Three deaths from crushing accidents involving festival floats have prompted safety concerns across Japan's traditional festival culture.
Akihiro Nabae, 62, the deputy mayor of Saijo in western Japan, died on Saturday after becoming trapped beneath a giant float during a festival, according to Agence France-Presse. Nabae was carrying the structure with other participants when the incident occurred. He was taken to hospital and pronounced dead. No other injuries were reported.
Nabae's death follows two similar fatal incidents elsewhere in Japan within days. Both men died after being crushed by festival floats, according to the source material.
The clustering of three deaths in a short timeframe has raised questions about safety protocols at Japan's traditional festivals, which typically involve large floats carried by participants through communities. Local media coverage has highlighted the accidents as part of a broader pattern of concern.
The source material does not specify what safety measures currently exist, whether investigations into the accidents have begun, or what changes festival organisers or local authorities may be considering in response.