The Cancellation of a Major Music Festival in Ibaraki, Japan Due to Medical Association’s Request
In the summer of 2021, the large-scale music festival “ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL 2021” (commonly known as “Rockin’”) scheduled to be held at Hitachi Seaside Park in Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Prefecture, was canceled about a month before its planned date.
The cancellation came after a formal request from the Ibaraki Medical Association and other local medical organizations.
Background and Details of the Cancellation Request
- The Ibaraki Medical Association submitted a written request to the festival organizers, urging them to consider canceling or postponing the event depending on the future COVID-19 infection situation. They also demanded stricter entry limits and more thorough infection prevention measures if the event were to proceed.
- The medical association became aware of the festival in mid-June 2021. After concerns were raised by the Hitachinaka City Medical Association about the strain on local healthcare services, all 26 medical associations in the prefecture discussed the matter and decided to issue the request.
- The organizers had planned extensive infection control measures, such as reducing the number of stages from seven to one, limiting attendance to less than half of usual capacity, expanding parking, and encouraging direct travel to and from the venue. However, taking the medical association’s request seriously, they ultimately decided to cancel the festival.
Social Reactions and Debate
- After the cancellation, artists and fans voiced frustration and confusion, questioning the timing and necessity of the decision given the extensive safety measures in place.
- Many pointed out the perceived inconsistency, as the Tokyo Olympics were held around the same time, leading to criticism of what some saw as a double standard.
- The medical association responded that the Olympics were not within their jurisdiction to request cancellation.
Subsequent Impact
- From 2022, the Rock in Japan Festival moved its venue to Chiba Prefecture. Some speculated that the response from Ibaraki’s medical association and local authorities contributed to this decision.
- Around the same time, a COVID-19 cluster occurred at a dinner attended by Ibaraki medical professionals, prompting criticism over the perceived inconsistency in handling public health risks.
Summary
The Ibaraki Medical Association’s request to cancel the festival was based on concerns about COVID-19 spread and the potential burden on healthcare services.
However, the timing and perceived inconsistency in decision-making sparked significant public debate, highlighting broader questions about event management and the role of medical and governmental authorities during the pandemic.
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