Hopeful Fireworks Documentary Revives Summer Tradition for 2025 Expo

Reviving a Summer Tradition: The Hopeful Fireworks

In an extraordinary event marking a return to cherished Japanese traditions, Kirin Beer has partnered with the "Harukaze ACTION" initiative to revive the nation’s beloved fireworks displays at the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo. This spectacular event, aptly named "Harukaze ACTION Special Co-hosted Hopeful Fireworks Connecting to the Future," is set to light up the sky on August 23, 2025, offering a glimmer of hope amidst a summer where many fireworks festivals faced cancellations due to various problems.

A Summer of Cancellations

This year alone, an estimated 69 fireworks festivals across Japan were canceled, with weather-related cancellations pushing that number even higher. In response to this alarming trend, the initiative aims to bring awareness to the significant impact these cancellations have on local communities and their summer traditions. Kirin Beer released a special documentary film to further broadcast the initiative's message. Set to debut on September 19, 2025, this documentary will highlight the struggles of the Soma Fireworks Execution Committee from Fukushima Prefecture and the heartfelt stories of local residents and fireworks artists.

The intent behind the initiative and the documentary is clear: educating the public about the pressures facing this traditional summer event and emphasizing the importance of supporting its future.

Addressing the Challenges

The background for the revival is rooted in the recurrent theme of loss and hope. It reflects Kirin Beer’s commitment to supporting fireworks festivals throughout Japan since 2024. As part of the "Harukaze ACTION" initiative, Kirin Beer has donated a portion of its proceeds to ensure the continuity of fireworks displays across various municipalities.

The partnership culminated in a special fireworks showcase during the Japan Fireworks Expo at the Osaka-Kansai Expo, showcasing fireworks that had been planned for seven regions across Japan. Each piece symbolizes more than just entertainment; they represent a collective memory and a lifeline for the communities from where they originate.

A Documentary Focused on Community Voices

The upcoming documentary offers a closer look at the participants of the revival event. It features interviews with individuals deeply involved in the fireworks tradition. Yuusuke Yamaoka, the newly appointed chair of the Soma Fireworks committee, articulated the challenges he faced in organizing the event under strict budget constraints, stating, "I don't want this to end; it's devastating to think about our community losing this tradition."

In touching moments, local couples shared their sentiments about summer memories tied to fireworks, emphasizing the cultural value and emotional connection these events hold.

"Summer memories are defined by fireworks. After the disaster, events like these brought everyone together, fostering collective resilience," remarked one resident, resonating with the shared struggle of maintaining cultural identity through firework displays.

As a response to the uncertainty of the fireworks’ future, Kirin Beer reached out to Yamaoka and the Soma committee, suggesting the opportunity to present their message at the Expo. The agreement brought renewed energy and optimism, ultimately allowing for the spectacular return of fireworks to the Osaka sky.

On the day of the event, the sky was filled with bursts of color from Soma and six other municipalities, bringing joy to attendees. The uplifting atmosphere left Yamaoka reflecting on increased desire among locals to witness fireworks—a powerful testament to the enduring spirit of community traditions.

Insights from the Nationwide Fireworks White Paper 2025

Alongside the documentary, Kirin Beer has released the "Nationwide Fireworks White Paper 2025," which provides an in-depth analysis of the state of fireworks festivals across the nation. Recent surveys highlighted several challenges: 90% of festival operators report difficulties, citing funding and staff shortages as significant obstacles. The average operational cost of fireworks festivals has surged by 34% over the past decade.

Worryingly, 79.4% of festival operators expressed a need for support from citizens, indicating a crucial gap in funding and volunteer assistance for these beloved events. Despite public awareness regarding the dwindling number of fireworks festivals—55.9% of respondents acknowledged this trend—only 22.8% understood the underlying causes, such as budget constraints and insufficient personnel.

An overwhelming 73.2% of surveyed individuals wish to keep fireworks festivals alive, valuing them as an essential summer tradition. 54.0% of participants expressed their support for the continuation of these events purely for their cultural significance.

As the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo approaches, the urgency to preserve Japan’s fireworks culture grows ever stronger. Through the combination of community-driven initiatives like "Harukaze ACTION" and the poignant storytelling showcased in the accompanying documentary, there is hope that the brilliant lights of fireworks will continue to illuminate Japan’s summers for generations to come.