A scaled-down experimental version of Osaka's "Illumination of Midosuji Avenue" began on Sunday.

The Midosuji Illumination which usually runs from mid-December through mid-January normally has decorative lighting gracing the expressway girders striding the riverbank in Nakanoshima and ginkgo trees lining Midosuji Avenue.

Due to budget shortfalls and the costs (estimated at 27 million yen) associated with the illumination event, this years display was reduced in scope but still brought out a small group of demonstrators voicing opposition to the lighting amidst the service cuts that have been instituted in Osaka.

The smaller display is testing and verifying the state of the lighting with four colored bulbs.  This experimental lighting will run until February 2009.