News media today (Jan. 15, 2006) reported that Masaaki Modegi, president of the Japan Kite Association and world renowned kite flyer, flew Japan's version of the world's largest kite on Jan. 8-9, 2006 at Harumi Pier in Tokyo's Chuo-ku.  Assisted by a team of skilled kite fliers, the 25-metre by 40-metre (approx. 80 ft. x 132 ft.)  kite flew at an altitude of 30 metres in a light breeze.

The kite was  completed in November last year by New Zealand kite designer Peter Lynn.  This was it's inaugural flight.  It is expected that the kite will be flown in a number of festivals in Japan during the coming months.

This is the third kite of this size making the Japanese version one of a trilogy of kites that claims the current title of World's Largest Kite.  The other two kites are owned by Kuwait and David Gomberg of Gomberg Kite Productions in Neotsu, OR, representing the United States.

For more information on the world's largest kites visit my earlier Journal entry on this topic. 

These kites are huge.  They cover approximately 1.5 times the area of an NFL football field and require the application of stringent safety precautions to fly, generally at very low altitudes (typically around 30 metres).