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       Housing complex residents enjoy watching a clown performance from the building's upper floors, in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, on Aug. 28, 2021. (Mainichi/Koji Hyodo) =Click/tap photo for more images.

       TOYOTA, Aichi -- Housing complex residents in this central Japan city took to their landings, corridors and windows on Aug. 28 to enjoy a socially-distanced, mini-circus performance held in a nearby parking lot while the area is under a coronavirus state of emergency.

       Nagoya-based Pleasure Planning Co. came up with the circus idea as a way to give some joy to children and families stressed by the coronavirus pandemic. The clown performances included juggling and magic tricks, all watched from safe, secure crowding-free vantage points.

       Company president Kosuke Omune, 52, was dressed as a clown and performed to audience applause and cheers. Among his repertoire was an impressive trick involving placing two combined 2-meter-tall stepladders on his forehead. A coin magic trick requiring cooperation among residents between the second and 14th floors also fostered a sense of unity across the distance. Omune said, "I think we gave them even a few moments to forget the pandemic."

       (Japanese original by Koji Hyodo, Nagoya Photo Group)

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