A reminder that even "safe" Japan has dangers at large events

I've been to large events not just here in Japan but in other countries, too, and I feel like Japan is extremely safe most of the time. People are respectful, orderly, and events are (for the most part) managed well, but things can still go wrong.

A tragic example of that happened here in Niigata just yesterday, when a teenage high school student died during a traditional lantern-pushing event at the Suibara Festival in Agano City.

The student was one of the people carrying a giant lantern during the festival's Tōrō Raimai event, when groups of participants push large lanterns against each other. He became trapped between a lantern and a nearby pillar and was taken to hospital in a critical condition, where he later died. Another person was seriously injured with a fractured hand.

For me, it's a reminder that the reputation for safety here doesn't mean accidents never happen. Festivals, fireworks displays, parades, concerts, and other large events can involve huge crowds, and sometimes, activities that carry real risks.