Safety concerns mount over Japan’s traditional festivals after string of fatal accidents

Deputy mayor of Saijo died after becoming trapped under float, days after two similar incidents elsewhere

There is mounting concern over the safety of Japan’s traditional festivals after the death of a senior local official who was reportedly crushed beneath a float at an event at the weekend, days after two men died in similar accidents in another part of the country.

Akihiro Nabae, the deputy mayor of Saijo in western Japan, was carrying a giant float with other participants in a festival on Saturday when he became trapped beneath the structure, Agence France-Presse reported. Nabae, 62, was taken to hospital and later pronounced dead, local media said, adding that no one else was injured.