Fukushima town "isn't really in the mood for the Olympics" as first match approaches

Record ID: 1627699

  • Title: Fukushima town "isn't really in the mood for the Olympics" as first match approaches
  • Date: 20th July 2021
  • Summary: TSUCHIYU ONSEN MACHI, FUKUSHIMA, JAPAN (JULY 20, 2021) (REUTERS) TSUCHIYU ONSEN (HOT SPRINGS) TOWN AND SURROUNDING MOUNTAINS TOKYO 2020 BANNERS ALONGSIDE RIVER GIANT KOKESHI (JAPANESE DOLLS WITH NO LIMBS) STATUE PEOPLE DIPPING FEET INTO HOT SPRING POOL IN FRONT OF GIANT KOKESHI DOLL STATUE PEOPLE DIPPING FEET INTO HOT SPRING POOL KOKESHI DOLL MAKER KUNITOSHI ABE, WALKING INTO SHOP ABE'S HANDS SANDING BODY OF KOKESHI DOLL ON MACHINE ABE SANDING BODY OF DOLL ON MACHINE ABE WORKING ABE PUTTING HEAD ONTO DOLL'S BODY ABE PREPARING TO PAINT DOLL VARIOUS OF ABE DABBING DOLL WITH PAIN (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) KOKESHI DOLL MAKER, KUNITOSHI ABE, SAYING: "From the point of view of Tsuchiyu, since it is a tourist destination and a spot for hot springs, having people come and stay in the hotels, and having those people visit to buy souvenirs (are important), but those people are not around at this tourist destination at all, so business is very difficult." VARIOUS OF ABE FINISHING MAKING KOKESHI DOLLS (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) KOKESHI MAKER KUNITOSHI ABE, SAYING: "They call it a 'recovery Olympics,' but in the midst of this situation, I don't really feel it's any sort of 'recovery Olympics'. Well, I feel the Olympics itself isn't really in the mood for the Olympics." DOLLS ON SHELF (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) KOKESHI DOLL MAKER, KUNITOSHI ABE, SAYING: "I want people to come visit, but I don't want the coronavirus to come as well. I was also doubtful about the safety of having (sporting events) with audiences. I am in a position where I don't know, so I cannot honestly answer which one is better." ABE'S DOG LYING ON FLOOR KOKESHI DOLLS ON SHELF (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) KOKESHI DOLL MAKER, KUNITOSHI ABE, SAYING: "I have to make Kokeshi dolls, I want to convey what I have inherited and connect (with people), and I am seeking a solution to this. How to pass on what I have inherited, and how to not lose this (skill) from this point on is my current task that I am trying to figure out." HEAD OF TSUCHIYU ONSEN MACHI'S HOT SPRINGS TOURISM ASSOCIATION KAZUYA IKEDA, WALKING UP HILL VARIOUS OF IKEDA TAKING OFF SHOES AND DIPPING FEET IN HOT SPRING POOL IKEDA LOOKING ON WATERFALL (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) HEAD OF TSUCHIYU ONSEN MACHI'S HOT SPRINGS TOURISM ASSOCIATION, KAZUYA IKEDA, SAYING: "So I reconsidered the meaning of the 'recovery Olympics'. The coronavirus has spread throughout the world, and it is difficult for human efforts to overcome this all at once. This cannot be helped. So I think it's only a matter of time before this will be solved one step and a time, and in that sense, this 'recovery Olympics' can still be fixed by human hands. In that sense, I would like for the idea of 'recovery Olympics' to change in that way." FUKUSHIMA CITY, FUKUSHIMA PREFECTURE, JAPAN (JULY 20, 2021) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF RED MOON OVER FUKUSHIMA SKYLINE
  • Embargoed: 3rd August 2021 10:56
  • Keywords: Fukushima Japan Olympics Tokyo 2020 hot springs kokeshi onsen tourism
  • Location: TSUCHIYU ONSEN MACHI, FUKUSHIMA CITY, FUKUSHIMA PREFECTURE, JAPAN
  • City: TSUCHIYU ONSEN MACHI, FUKUSHIMA CITY, FUKUSHIMA PREFECTURE, JAPAN
  • Country: Japan
  • Topics: Asia / Pacific,Olympics,Sport,Editors' Choice
  • Reuters ID: LVA001EMN9SNB
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: When it was announced that Tokyo would host the 2020 Olympics, Kunitoshi Abe was thrilled about what it could bring for his town located in the neighbouring Fukushima prefecture.
    Although most of the events would be in Tokyo, Fukushima was chosen as the host for the Games' first matches.
    Abe, a native of Tsuchiyu Onsen Machi -- a small town known for its hot spring resorts -- had hoped his town, which was hit badly during the 2011 earthquake, would benefit from the Games. It is located only a ten minute drive away from Fukushima Azuma baseball stadium, which will host the Games' very first softball game from Wednesday (July 21). The stadium will also host the Games' baseball matches, which is one of Japan's most popular national sports.
    Japanese authorities had once touted the Games as an opportunity for national revival, especially for Fukushima, dubbing it a "recovery Olympics," but rising COVID-19 cases across Tokyo has forced authorities to hold the Games without any domestic visitors.
    "They say 'recovery Olympics,' but in the midst of this situation, I don't really feel it's any sort of 'recovery Olympics'. Well, I feel the Olympics itself isn't really in the mood for the Olympics," said Abe.
    Abe also thought the Games might bring enough visitors to spark interest in his profession-making kokeshi, a traditional wooden doll toy.
    Abe is a sixth-generation kokeshi maker, and the coronavirus outbreak has already been terrible for his business.
    "I want people to come visit, but I don't want the coronavirus to come as well," he added.
    Tsuchiyu Onsen Machi itself is home to some of the art's last remaining masters, and giant statues of the dolls can be seen across town streets.
    The town's main industry, hot spring resorts, has also been hit by the pandemic, and according to the head go the local hot springs tourism association, Kazuya Ikeda, business is currently at 50% in comparison to normal times.
    Ikeda said that he didn't expect a huge flow of visitors, but he hopes some foreign media, athletes and officials might bring business to the town. He believes the original meaning of "recovery Olympics" is no longer applicable to Fukushima.
    "I reconsidered the meaning of the 'recovery Olympics'. The coronavirus has spread throughout the world, and it is difficult for human efforts to overcome this all at once. This cannot be helped. So I think it's a matter before this will be solved one step and a time, and in that sense, this 'recovery Olympics' can still be fixed by human hands. In that sense, I would like for the idea of 'recovery Olympics' to change in that way," said Ikeda.
    This year, Japan marked 10 years since the 2011 earthquake and tsunami hit northeastern Japan. The disaster left more than 20,000 people dead or missing and triggered nuclear meltdowns.
    (Production: Joseph Campbell, Andrew Bibee)
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