Work

Balancing tradition and animal welfare: Adapting an animal-involving festival to climate change in Fukushima, Japan

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Climate change poses critical risks to humans and animals, particularly during outdoor events. The Soma Nomaoi Festival in Fukushima, Japan, with a thousand-year history involving horses and riders, has become vulnerable to rising summer temperatures. In 2023, during a record high of 35.2 °C, 83 heatstroke cases occurred, including 74 among spectators and nine among horse riders, with two horse fatalities and 111 horses requiring medical care. In response, organizers rescheduled the 2024 festival to May, resulting in a maximum temperature of 24 °C. Human heatstroke cases dropped by 83 % (to 18 cases), and equine cases fell from 111 to 38. Although injuries from heightened horse activity increased, overall welfare improved. This case illustrates how traditional festivals can adapt to climate change while preserving cultural integrity. The experience demonstrates the value of the One Health approach in balancing cultural tradition, human safety, and animal welfare.

Source: One Health

DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2025.101270

Authors: Fumiue Harada, Morihito Takita, Kenji Shibuya

Institutions: Fukushima Medical University, Soma Central Hospital, Medical Governance Research Institute

Language: English

Topic: Climate Change and Health Impacts

Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Climate action

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,080