Festival of Light and Shadow of Environment - Fluctuation of Omotesando Illumination 1998-1999

Festival of Light and Shadow of Environment - Fluctuation of Omotesando Illumination 1998-1999

At the end of the 1990s, year-end illuminations took root throughout Japan, and Omotesando, Tokyo, was a symbol of such festivities. The festivities that decorated the streets in the midst of a sluggish economy were meant to revitalize the city and increase consumption, but at the same time there were concerns about the environmental impact. The Acid Rain Research Association, an environmental group, conducted a survey of the actual lighting conditions at the end of 1998 and estimated that lighting approximately 390,000 0.54-watt light bulbs for 72 hours consumed the equivalent of one month's worth of electricity for about 53 average households and produced about 2.2 tons of CO2 emissions. He then sounded the alarm that "behind the festive atmosphere lies a burden on the environment," and called for the need for environmentally friendly events. This is due to the urgent need to address global warming following the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol. In terms of technology, the sh
ift from incandescent bulbs to LEDs and reductions through lighting control were becoming a reality. If LEDs were introduced, it would be possible to reduce power consumption by 80%, and efficiency could be improved by reducing light at midnight and by zoning. Furthermore, a variety of options were being explored, including reflective materials, improved power distribution efficiency, and the introduction of renewable energy. The Omotesando illumination was a symbolic event that reflected the challenges of the new era between the glamour of urban culture and environmental responsibility.