TOKYO • Fuji Rock Festival, Japan's biggest annual music event, will be cancelled for the first time due to the coronavirus pandemic, organisers said, disappointing thousands of rock 'n' fans who flock to the outdoor festivities every year.

Since it started in 1997, headliners at the event have included The Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Cure and Kendrick Lamar. Last year, the event attracted 130,000 people over four days.

"We had hoped the pandemic would abate in time to hold this summer's festival as scheduled and were moving forward with planning," the organisers said on their website. "We apologise for taking so long to inform everyone of this decision."

This year's festival had been scheduled for three days from Aug 21, with American rock band The Strokes among the acts.

"Fuji Rock" and "Complete Cancellation" were among the top-trending topics on Twitter after organisers made the announcement last Friday.

"I saw the words 'complete cancellation' and thought it was about the Olympics," lamented Twitter user @taako_chako. "It's about Fuji Rock? Such a shame."

A follow-up statement by organisers on the same day assured fans that, in the coming months, they will "begin the process of bringing a more powerful Fuji Rock Festival back next year with a fresh new energy".

"We look forward to building a happy Fuji Rock with everyone once again. Thank you for your continued understanding and support."

Japan last month lifted its state of emergency, but strict in-bound travel restrictions remain in place, with most non-Japanese nationals not allowed into the country.

Japan has been hit by around 18,000 infections and 900 deaths from the coronavirus pandemic.

REUTERS