Fostering a Sense of Unity--Candle Night in Kumagaya, Japan
November 30, 2005

Yuko Kishikami
Candle Night Committee

Kumagaya City, with a population of around 200,000, is located in the Northern part of Saitama Prefecture, Japan. It is a one-hour commute from Tokyo by bullet train. It is a historic city that originated from an old posting station in the Edo Period in the 17th century.

The first Candle Night event in Kumagaya city was in 2004. It was initiated by members of the Kumagaya Junior Chamber, Inc. At the event, 12,000 candles were lit and 3,800 residents gathered at Central Park in Kumagaya City. It was one of the biggest events in Candle Night Summer Solstice 2004, in terms of the number of participants and number of candles lit on that night.

Although the event was successful, the other parts of the city were still full of electric lights. Mr. Motohiko Goto of the Kumagaya JC thought that the Candle Night should be a town-wide event, involving more households, stores and companies.

The following year, on the night of June 18, 2005, the Candle Night in Kumagaya was held under the following slogan:

"Have you ever looked up and watched a night sky in Kumagaya?
We wish to leave the beautiful sky to our children.
Cherish the nature, save our resources.
Spend time tonight with your loved ones and families--under the candle lights."

Artists and writers living in Kumagaya city spread the message to the residents. On that night, 10,000 candles were lit in the venue. Around 4,000 people gathered to support Candle Night and enjoy a concert where people played the shakuhachi (Japanese flute), the ocarina, the guitar and sang in a chorus. In addition, a symbolic tower made of 500 candles and lanterns caught the people's attention.

The organizing committee of the 2005 event was a citizen's network in Kumagaya city, consisting of the Kumagaya JC, citizen's organizations and non-profit organizations, as well as the city's social welfare council. It was supported by city and prefectural governments. Businesses in Kumagaya supported the events too. In addition to delivering candles and flyers, they participated in the events in their unique ways. For example, a rice company donated 300 rice balls and a bee farm contributed 150 honey drinks and beeswax candles.

The committee conducted a door-to-door campaign, encouraging the neighboring companies, stores and residents to voluntarily turn off the lights during the events, to include more people and
businesses to participate, adding much more to the last year's event.

Mr. Goto told of his hope for next year. "The Candle Night in Kumagaya has been held twice, and it has been spreading among citizens in the city. People in Kumagaya are very interested in environmental issues, so naturally they are interested in the Candle Night event, too. Moreover, since Kumagaya is one of the hottest towns in Japan, they may try to cool down the town on the longest summer day, by turning off the lights. The event in Kumagaya takes advantage of its unique local concerns, and promotes the concern into an enjoyable event. By sharing a "slow" time together, various types of cooperation and collaborations have been developed. The event was successful, but it should not be temporary. Changing our lifestyle to be environmentally friendly is very important. I'm looking forward to the 2006 summer event, wondering how many more people will join us. I believe the Candle Night in Kumagaya will be the hottest seasonal event on the night of summer solstice in the hottest town in Japan."