Photo/Illutration The Namimonogatari2021 outdoor music festival held in Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture, on Aug. 29 (Provided by a reader of The Asahi Shimbun)

The economy ministry is signaling it may retract its decision to subsidize an outdoor music festival under fire for failing to take proper anti-virus measures.

Economy minister Hiroshi Kajiyama said on Aug. 31 that his ministry had decided to pay a subsidy of up to 30 million yen ($272,300) to the organizer of the Namimonogatari2021 festival.

The festival was held in Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture, on Aug. 29 after it was canceled last year.

The subsidy is offered under the ministry’s program to cover half the expenses of music and theatrical performances staged after being canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kajiyama said the ministry may not provide the 30 million yen subsidy if it confirms that the organizer failed to take sufficient measures to prevent infections during the festival.

As a condition for obtaining funding under the program, the ministry requires that organizers submit a written pledge stating they will follow the central and local governments’ guidelines on anti-virus measures.

Aichi Prefecture, which has been under a COVID-19 state of emergency from Aug. 27, had asked the organizer of the Namimonogatari2021 festival to ensure that participants practice social distancing and it does not offer alcoholic drinks.

But videos posted on social media show alcohol was served at the venue and that the audience sang along without maintaining social distancing.

The prefecture sent a letter of protest to the organizer on Aug. 30.

The ministry meanwhile decided to provide a total of 150 million yen to the Fuji Rock Festival held in Naeba, Niigata Prefecture, between Aug. 20 and 22 under the subsidy program.

Kajiyama said he understands that the organizer of the annual rock festival obtained approval from local governments and took proper anti-virus measures at the venue.

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