Candle Night Summer Solstice 2006

"Candle Night Summer Solstice" will be held on the evenings of June 17 to 21 in 2006. This annual event, under the slogan of "turn off the lights and take it slow," started in Japan in 2003, and has since spread around the world. On the summer solstice last year, the lights went out in 22,716 public and private facilities in Japan and over 300 events were held.

In the northern hemisphere, the summer solstice is June 21 in 2006. Between June 17 and 21, various events will be held by citizens, local communities, businesses and municipal governments. Turning off the electric lights from 18:00 to 22:00 on these evenings, people will enjoy some special time together in the candle light. This year, events are also planned in Taiwan and Australia, Mauritius and many other countries. On the Candle Night website, a "Candlescape" will display messages in many languages from participants around the world.

A nationwide "Lights Down" and CO2 reduction campaign by Japan's Ministry of the Environment, nicknamed "Black Illumination 2006," will be held on July 18. About 38,000 facilities, including major landmarks such as the Tokyo Tower, Tokyo's Rainbow Bridge, and business facilities, including shops of major convenience store chains, will participate in the campaign.

Key promoters of this event in Japan include Daichi O Mamoru Kai (an organic agriculture and food network), the Sloth Club (an NGO that promotes environmentally friendly culture and lifestyle), and Ms. Junko Edahiro, co-chief executive of Japan for Sustainability (JFS). Japan's Ministry of the Environment (MOE) lends its official support for the event. JFS joins the campaign as a supporting organization this year.

http://www.candle-night.org/english/

Posted: 2006/06/12 12:29:05 PM
Japanese version