戦後に市民が復活させた「博多どんたく港まつり」今年は復活から80年　裏方で支える31歳のスタッフに密着

The Hakata Dontaku Port Festival is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year since its revival after the war. The Fukuoka Citizens' Festival Promotion Association, comprised of the city government, the Chamber of Commerce, and other organizations, is working tirelessly to ensure the festival's safe and successful run. We followed the leaders who are managing the event on-site. Performance Stages at 30 Locations in Fukuoka City The Hakata Dontaku Port Festival, a representative Fukuoka festival, attracts approximately 2 million visitors annually. In addition to a parade down Meiji Street, approximately 200 groups and 18,000 Dontaku performers showcase their talents at 30 performance stages throughout the city. Footage from the 1959 Dontaku Festival This is footage from the 1959 Dontaku Festival. The Hakata Matsubayashi procession, considered the origin of the festival, parades through the streets, and the dazzling "flower trams" are also in operation. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the festival's revival after the war, and preparations have been meticulously carried out. The 31-year-old in charge of the site: "Everyone, including the president and the governor, will change in this room, and when they're finished, they'll all go over there." "The information is confusing." On the 2nd, the eve of the Dontaku festival, The person busily preparing the bento boxes and waiting rooms was Kazuhiro Tokotani (31) of the Fukuoka Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Regional Development Department. Kazuhiro Tokotani, Fukuoka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Regional Development Department "I'm originally from Kitakyushu. Since coming here, I've been involved in festivals, and I've even been allowed to attend the Yamakasa festival." This is his sixth year in charge of Dontaku, and he's been entrusted with leading the team on site, even though many of the staff are experiencing it for the first time. Fukuoka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Regional Development Department, Misa Nakamura "Although I'm older, I feel like he's like an older brother to me." Fukuoka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Regional Development Department, Taisuke Izumi, Director "The Dontaku festival wouldn't be possible without Tokoya. He's the ace." Worried about the weather: "Cancellation is possible" Tokoya receives constant phone calls. Fukuoka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Regional Development Department, Kazuhiro Tokoya "If the rain gets worse midway through, cancellation is a possibility." Tokoya was concerned about the weather on the 3rd. Fukuoka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Regional Development Department, Kazuhiro Tokoya "Marching bands sometimes decline to participate because their instruments could get wet. It seems like it will be windy, so we have to prioritize preventing things from flying away and ensuring that no spectators get hurt." Can the parade be held? A difficult decision to make The day of the festival arrived on the 3rd. Along the route, many spectators with umbrellas were lined up even before the parade began. Kazuhiro Tokotani, Regional Development Department, Fukuoka Chamber of Commerce and Industry: "Three groups had canceled by the day before yesterday, but it seems two or three more came in yesterday, saying it would be difficult due to the rain." With the threat of heavy rain looming, a decision on whether to hold the parade was pressing. Kazuhiro Tokotani, Regional Development Department, Fukuoka Chamber of Commerce and Industry: "It's a difficult decision. It's just this. Everyone is looking forward to it, so we want to do it, but we also have to ensure safety, so it's a difficult decision." And then— The sun began to peek through the clouds. "We'll do our best on-site!" Kazuhiro Tokotani, Regional Development Department, Fukuoka Chamber of Commerce and Industry: "We've received word that the parade is tentatively scheduled to proceed. We'll do our best on-site." Mr. Tokotani was bustling about, managing the festival's progress, handling VIPs, and disseminating information through the website, etc. Fukuoka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Regional Development Department, Kazuhiro Tokoya "This is Tokoya. Remember the talk about preparing something like a blanket for when riding in a rickshaw?" Fukuoka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Regional Development Department, Kazuhiro Tokoya "We look forward to your support for the Dontaku festival for the next two days." He also made detailed checks with the approximately 150 parade staff to ensure the safe progress of the event. Fukuoka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Regional Development Department, Kazuhiro Tokoya "There's no wind at the moment. The sun is...it's getting a little brighter." Reporter: "They're lucky." The parade begins And finally, the parade begins. Although the rain sometimes intensified, the Dontaku teams were sent out according to schedule, with adjustments made to accommodate the times of groups t...