To boost the spirits of locals in a tsunami-hit area of Fukushima Prefecture, a group of volunteers led by a Shinto priest is planning to hold a fireworks event Aug. 27 in the city of Iwaki's Hisanohama beach — just about 30 km from Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s radiation-spewing nuclear plant.
Coastal municipalities in Fukushima are canceling or scaling back annual fireworks shows, focusing on commemorating the dead. However, Hisanohama locals and volunteers hope to put the town on the path to revitalization by scheduling the event, which includes fireworks, live concerts and comic performances, said Masaharu Takagi, the son of Suwa Shrine's chief priest.
"People may think this town is unsafe because it's too close to the (Fukushima No. 1) nuclear plant. But we want to show to the public Hisanohama is not only safe but also an energetic town," Takagi said, adding that his group is now in negotiations with musicians and comedians.