TOKYO Marriage Support Festa on Triple-8 Day

Governor Koike spoke at TOKYO Marriage Support Festa on August 8 at the Azabudai Hills business and commercial complex in central Tokyo.

The event has been hosted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to help build momentum for marriage across Tokyo. It drew a record 55,000 visitors this year.

The 2026 event was held on a day considered auspicious—the eighth day of the eighth month of 2026, which is the eighth year of the Reiwa era on the Japanese calendar. The figure eight in Japanese is a lucky symbol as it consists of two outward strokes spreading toward the bottom evoking growing happiness and prosperity.

“Let’s all have fun while also thinking about ‘infinity’ and the future,” Governor Koike said in her opening remarks at the event. “I hope that today’s encounters, experiences and interactions will serve as a new step toward the future for all of you.”

“Infinity” is the term she has used to point out that the figure of eight in Arabic numerals resembles the infinity symbol when placed sideways.