Kobe landmarks illuminated blue in support of medical workers battling coronavirus

Landmarks across the city of Kobe and in other parts of Japan turned blue Thursday night in a show of support for medical workers treating coronavirus patients, and others working on the front lines of the current pandemic. 

From sunset famous landmarks and attractions across the the city of Kobe in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, were illuminated in blue including the “Be Kobe” monument in the city’s Meriken Park, created in 2017 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of opening the Port of Kobe. 

The Akashi Kaikyo suspension bridge, linking the city with Awaji Island in the Seto Inland Sea, was another of the city’s landmarks to be lit up in a show of support for Japan’s medical professionals currently working with patients of the coronavirus pandemic. 

In the city’s Harborland shopping and entertainment district, the 54-m tall Mosaic Ferris Wheel was also used as part of the light-up event to display a message of thanks, with event organizers recognizing the stigma and cases of discrimination that medical workers and those who have been infected with the Covid-19-causing new coronavirus have increasingly had to endure as the spread of the virus has gathered pace in Japan.  

Cases of such health-related discrimination are unfortunately familiar in Japan, as some people connected to nuclear-related incidents in the country can likely attest. 

Earlier in April, Japan Football Association President Kozo Tashima, who was hospitalized in mid-March after becoming infected with the new coronavirus, highlighted the discriminatory treatment facing the medical workers who cared for him.

"One hears that they (medical workers) and their families are suffering from discrimination and prejudice. That can't be tolerated," Tashima is reported as saying in an online address to reporters, by Kyodo News Plus. 

"There is a movement in Europe now to applaud these health care workers. Japanese always applaud the national team as it competes in World Cup qualifying, but right now these health care workers are our national team.”

Landmark structures in other parts of Japan were also lit-up in blue on Thursday night including Tokyo Skytree and the Tokyo metropolitan government building in the Japanese capital.

Using the hashtag #LightItBlue, the light-up event in support of the medical workers during the outbreak of the coronavirus began in London in late March with landmarks in the British capital like Tower Bridge, the London Eye ferris wheel, and Wembley Stadium illuminated in the color of the country’s National Health Service (NHS). 

The switching on of the blue illuminations in London followed a mass round of applause which saw residents across the U.K. step out onto their doorsteps during the country's lockdown to put their hands together and clap in a show of thanks to staff of the NHS. 

Earlier in April Hyogo Prefecture was named as one of the seven prefectures of Japan to be declared as in a state of emergency by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in the government's efforts to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, a declaration which has since been expanded to cover the entirety of the country. 

Prior to Thursday's light-up Kobe City officials asked residents to continue to exercise social distancing, while news of the scheduled illuminations was met with cynicism by some.

“Cool. I'm gonna go outside with a group of friends and check it out,” came one comment on the official English-language Facebook page of the Kobe City Government following the announcement of the event.

As of 11:00 Friday a total of 158 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the city, according to data published on the Kobe City Government homepage.

The light-up event is scheduled to continue through April, taking place in the city of Kobe on April 23 and 30 from sunset to 23:30.

Locations:

“BE KOBE” Monument in Meriken Park

“BE KOBE” Monument in Port Island Shiosai Park

Meriken Park grounds

Flower Road

Mt. Ikari

Kobe Mosaic Ferris Wheel (includes message*)

Kobe Port Terminal

Kamomeria Ferry Terminal

Akashi Strait Bridge

Kobe City Museum

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