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 the weekend, days after two men died in similar incidents 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.