More than 100 people were taken to hospital to be treated for acute alcohol intoxication after drinking too much at "hanami" (cherry blossom viewing) parties in the Tokyo metropolitan region between March 19 and April 3, according to the Tokyo Fire Department.
The department said 104 people became ill due to overdrinking at the popular parties, Fuji TV reported. Of the 104, 82 were men. Of the total, 40 were men and women in their 20s, 17 were in their 30s and 15 in their 70s.
Authorities said only 18 had to be hospitalized for a night, while the rest were treated and released after a few hours.
© Japan Today
23 Comments
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Lockke
well... YOLO.
More importantly, hope the parks didnt get polluted with garbage much.
sillygirl
How sad. How can you enjoy hanami when you are almost killing yourself with alcohol".
genjuro
"Acute alcohol intoxication" - I love it. Nice euphemism for totally hammered and hung over.
bruinfan
Dirty Harry said, "A good man knows his limitations."
Akula
No problem with heavy drinking, in fact it should be encouraged but as other posters said, know your limits.
Disillusioned
Binge drinking is frowned upon in other countries, but it's part of the culture in Japan. You have to love that!
Peter Qinghai
I'd like to see a graph covering the last 50 years.
sensei258
What about the 40s 50s and 60s?
Frederic Bastiat
I'm sure none of you have ever had a couple more than originally planned, right? Glass houses.
Tessa
One of the things that struck me, during my first hanami booze-up in Osaka, was that there were actually ambulances on standby right next to the cherry trees.
clueless
Anyone treated for an alcohol related incident should have to pay the medical bill in full…no insurance cover.
Why should I and others pay into a system that excuses irresponsible behavior ?
Monozuki
Young people apparently don't know the way of drinking especially in hanami. Binge drinking appears to be kinda going through a rite of passage in Japan. But it's very dangerous in a way, and you have to know your own limitations. Kanpai!
Laguna
Sweet spot: young enough to have the stamina to somehow stagger home and experienced enough to ensure you imbibe in a way you can do so.
77bro
Pfft, sounds like an average weekday evening in my beloved hometown, London
FightingViking
They weren't able to attend the parties... they were busy doing "overtime" at the office...
serendipitous
You'd think those in their 70s would have learned by now!
TrevorPeace
Glad I missed it, this year, although it sure was a lot of fun last year. I think it will be much less crowded and more relaxing for the next six weeks as I visit Kyushu, Shikoku and points in-between.
David Cruz
Make a fun time better but no mess for the rest.
Avalon57
How pathetically sad. People cannot appreciate the beauty of the cherry blossoms without obliterating themselves with booze. Nobody learns anything, ever.
JohnDigsJapan
When they party, they PARTY!
shonanbb
Just puke it out and stand tall.
When walking past those parties, you constantly hear the word ikki,ikki,ikki
clamenza
Acute alcohol intoxication means alcohol poisoning, which is potentially fatal.
sillygirl
All these thumbs down for responsible drinking make me sad. What is the point of drinking until you almost die?