Tokyo Tower Lights Up in Red on New Year's Eve, Spreading Love and Hope Rizhong Fuqing Chamber of Commerce

February 11 marked Chinese Lunar New Year’s Eve, and Tokyo’s iconic landmark, Tokyo Tower, lit up in red once again. This year’s event was hosted by the Tokyo Tower Lighting Red Executive Committee, with support from the Embassy of China in Japan, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Special assistance was provided by Tokyo Tower, and additional support came from the China International Cultural Exchange Center, the China Rehabilitation Technology Transformation and Development Promotion Association, and the Silk Road Cities Alliance。

This year’s event carried the theme of “Hope,” comprising the elements of “Dream,” “Love,” and “Light.” The Executive Committee, together with over one million overseas Chinese in Japan and Japanese friends from all walks of life, sought to rekindle “hope,” press forward, and embrace the long-awaited Tokyo Olympics with fiery passion and enthusiasm, while also sending best wishes for the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics next year。

In response to pandemic control measures, this year’s Tokyo Tower Lighting event was broadcast live online, enabling audiences to view the entire lighting ceremony virtually. For the first time, a helicopter was used to capture aerial footage, delivering sincere New Year’s greetings to overseas Chinese in Japan, Japanese friends, and viewers across the country. The event allowed the dazzling moment of Tokyo Tower lighting up in red to be witnessed in the night sky over Tokyo。

Due to the impact of the pandemic, artists from China and Japan could not gather on stage at Tokyo Tower to celebrate the New Year. Instead, the live broadcast featured a special music video titled "Hope." The video, prepared over a month by Chinese and Japanese directors and production teams, creatively blended classic songs from both countries with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 “Ode to Joy.” It was paired with festive footage showcasing the Lunar New Year celebrations and iconic landmarks and cultural scenes from China and Japan. The video was played simultaneously on large screens beneath Tokyo Tower, online platforms, and various Chinese and Japanese media outlets, before continuing to be broadcast worldwide. This climaxed the event, elevating the Tokyo Tower lighting celebration to new heights。

Video Greetings from Zhong Nanshan and Other Notable Figures

Due to the pandemic, artists from China and Japan were unable to perform together on stage at Tokyo Tower to celebrate the New Year. Instead, the live broadcast featured a special music video titled "Hope." This production, prepared over a month by directors and filming teams from both countries, creatively blended classic songs from China and Japan with Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 “Ode to Joy.” The video was accompanied by scenes of Lunar New Year celebrations worldwide, iconic landmarks from China and Japan, and profoundly moving cultural and humanistic themes. It was simultaneously played on large screens beneath Tokyo Tower, online platforms, and media outlets in both countries, before continuing to be broadcast globally. The video served as the climax of the Tokyo Tower lighting event。

This event was initiated by a founding committee composed of prominent figures in Japanese society, including politicians, former politicians, and leaders from religious, medical, economic, educational, cultural, and artistic fields. The committee boasted a high level of representation and prestige. Former Minister of Education and Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Yoshinobu Shimamura served as the chair of the founding committee. Key participants included Liberal Democratic Party Secretary-General Toshihiro Nikai, House of Representatives member and head of LDP regional revitalization Kazuyuki Kamimura, Minister for Economic Revitalization and COVID-19 Response Yasutoshi Nishimura, former Minister of Posts and Telecommunications Shozaburo Jimi, President of Tokyo Tower Corporation Noboru Maeda, Ballet Troupe Leader Yoko Morishita, Ballet Troupe Representative Tetsutaro Shimizu, Japan Heritage Ambassador and Intangible Cultural Asset Holder Shozo Okura, Special Committee Chair for Official Development Assistance and House of Councillors member Shinpei Matsushita, Obaku Sect Chief Priest Hirodo Kondo, Bonsai Museum Founder Kunio Kobayashi, Naoki Literary Prize-winning author Ichiriki Yamamoto, former Chief Priest of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism and Seiryo-in Temple Jinen Seien, and Obaku Sect General Secretary Masateru Araki, among others

This year marks the third edition of the "Lighting Tokyo Tower in Red on Lunar New Year's Eve" event.China and Japan share a deep historical connection with the traditional Lunar New Year celebration. The foundation of state-to-state relations lies in people-to-people bonds. With over 2,000 years of friendly exchanges, the two nations are separated by a narrow strip of water yet share cultural similarities and compatibility that have endured through time. The vibrant and colorful cultural exchanges between the two peoples have enriched their civilizations, making them more diverse and fascinating through mutual learning and interaction.Since the outbreak of COVID-19, China and Japan have supported each other, overcoming challenges together, and have deepened their exchanges and cooperation in the fields of health and hygiene.At the onset of the pandemic, Japan extended a helping hand to China. Relief supplies from Japan bore the phrase "Mountains and rivers apart, we share the same moonlight and wind," a sentiment that deeply moved countless Chinese people.Viruses know no borders, and neither does human compassion. When Japan faced its own struggles with the virus, China reciprocated with aid, expressing support and friendship。

The organizers stated that the "Lighting Tokyo Tower in Red on Lunar New Year's Eve" event aims to promote China-Japan friendship, convey the deep affection of Chinese expatriates in Japan for their homeland and loved ones, and express their blessings for the motherland. It also seeks to showcase to the world the steadfast friendship and cooperation between the peoples of China and Japan in jointly combating the pandemic, while illuminating hope and praying for humanity to overcome the crisis soon。