Illuminations turned on in Yokohama's Chinatown

Illuminations have been turned on early in Yokohama's Chinatown in honor of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings that open on Sunday.

In a lighting ceremony on Monday night, a representative from an association of local restaurants and shops that organized the event and the mayor of Yokohama City activated 28,000 lights decorating trees on the streets of Chinatown.

Crowds gathered to see the flower- and lantern-shaped lights that carry a message welcoming the APEC forum.

The district's annual illumination usually starts in December to celebrate the Chinese New Year on the lunar calendar. The special lighting will continue everyday through the end of February next year.