Naha Giant Tug-of-War to be Held for the First Time in Three Years

Mayor Mikiko Shiroma (left) and Morimasa Goya, chair of the Naha Giant Tug-of-War Preservation Committee, announce that the Naha Giant Tug-of-War will be held (October 17, Naha City Hall)

August 18, 2022 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Naoki Isa

At a regular press conference on August 17, representatives of Naha City in Okinawa announced that the Naha Giant Tug-of-War and the procession of hatagashira (banners) will be held on October 9. The event was cancelled in both 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, making this the first time it will be held in three years. In the event of a state of emergency being declared, the event may be cancelled.

Organizers are considering limiting the number of participants in the tug-of-war. They will continue to monitor the spread of COVID-19, and will announce details related to participation and the scale of the event at a later date. The parade featuring performances by local artists and traditional folk art and the RBC festival that are normally held with the tug-of-war have been canceled. Organizers are considering alternative events.

The Naha Giant Tug-of-War in 2018 (file photo)

Naha Mayor Mikiko Shiroma says, “We decided to hold the tug-of-war because of concerns that residents are feeling cooped up, and concerns about (the depression of) economic activity. There are things that we are worried about, but we will try holding the event.”

The decision to hold the Giant Tug-of-War was made by a written decision of the executive committee on July 26.

(English translation by T&CT and Ellen Huntley)

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