6 on Japan’s seismic intensity scale in Fujikawaguchiko and injuring six people.

According to updates on June 28, the double-typhoon system that brought record rain, flooding, landslides and fallen trees to parts of Japan has moved away, but Kanto remains under cloudy rainy-season skies, with intermittent rain still possible and saturated ground keeping the risk of landslides high in areas hit by heavy rain.

The Kanto region is experiencing an unusual June, with three typhoons approaching the area during the month and rainfall totals already reaching record levels in some locations.

Damage was reported across the Kansai region after a stationary seasonal rain front and an approaching typhoon brought torrential rain on June 26, triggering landslides in Seika, Kyoto Prefecture, flooding homes in Nara, and disrupting roads and railway services in Osaka and surrounding areas.

A powerful earthquake with a maximum seismic intensity of upper 6 struck off Iwate Prefecture at around 7:30 a.m. on June 25, shaking parts of Aomori Prefecture and leaving Hachinohe, which was hit by a similarly strong quake last December, facing fresh damage.

Rice field art depicting Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and his dog Decoy is nearing its best viewing period in Oshu, Iwate Prefecture, Ohtani’s hometown.