How Big Is a Japanese Crowd?

[Mulboyne]

When sponsors of Sakata City's annual fireworks festival expressed some doubts about the official attendance numbers released every year by the organizers, it prompted a rethink. Last year, for instance, 410,000 people apparently went along. The organizers conceded that the numbers are no more than a broad estimate. It seems the turnout has usually been calculated by taking the previous year's figure and guessing whether the current year saw a 10-20% increase or decrease from that level. This year, then, the organizers decided to perform an actual count by looking at crowd density. The total this year came in at 198,000, or less than half last year's figure. Even allowing for the effect of the disasters - Sakata is in Yamagata Prefecture - it seems evident that past turnout has been greatly overstated.

Source (Japanese)

[IparryU]

it seems evident that past turnout has been greatly overstated.

LMFAO!!!!!!!!!!

it reminds me of a frat guy conversation...

"dude... there was like... 200 people at that party last night"

"dude... that apartment was like 2 rooms, a living room, back porch, and bathroom... no fucking way even 100 could have been there"

"well dude... i mean... that party was kick ass man... hot chicks too."

"dude... last night was a sausage fest and there wasn't even any weed or free booze."

"well i liked it dude... STFU"

"lol... fag!"

[matsuki]

Genius, the myths here extend all the way to how many in attendance.

TAS at Makuhari has been progressively been getting smaller in both attendance and exhibitors, using less and less space...yet their PR keeps claiming it's growing year after year.



I still wish they'd stop holding firework festivals in impossibly small areas in Tokyo though...last one I went to took an extra 30 mins to get off the train and the fireworks were over after 30 more minutes of shuffling through a mob of sweat covered people crammed between two rows of food booths. Safety cuntry indeed...has there ever been a disaster at one of these? The only thing enjoyable about that night was all the eye candy around me. (and on my arm)

[Kuang_Grade]

....Safety cuntry indeed...has there ever been a disaster at one of these? The only thing enjoyable about that night was all the eye candy around me. (and on my arm)

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20010925a1.html

Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2001
900 PRAY IN AKASHI
Fireworks tragedy remembered KOBE (Kyodo) Some 900 people attended a memorial ceremony held in the city of Akashi, Hyogo Prefecture, Monday to pray for the 11 people who were crushed to death on an overcrowded pedestrian bridge after a fireworks event in July.

[matsuki]

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20010925a1.html

Thanks KG!