June 2021 In Tokyo

June is the rainy season in Tokyo. It rains so frequently just before the intense summer heat and just prior to the gentle cool down of autumn that Japan is often said to have six seasons instead of four. In fact, there are more than 400 words that express rain in Japanese -- depending on when and how it rains. Harusame is the rain that falls in spring. Samidare is the rain that falls in May, Tsuyu refers to the “rainy season” in June. Konukaame is the fine mist that fills the air in spring, but the same misty rain changes its name to Kirisame when it falls in autumn. Some might find rain a deterrent, but in fact, the warm sprinkles clear the air and give us a chance to see the subtleties of the city. For example, Tokyo Station reflected in the puddles on the pavement or the hydrangea that changes hues ever so delicately, as the moist droplets kiss its petals.

Where to see hydrangea in Tokyo

While Japan is famous for its cherry blossoms, its other seasonal flowers deserve as much respect. June is the "season of Hydrangea," blooming in blue, white, fuchsia and purple. Hydrangeas are indigenous to Japan but were experimented with and improved upon by Philipp Franz von Siebold, a 19th Century German doctor and naturalist, who even named the Otaksa variety of hydrangea after his Japanese common law wife.

Hakusan Shrine in Bunkyo Ward, where the University of Tokyo is located: About 3000 hydrangeas are planted here! It is also renowned for the annual hydrangea festival, where on weekends during the celebration, there are stalls selling hydrangea potted plants. Unfortunately, the festival was canceled in 2021.

Takahata Fudoson Kongoji Temple in Hino City, western Tokyo: A smaller-than-usual Hydrangea Festival is being held here even in 2021, until June 30. Additionally, during June, hydrangeas can be found along the streets of Tokyo, where they are for sale, on display, or just in bloom and are of course best viewed in the rain.

Since 1969, when the Stonewall riots broke out in the US, LGBT movements have been swelling worldwide. In the US in 2000, President Bill Clinton declared June "Gay and Lesbian Pride Month," and in 2009 President Barack Obama declared June "LGBT Pride Month." In 2019, large-scale pride parades were held across the United States to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Stonewall. At the same time, the activities of Tokyo Rainbow Pride (TRP) were also gaining more attention. In 2021, their annual event during Japan’s Golden Week holiday, April 24-May 5, was online and virtual, but additional festivities have followed. In June, the highlights of the movie "# Pride at Home 2021" and a speaking event (Japanese only) "Thinking about diverse families," are being distributed on the TRP channel. In addition, under the theme of "Equality and Inclusiveness," the "W1SH RIBBON" campaign is underway at TOKYO SKYTREE, the tallest free-standing tower in the world, and the symbol of Tokyo. The campaign aims to connect the people of the world with ribbons, regardless of gender or nationality. They are also promoting and distributing a music video produced by international photographer Leslie Kee.

Tokyo Under ‘Emergency Orders’ With Olympics 3 Months Away

TOKYO (AP) — Only three months before the postponed Olympics are set to open, Tokyo and Japan’s second largest metropolitan area of Osaka have been placed under emergency orders aimed at stemming surging cases of the coronavirus.

The measures, which take place during Japan’s “golden week” holiday period, are meant to limit travel and keep people out of public places. They are to end on May 11, just ahead of a widely reported visit to Hiroshima by International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach.

Bach said this week that the visit, reported for May 17-18, is still in the “planning phase.” But Bach’s presence was immediately criticized by opposition lawmakers who say the Olympics are being prioritized ahead of public safety.

“Japan should decide its own public health policies. There is no reason we should be told by Mr. Bach what to do,” said Yuichiro Tamaki, the head of the Democratic Party for the People.

Bach said the duration of the state of emergency had nothing to do with his planned visit to the city, where he would greet the Olympic torch relay. Hiroshima was destroyed in 1945 by the American detonation of an atomic bomb over the city, and is a favorite backdrop for visiting politicians and dignitaries.

“This (state of emergency) is absolutely in line with the overall policy of the government,” Bach said. “But it is not related to the Olympic Games. It is related to the golden week.”

Japan’s third state of emergency is to include shutdown orders for bars, department stores, malls, theme parks, as well as theaters and museums. Even restaurants that do not serve alcohol are being asked to close early, as well as public transportation. Schools will stay open, but universities are asked to return to online classes.

“I hope that the situation is going be better as soon as possible,” Seiko Hashimoto, the president of the organizing committee, said Friday in a online briefing.

Japan has attributed about 10,000 deaths to COVID-19, good by global standards but poor by standards in Asia. It has vaccinated less than 1% of the population and has not enforced lockdowns with people becoming impatient and less cooperative as cases have again accelerated.

Hashimoto said several test events would continue during the emergency period, but without fans. The Olympics open on July 23.

She was asked again if there were any plans to cancel the Olympics. The question had disappeared at briefings, but has surfaced again in the last several weeks.

“As the organizing committee, we are not thinking about cancellation,” Hashimoto said.

The IOC gets almost 75% of its income from selling television rights and has seen that cash flow stalled by the postponement. It needs the games to happen, which will be followed in six months by the boycott-threatened Beijing Winter Olympics.

Tokyo is officially spending $15.4 billion to organize the Olympics, with several government audits suggesting the number is much larger.

The IOC and organizers are hoping to muffle more cancellation questions next week by rolling out the second edition of the “Playbooks,” guides that are to explain how the Olympics can be held safely in a pandemic.

The first edition rolled out in February was vague. Next week promises to offer more details and is likely to include requirements that 15,400 Olympic and Paralympic athletes be tested almost daily while in Japan.

The IOC has said vaccinations are not required to participate in the Olympics, but it has encouraged all athletes to be vaccinated.

The Playbooks are not expected to offer a decision on venue capacities, nor if any fans will be allowed at all. Fans from abroad have already been banned.

Hashimoto, who participated in seven Olympics as an athlete and won a bronze medal in speedskating at the 1992 Albertville Games, has been open about her concerns. Between 70-80% of the Japanese public polled say they games should not go on.

“I understand a lot of people are worried and also healthcare workers might be worried,” Hashimoto said. “I think about the feelings of those people — every day I think about this.”