KOBE -- A port terminal and a suspension bridge were among more than 10 locations in this city in the western Japan prefecture of Hyogo that were illuminated with blue lights on April 16 to thank health care professionals for their work in the battle against the novel coronavirus.

In late March, London was the first to pay tribute to its frontline workers by lighting up its buildings in blue, and the movement has spread to New York and other places.

In addition to displays at the Kobe Port Terminal and Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, large letters spelling out "Be Kobe" at Meriken Park, and a giant Ferris wheel in Kobe Harborland were lit up. The wheel also displayed a Japanese expression of appreciation -- "arigato."

Group infections of nurses and other health care workers at the city's Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital and elsewhere have been confirmed. A municipal government spokesperson told the Mainichi Shimbun, "Medical professionals are working under constant risk of infection. As prejudice against those infected with the virus is spreading, we would like to instead offer our gratitude."

Facilities in Kobe will be illuminated again from sunset to around 11 p.m. on April 23 and April 30. Residents are still being asked to refrain from going outside, and pictures of the illuminations can be seen on the municipal government's social media accounts.

(Japanese original by Kwanghoon Han, Kobe Bureau)