University of Tokyo suspends May Festival following bomb threat

The organising committee for the University of Tokyo’s annual May Festival announced on the afternoon of 16 May that all events scheduled for that day were cancelled following a bomb threat received during the festival period. The decision to suspend the programme was made after security warnings were issued, prompting an immediate halt to the student-led activities that typically characterise the university’s major cultural gathering.

The University of Tokyo issued a statement expressing strong regret that the festival had been cancelled. In its communication, the institution highlighted the significance of the event as a space for free academic inquiry, noting the disappointment caused by the interruption to its traditional operations. The cancellation affects all planned activities for the day, though it remains unclear whether the festival will resume on subsequent days.

The specific nature of the bomb threat has not been disclosed in available reports. Sources indicate that the warning was received during the ongoing festival period, but details regarding whether the threat was communicated via phone, written note, or digital means are not yet public. The identity of the individual or group responsible for the threat has also not been revealed.

This incident occurs against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny regarding security protocols at major public events in Japan. While the source material confirms the administrative decision to cancel the day’s events, it does not provide independent verification of a physical device or imminent danger beyond the receipt of the threat itself.

The University of Tokyo has not yet provided further details on the investigation or any specific measures taken to ensure safety for future days of the festival. As of the afternoon announcement, the focus remains on the immediate suspension of activities and the institutional response to the disruption of academic and cultural life on campus.