Japan: Horse Breaks Loose at Traditional Soma Nomaoi Festival in Fukushima, Injuring Six 3

Six people were injured after a horse ran wild at the Soma Nomaoi traditional festival in Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture on Sunday, May 24. The incident occurred during an armored horseback race when a rider fell from his horse, causing the animal to bolt off the course and collide with spectators near the ticket booth. Around 40,000 people were in attendance at the Hibarigahara festival grounds. The horse was later secured near the venue.

Japan: Horse Breaks Loose at Traditional Soma Nomaoi Festival in Fukushima, Injuring Six

Six people were injured after a horse ran wild at the Soma Nomaoi traditional festival in Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture on Sunday, May 24. The incident occurred during an armored horseback race when a rider fell from his horse, causing the animal to bolt off the course and collide with spectators near the ticket booth. Around 40,000 people were in attendance at the Hibarigahara festival grounds. The horse was later secured near the venue.

Japan: Horse Breaks Loose at Traditional Soma Nomaoi Festival in Fukushima, Injuring Six 2

Six people were injured after a horse ran wild at the Soma Nomaoi traditional festival in Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture on Sunday, May 24. The incident occurred during an armored horseback race when a rider fell from his horse, causing the animal to bolt off the course and collide with spectators near the ticket booth. Around 40,000 people were in attendance at the Hibarigahara festival grounds. The horse was later secured near the venue.

Traditional horse festival in Fukushima Prefecture

MINAMISOMA, Japan, May 25 Kyodo - People dressed as armored warriors compete in a horse race during the annual "Soma-Nomaoi" traditional horse festival in the Fukushima Prefecture city of Minamisoma, northeastern Japan, on May 25, 2025. (Kyodo)

Traditional horse festival in Fukushima Prefecture

Traditional horse festival in Fukushima Prefecture

People dressed as armored warriors compete in a horse race during the annual "Soma-Nomaoi" traditional horse festival in the Fukushima Prefecture city of Minamisoma, northeastern Japan, on May 25, 2025.

Traditional horse festival in Fukushima Prefecture

Traditional horse festival in Fukushima Prefecture

People dressed as armored warriors compete in a horse race during the annual "Soma-Nomaoi" traditional horse festival in the Fukushima Prefecture city of Minamisoma, northeastern Japan, on May 25, 2025.

Traditional horse festival in Fukushima Prefecture

Traditional horse festival in Fukushima Prefecture

People dressed as armored warriors compete in a horse race during the annual "Soma-Nomaoi" traditional horse festival in the Fukushima Prefecture city of Minamisoma, northeastern Japan, on May 25, 2025.

Traditional horse festival in Fukushima Prefecture

Traditional horse festival in Fukushima Prefecture

People dressed as armored warriors compete in a horse race during the annual "Soma-Nomaoi" traditional horse festival in the Fukushima Prefecture city of Minamisoma, northeastern Japan, on May 25, 2025.

Traditional horse festival in Fukushima Prefecture

Traditional horse festival in Fukushima Prefecture

People dressed as armored warriors compete in a horse race during the annual "Soma-Nomaoi" traditional horse festival in the Fukushima Prefecture city of Minamisoma, northeastern Japan, on May 25, 2025.

Traditional horse festival in Fukushima Prefecture

Traditional horse festival in Fukushima Prefecture

Horsemen dressed in samurai armor take part in the annual "Soma-Nomaoi" traditional horse festival in Soma, Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on May 24, 2025.

Traditional horse festival in Fukushima Prefecture

Traditional horse festival in Fukushima Prefecture

Horsemen dressed in samurai armor take part in the annual "Soma-Nomaoi" traditional horse festival in Soma, Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on May 24, 2025.

Traditional horse festival in Fukushima Prefecture

Traditional horse festival in Fukushima Prefecture

Horsemen dressed in samurai armor take part in the annual "Soma-Nomaoi" traditional horse festival in Soma, Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on May 24, 2025.

Football: World Cup qualifier

Football: World Cup qualifier

Japan's Yuki Soma scores from the penalty spot in the second half of an Asian second-round qualifier for the 2026 World Cup against Syria at Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima in the western Japan city of Hiroshima on June 11, 2024.

Traditional horse festival in northeastern Japan

Traditional horse festival in northeastern Japan

Horsemen dressed in samurai armor take part in the annual "Soma-Nomaoi" traditional festival in Soma, Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on May 25, 2024.

Traditional horse festival in northeastern Japan

Traditional horse festival in northeastern Japan

Horsemen dressed in samurai armor take part in the annual "Soma-Nomaoi" traditional festival in Soma, Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on May 25, 2024.

Traditional horse festival in northeastern Japan

Traditional horse festival in northeastern Japan

Horsemen dressed in samurai armor take part in the annual "Soma-Nomaoi" traditional festival in Soma, Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on May 25, 2024.

Traditional horse festival in northeastern Japan

Traditional horse festival in northeastern Japan

Horsemen dressed in samurai armor take part in the annual "Soma-Nomaoi" traditional festival in Soma, Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on May 25, 2024.

ISU World Figure Skating Championships - Montreal

ISU World Figure Skating Championships - Montreal

Soma Uno of Japan reacts at the end of his short program in the men's competition at the 2024 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Montreal, PQ, Canada, Thursday, March 21, 2024. Photo by Christinne Muschi/CP/ABACAPRESS.COM

ISU World Figure Skating Championships - Montreal

ISU World Figure Skating Championships - Montreal

Soma Uno of Japan performs his short program in the men's competition at the 2024 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Montreal, PQ, Canada, Thursday, March 21, 2024. Photo by Christinne Muschi/CP/ABACAPRESS.COM

ISU World Figure Skating Championships - Montreal

ISU World Figure Skating Championships - Montreal

Soma Uno of Japan performs his short program in the men's competition at the 2024 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Montreal, PQ, Canada, Thursday, March 21, 2024. Photo by Christinne Muschi/CP/ABACAPRESS.COM

ISU World Figure Skating Championships - Montreal

ISU World Figure Skating Championships - Montreal

Soma Uno of Japan performs his short program in the men's competition at the 2024 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Montreal, PQ, Canada, Thursday, March 21, 2024. Photo by Christinne Muschi/CP/ABACAPRESS.COM

ISU World Figure Skating Championships - Montreal

ISU World Figure Skating Championships - Montreal

Soma Uno of Japan performs his short program in the men's competition at the 2024 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Montreal, PQ, Canada, Thursday, March 21, 2024. Photo by Christinne Muschi/CP/ABACAPRESS.COM

(SP)CHINA-HANGZHOU-ASIAN GAMES-SWIMMING (CN)

(SP)CHINA-HANGZHOU-ASIAN GAMES-SWIMMING (CN)

(230927) -- HANGZHOU, Sept. 27, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Gold medalist Zhang Yufei (C) of China, silver medalist Soma Ai (L) of Japan, bronze medalist Wang Yichun of China attend the awarding ceremony for the Women's 100m Butterfly Final of Swimming at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 27, 2023. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)

(SP)CHINA-HANGZHOU-ASIAN GAMES-SWIMMING (CN)

(SP)CHINA-HANGZHOU-ASIAN GAMES-SWIMMING (CN)

(230927) -- HANGZHOU, Sept. 27, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Gold medalist Zhang Yufei (C) of China, silver medalist Soma Ai (L) of Japan, bronze medalist Wang Yichun of China attend the awarding ceremony for the Women's 100m Butterfly Final of Swimming at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 27, 2023. (Xinhua/Du yu)

Asian Games: Swimming

Asian Games: Swimming

Ai Soma of Japan swims in the final of the women's 100-meter butterfly event at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, on Sept. 27, 2023.

Asian Games: Swimming

Asian Games: Swimming

Ai Soma of Japan poses with her silver medal after winning it in the women's 100-meter butterfly swimming event at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, on Sept. 27, 2023.

Asian Games: Swimming

Asian Games: Swimming

Ai Soma of Japan swims in the final of the women's 100-meter butterfly event at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, on Sept. 27, 2023.

Fukushima bottom trawling season

Fukushima bottom trawling season

Boats leave port in Soma in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Sept. 1, 2023, as bottom trawling starts off the prefecture after a two-month closure and for the first time since the release of treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

Fukushima bottom trawling season

Fukushima bottom trawling season

Fish are unloaded at a port in Soma in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Sept. 1, 2023, as bottom trawling starts off the prefecture after a two-month closure and for the first time since the release of treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

Fukushima bottom trawling season

Fukushima bottom trawling season

Boats leave port in Soma in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Sept. 1, 2023, as bottom trawling starts off the prefecture after a two-month closure and for the first time since the release of treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

Supermoon lights up sky in Fukushima Pref.

Supermoon lights up sky in Fukushima Pref.

A supermoon shines over a fishing port in Soma in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 31, 2023.

Supermoon lights up sky in Fukushima Pref.

Supermoon lights up sky in Fukushima Pref.

A supermoon shines over a fishing port in Soma in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 31, 2023.

Week after start of Fukushima water release

Week after start of Fukushima water release

A fisherman maintains fishing gear at a port in Soma in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 31, 2023, a week after Japan began releasing treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant, located in the vicinity, into the sea.

U.S. ambassador visits city near Fukushima plant

U.S. ambassador visits city near Fukushima plant

U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel (front, L) visits a fisheries cooperative association office in the Fukushima Prefecture city of Soma near the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant on Aug. 31, 2023, following the release of treated radioactive water from the plant into the sea.

U.S. ambassador visits city near Fukushima plant

U.S. ambassador visits city near Fukushima plant

U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel meets the press during a visit to the Fukushima Prefecture city of Soma near the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant on Aug. 31, 2023, following the release of treated radioactive water from the plant into the sea.

U.S. ambassador visits city near Fukushima plant

U.S. ambassador visits city near Fukushima plant

U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel eats raw fish in the Fukushima Prefecture city of Soma near the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant on Aug. 31, 2023, to highlight the safety of locally caught fish following the release of treated radioactive water from the plant into the sea.

U.S. ambassador visits city near Fukushima plant

U.S. ambassador visits city near Fukushima plant

U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel visits a seafood corner at a supermarket in the Fukushima Prefecture city of Soma near the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant on Aug. 31, 2023, following the release of treated radioactive water from the plant into the sea.

Release of Fukushima water into sea

Release of Fukushima water into sea

A fisherman maintains fishing gear at a port in Soma in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 24, 2023, as Japan begins releasing treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant, located in the vicinity, into the sea.

Japan begins releasing treated Fukushima water into sea

Japan begins releasing treated Fukushima water into sea

Photo taken on Aug. 24, 2023, shows fishing vessels off Soma in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan. Japan started releasing treated radioactive water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in the vicinity into the ocean later in the day amid lingering concerns among local fishermen and some neighboring countries about the environmental impact.

Japan begins releasing treated Fukushima water into sea

Japan begins releasing treated Fukushima water into sea

Photo taken on Aug. 24, 2023, shows a fishing port in Soma in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan. Japan started releasing treated radioactive water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in the vicinity into the ocean later in the day amid lingering concerns among local fishermen and some neighboring countries about the environmental impact.

Japan begins releasing treated Fukushima water into sea

Japan begins releasing treated Fukushima water into sea

Photo taken on Aug. 24, 2023, shows a fishing port in Soma in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan. Japan started releasing treated radioactive water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in the vicinity into the ocean later in the day amid lingering concerns among local fishermen and some neighboring countries about the environmental impact.

Japan starts releasing Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water into ocean despite opposition at home, abroad

STORY: Japan starts releasing Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water into ocean despite opposition at home, abroad DATELINE: Aug. 24, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:36 LOCATION: Tokyo CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT SHOTLIST: 1. various of a shore near Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant 2. various of ALPS (advanced liquid processing system) at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant 3. various of seaside of Soma City near Fukushima Prefecture STORYLINE: Japan started releasing nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean on Thursday. According to Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), the plant's operator, the water discharge commenced at around 1:00 p.m. local time (0400 GMT), while concerns and opposition persisting among local fishermen as well as in neighboring countries and Pacific island countries. TEPCO said it plans to carry out the first round of release over 17 days to discharge 7,800 tons of the radioactive wastewater. Xinhua News Agency correspondent

Japan's planned discharge of Fukushima nuke wastewater sparks anger

STORY: Japan's planned discharge of Fukushima nuke wastewater sparks anger DATELINE: Aug. 22, 2023 LENGTH: 0:01:50 LOCATION: Tokyo CATEGORY: POLITICS/ENVIRONMENT SHOTLIST: 1 STANDUP (English): TU YIFAN, Xinhua correspondent 2 various of the rally 3 SOUNDBITE 1 (Japanese): Protester 4 SOUNDBITE 2 (Japanese): HIDEKI TAKI, Rally's organizers 5 various of the fishery in Japan 6 various of the rally STORYLINE: STANDUP (English): TU YIFAN, Xinhua correspondent "I'm here by the seaside of Soma City near Fukushima Prefecture. Japanese government announced Tuesday it has decided to start releasing nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the ocean on Thursday, weather conditions permitting. Despite raging opposition from both home and abroad, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced the controversial decision following a ministerial meeting held on Tuesday morning. On the same day, despite pouring rain, hundreds of Japanese gathered in front of the Japanese prime m

Fishermen at port in Fukushima

Fishermen at port in Fukushima

Fishermen prepare to set off for work at a port in Soma in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 22, 2023. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said the same day that Japan will start releasing treated radioactive water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the sea on Aug. 24.

Fishermen at port in Fukushima

Fishermen at port in Fukushima

Fishermen prepare to set off for work at a port in Soma in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 22, 2023. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said the same day that Japan will start releasing treated radioactive water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the sea on Aug. 24.

Fishing boats at port in Fukushima

Fishing boats at port in Fukushima

Fishing boats are moored at a port in Soma in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 22, 2023. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said the same day that Japan will start releasing treated radioactive water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the sea on Aug. 24.

Fishing boats at port in Fukushima

Fishing boats at port in Fukushima

Fishing boats are moored at a port in Soma in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 22, 2023. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said the same day that Japan will start releasing treated radioactive water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the sea on Aug. 24.

Concerns rage as Japan moves closer to discharging nuclear-contaminated wastewater

STORY: Concerns rage as Japan moves closer to discharging nuclear-contaminated wastewater DATELINE: Aug. 9, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:41 LOCATION: Tokyo CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT SHOTLIST: 1. various of Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Japanese): TOSHIMITSU KONNO, Head of Fukushima prefecture's Soma Futaba Fisheries Cooperative Association 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Korean): JU CHEOL-HYEON, South Korea's National Assembly 4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Japanese): HIDEYUKI BAN, Co-director of Citizens' Nuclear Information Center STORYLINE: The Japanese government has been intensifying efforts to make final preparations to commence the discharge of nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the ocean, increasing the world's concern over its controversial plan. Local media reported on Monday that Japan is mulling the discharge of nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the sea beginning in between late August and early September. SOUNDBITE 1 (Japanese): TOSHIMITSU KONNO, Head

Xinhua headlines: Japan's plan to dump nuke-contaminated water into sea stokes real-life Godzilla fears

Xinhua headlines: Japan's plan to dump nuke-contaminated water into sea stokes real-life Godzilla fears

(230623) -- TOKYO, June 23, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Fishermen wait for fishing boats on a bank in Soma City, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, March 8, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

(FOCUS)JAPAN-FUKUSHIMA-NUCLEAR-CONTAMINATED WASTEWATER

(FOCUS)JAPAN-FUKUSHIMA-NUCLEAR-CONTAMINATED WASTEWATER

(230313) -- FUKUSHIMA, March 13, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Toshimitsu Konno, head of Fukushima prefecture's Soma Futaba Fisheries Cooperative Association, gives an interview in Soma City, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, March 8, 2023. Struck by a magnitude-9.0 earthquake and ensuing tsunami that hit Japan's northeast on March 11, 2011, the power plant suffered core meltdowns, resulting in a level-7 nuclear accident, the highest on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale. Twelve years after the 2011 accident traumatized Fukushima's fishing industry, local fishermen are still struggling for recovery. As Japan pushes ahead with dumping tons of contaminated nuclear wastewater from the wrecked Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean in spring or summer, local residents, especially those in the fishing industry, believe their livelihoods would again be devastated. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)