Gust Topples Sign at Kochi Yosakoi Festival, Injures Dancer

A signboard at Kochi’s 72nd Yosakoi Festival collapsed on 10 August, lightly injuring a female dancer in her twenties. Organisers said a sudden gust of wind appears to have dislodged the overhead board during a performance. In response, all signboards on park stages were removed before events resumed on 11 August to avoid further incidents. No additional injuries were reported. Despite the accident, the festival drew about 18,000 dancers, among them uniformed officers from Kochi Prefectural Police marking their first appearance in 51 years. The four-day celebration, famed for its vibrant costumes and naruko clappers, remains one of western Japan’s largest summer events.