Cherry blossom festivals cancelled as Japan leaves lockdown - The Guardian

Japan will emerge from 10 weeks of coronavirus restrictions on Sunday, just in time for the peak of the annual cherry blossom viewing season.
But the lifting of the state of emergency, announced earlier this month by the prime minister, Yoshihide Suga, will not be celebrated beneath the sakura.
In Tokyo parks that would normally be filled with picnicking families, signs warn that flower-viewing parties are forbidden.
Popular spots have been roped off and festivals cancelled or scaled down.
“Unless he lifts the state of emergency now, it will raise questions about whether Japan can really host the Olympics this summer,” Iwai said.

Published On: Sun, 21 Mar 2021 10:05:00 GMT