Space Channel 5 Music Festival Postponed Indefinitely On Coronavirus Fears

Another precaution has been taken to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus in Japan, and it will impact a music festival meant to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Space Channel 5.

The Ukiuki Music Festival was scheduled to take place March 27th at the Shibuya Stream Hall. It has now been postponed indefinitely. The announcement was made by Team Grounding earlier today.

Ticket sales to the festival have been suspended. Organizers say they will resume once alternative plans have been cemented. Current ticket holders are being encouraged to hold on to the passes they have, assuring the festival itself is not canceled.

The original timing of the festival bears attention. March 27th is the current scheduled release date of the Sonic movie in Japan. While the two are unrelated events, it stands to reason a postponement here so far in advance does not bode well for the movie premiering in the country as intended.

Today is the first day of a nationwide voluntary shutdown of public schools in Japan, in response to the spread of the virus, particularly in the Hokkaido prefecture. Not all areas have closed. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has requested officials to draw up more emergency measures to combat the spread within the next 10 days, according to NHK.

This is the second Sega related measure taken in the wake of the coronavirus spread across Japan. Late last week, Sega announced the Tokyo Joypolis would close through March 12th.