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, Christmas and year-end illuminations in Japan had become an urban winter tradition, and Omotesando, Tokyo, in particular, was attracting nationwide attention for its spectacular tree-lined avenues of light. With the economy in a period of economic stagnation following the bursting of the bubble economy, these events to brighten up the streets were aimed at revitalizing the city and stimulating consumption. At the same time, however, the energy consumption behind the gaudy decorations gradually became an issue amid growing environmental awareness.

The Acid Rain Research Group, an environmental organization, conducted a study of the Omotesando illumination at the end of 1998 and estimated that the 390,000 0.54 watt light bulbs were lit for a total of 72 hours, consuming enough electricity to power 53 average households for one month and producing 2.2 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. The study group asked the question, "Is it acceptable to put a burden on the global environment behind the glitz and glamor of the lights? These words were not mere criticism, but also a proposal for new festivals and events for society.

At the time, just after the Kyoto Protocol was adopted, interest in global warming countermeasures and energy conservation was growing rapidly both in Japan and abroad. Against this international backdrop, the survey was perceived as a symbolic issue that raised the question of balancing consumption culture and environmental impact. From a technological standpoint, the method of using incandescent light bulbs in large quantities was already beginning to show its limits. If LEDs were used, power consumption could be reduced by about 80%, and carbon dioxide emissions could be significantly curbed. Furthermore, by introducing timers and staged lighting, reducing the amount of light used late at night, and controlling lighting in areas with low traffic, it was possible to maintain the city's spectacle while reducing waste.

In addition, improving power distribution efficiency, stabilizing the power factor, and using reflective materials to improve visibility were also effective, and technological options already existed to reduce the environmental burden without compromising lighting quality. Furthermore, institutional support such as the use of renewable energy and offsets through green power certificates were also becoming a possibility. These attempts were not just about temporarily reducing electricity consumption, but were also linked to the concept of life cycle assessment, which introduces a long-term perspective. It was beginning to be recognized that evaluations should take into account the lifespan of products and equipment, efficiency improvements associated with renewal, and changes in the energy composition of society as a whole.

This case brought to light the fact that illumination, as a symbol of a city, has two contradictory characteristics: glamor and environmental impact. It was also an event that symbolically demonstrated the issue of how to harmonize the richness of life and culture with environmental preservation in late 20th century Japanese society. Since then, with the spread of LEDs, the advancement of control technology, and the introduction of renewable energy, urban lighting has shifted to a more sustainable form. The Omotesando Festival of Lights was a mirror of the times, reflecting environmental issues behind the festive atmosphere.