Nintendo cancels several Japanese events due to threats, The company announced this in a press release on Thursday. Nintendo did not share any details other than to say the threats were “persistently” aimed at Nintendo employees, event staff and spectators. Nintendo Live 2024, scheduled for January 20 to 21 at Tokyo Big Sight in Japan, has been canceled entirely, while the Splatoon Koshien 2023 final, Splatoon3 world Championship, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe finals, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe all championships have been postponed until the company can 'ensure the safety of our customers'.
Polygon has reached out to Nintendo, the Tokyo Big Sight Exhibition Center and the Ota City General Gymnasium (where the upcoming Splatoon event would take place) for more information.
Nintendo Live went international in September, bringing the event to the United States for the first time. Nintendo held several tournaments in Seattle and showed off Super Mario Wonder during the four-day event.
News of Nintendo Live's cancellation comes as the trial for the devastating 2019 Kyoto Animation arson that killed 36 people and injured dozens of others continues. It was one of the deadliest attacks in Japan in decades, shocking the country and the entertainment industry. In the wake of the Kyoto Animation tragedy, Japanese police have continued to respond to these types of threats with “heightened severity.” according to Japan Today. Several people who have threatened employees of both Sega And Square Enix have been arrested.