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Reviving Japan’s Fireworks Culture at Osaka Expo

Amidst the backdrop of recent cancellations of nationwide fireworks festivals, Kirin Beer is set to reignite this tradition with a special event at the Osaka-Kansai Expo titled "Harekaze ACTION: Future-Connecting Hope Fireworks" on August 23, 2025. This initiative aims to gather unused fireworks from various locations, originally meant for canceled events, showcasing Japan's unique fireworks culture to the world. The collaboration with Japan Fireworks Expo seeks to preserve traditional techniques and ensure the continuity of this cherished art form, aimed to evoke emotions and joy through fireworks.

Background and Purpose

Despite being a significant aspect of Japan's cultural heritage, many fireworks festivals are struggling due to rising operational costs, increased security measures, and financial difficulties faced by local governments. This alarming trend has resulted in numerous cancellations and the diminishing of once-celebrated events. Understanding how profound these implications are, Kirin Beer has launched this initiative to support the revival of these traditions.

The event is not just a celebration but also a call to awareness regarding the challenges faced by fireworks festivals throughout the nation. Through rigorous research compiled in the "National Fireworks Festival White Paper 2025", Kirin Beer uncovered that the economic impact of fireworks festivals is estimated at a staggering 23.68 billion yen. Yet, 90.2% of local governments reported running into operational challenges, primarily financial shortages, while public awareness concerning the crisis was surprisingly low, with only 20% recognizing the dire circumstances. This indicates an urgent need to address and educate the public on the necessity of support for fireworks festivals.

Key Information on the Event

The "Harekaze ACTION: Future-Connecting Hope Fireworks" event will take place at the Yumesaki-nan side revetment during the Osaka-Kansai Expo, which champions the theme "Designing a Future Society Where Lives Shine". The event aims to gather fireworks from seven municipalities across the country that had to cancel their events, including notable ones like the Inagawa Fireworks Festival and the Fukushima Futaba Fireworks Festival, ensuring a captivating display to celebrate and reconnect communities. Furthermore, local festival organizers and residents will be invited to participate, linking them back to their historical traditions and emphasizing collaborative efforts for future continuity.

Kirin Beer’s "Harekaze" has continually contributed to the preservation activities of fireworks festivals since its launch in 2024, pledging a part of the revenue generated from sales for these efforts. Their mission encapsulates giving back to the community that has long held cultural significance through the joy of drinking beer, showcasing their commitment to preserving the rich tapestry of summer traditions like fireworks displays.

National Fireworks Festival White Paper 2025: Key Insights

Among the findings of the "National Fireworks Festival White Paper 2025", it was revealed that operational challenges plague 90% of festival organizers. The top concerns include financial constraints, with 83.4% citing this issue, and a severe shortage of personnel, alarming 63.9%. Other contributing factors to the disruptions include governmental pandemic mandates and climate inconsistencies, with 24.1% of festivals having canceled or reduced in scale recently. Moreover, the costs associated with organizing fireworks events have surged by an average of 34% over the past decade, spurred mainly by inflation and increasing labor costs.

While community support seems abundant, with 79.4% of festival organizers seeking financial assistance from residents, only 22.8% of the populace is aware of the ongoing operational difficulties. However, a significant majority, 73.2%, expressed a desire for festivals to continue, emphasizing their importance as a cultural staple during summer. Their voices reflect a strong desire for preservation and further outreach initiatives to mitigate the challenges faced by local festivals.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

The upcoming "Harekaze ACTION: Future-Connecting Hope Fireworks" promises to be a landmark event that not only rejuvenates the fireworks tradition but also amplifies awareness of the ongoing support required to preserve this cultural heritage. By collaborating with local municipalities and engaging the community in meaningful ways, Kirin Beer is igniting hope for the vibrant future of Japan's fireworks festivals. As expressed by numerous attendees and festival organizers, it is crucial to revive this dazzling art form, ensuring it thrives for generations to come, reflecting both the beauty and resilience of Japanese culture.

The event promises to celebrate not just fireworks, but the unyielding spirit of community—an embodiment of life’s joys that will continue to light the night skies. Join us in supporting this initiative and make your voices heard, ensuring that fireworks will continue to be a vital part of Japan's summer landscape.