Annual New Year’s Fire Review took place at Tokyo Big Sight on 6 January

The annual New Year’s Fire Review, called dezomeshiki, took place at Tokyo Big Sight on Thursday, 6 January from 9:30am until 2pm.

This elaborate event is a spectacular demonstration of fire and disaster prevention performed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Fire Department. It features firefighting drills, rescue, first aid, a parade of firefighting equipment and other various performances.

Some of the firefighting techniques date back to the Edo era (1603–1867). Men dressed as Edo-era firefighters performed acrobatic stunts on top of bamboo ladders.

In all, about 2,700 professional firefighters and members of community-based fire companies in Tokyo and more than 130 fire vehicles, helicopters and ships were mobilized for the event.

Due to anti-coronavirus measures, a limited number of seats for the public were chosen by lottery from online applications in November. The event was also livestreamed on YouTube.

For more information, go to japantoday.com/category/national/annual-new-year’s-fire-review-to-be-held-at-tokyo-big-sight-on-jan-6-2