On January 16, Governor Ishihara handed letters of appointment to Shumpei Momosawa, an official of the Metropolitan Government Bureau of Taxation, and Naomichi Suzuki, an official of the Bureau of Social Welfare and Public Health, who, at the suggestion of Vice Governor Inose, were dispatched to start work at Yubari City, Hokkaido from January 21, in order to play a part in the city’s financial reconstruction. The two officials are scheduled to remain in their new posts for two years. Governor Ishihara offered them encouragement, saying, “It will be a good experience. Offer them all the suggestions you can.” Vice Governor Inose then joined them for a commemorative photograph.

For reasons unknown, many of the flowers that bloom early in the year are colored yellow: daffodils, pheasant’s-eye, and, from late January to February, Winter Sweet. Machida City’s Tadao Park is home to roughly 70 Winter Sweet trees, of which some, including the full moon variety, were already blooming in full glory the day this photograph was taken. The delicate petals, in their perfection, could almost be mistaken for artificial wax flowers, and their sweet fragrance, carried on the wind, was a natural perfume. Park visitors cupped the flowers in their hands to savor the fragrance.

Before dawn on January 23 snow began falling in the center of the city, marking the first snow accumulation in Tokyo in two years. There was not much, but just enough snow fell to lightly blanket the ground and the roofs of buildings on this day, which had recorded the coldest temperatures of the season. In Shinjuku Chuo Park, located right next to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government office, the contrast between the trees and the snow was reminiscent of Japanese sumi-e, an ink painting which is created using black ink and an economy of brush strokes.

On January 25 at Shinjuku Station, approximately 1,400 people took part in a disaster management drill. The drill was held based on the scenario that an estimated 170,000 people could be stranded in the Shinjuku Station area at the time of a major earthquake. At the West Exit of Shinjuku Station, drill participants followed the directions of department store and railway staff to exit through the ticket gates of each railway company, and evacuate to a designated building. In addition, at Shinjuku Chuo Park, a drill involving the installation of temporary toilet facilities and a drill utilizing the 171 emergency telephone message system were carried out. Drinking water was also distributed from a mobile water station.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the restoration of the Ogasawara Islands from the United States to Japan. As a commemorative activity to publicize this event, on February 5 the Ogasawara Islands 40th Anniversary Restoration Commemorative Caravan paid a courtesy call on Governor Ishihara. The group, which included Kazuo Morishita, mayor of Ogasawara Village, and actor Takuro Tatsumi, who has been named an honorary ambassador of the islands, worked to raise public awareness of the charms of the beautiful Ogasawara Islands, known as “the Galapagos of the East. ” A ceremony to commemorate the restoration of the islands is scheduled for July 4, with plans for a wide variety of events including a cooking contest focused on island cuisine.

On February 14 a ceremony for presenting “Green Tokyo Fundraising Campaign Certificates of Appreciation” was held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government buildings. At the event, which is the first to date, the city bestowed certificates of appreciation upon groups and individuals who have made significant contributions to the Green Tokyo Fundraising Campaign, a collection whose proceeds will be used to create a greener Tokyo. The Governor’s Award was presented to Mori Building Co., Ltd. and Educational Foundation Bunka Gakuen. The Special Award went to the Architectural Association of Ireland, the Ireland Association of Contemporary Art Museums, and the Korean Architects’ Association. The Bureau of the Environment Director General’s Award was presented to Daiwa House Industry, Co., Ltd.; Heiwa Real Estate Co., Ltd.; NPO Chinju-no-mori; Tanseisha Co., Ltd.; Asahi Breweries, Ltd.; and Mr. Nobuyuki Takano. Thanks for all your cooperation with the Green Tokyo Fundraising Campaign!

On February 25, Governor Ishihara visited the Tokyo Fire Department Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Consultation Center. Since June 2007, the Center has served as a consultation point for city residents uncertain about whether or not they should use an ambulance. Operating 24 hours a day year-round, the number of inquiries fielded by the center has climbed to a total of 180,517 in the eight months since it was established. By swiftly making appropriate judgments and offering advice, all from a medical perspective, staff members contribute to the proper use of emergency vehicles. The Governor observed how staff handled consultation calls from city residents and listened to an explanation of how the Center’s terminal screens are operated. Afterwards, he offered words of encouragement and gratitude to members of the Fire Department.

On February 29, His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince visited the Seichou School for Disabled Children in Ikejiri, Setagaya Ward. After observing activities such as computer training, His Highness made friendly conversation with the students as he watched a corsage-making class, remarking as they worked that it looked rather difficult. Afterwards, he enjoyed a concert in the school auditorium where 100 students sang Beethoven’s Ode to Joy in German to the accompaniment of the Kunitachi Music Academy orchestra.

On March 16, Governor Ishihara held a meeting with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who was visiting Japan to attend the 4th Ministerial Meeting of the G8 Gleneagles Dialogue on Climate Change, Clean Energy, and Sustainable Development. While exchanging opinions on global warming countermeasures, former Prime Minister Blair expressed his high opinion of Tokyo’s anti-global warming initiatives, saying “Tokyo’s plans are of great interest to the world, and expanding them throughout Japan will be an important agenda.” After the meeting, the two participated in the “Actions against global warming: Japan ’s role in the world” symposium.

On March 29, opening ceremonies were held at Nippori Station and other locations for the new Nippori-Toneri Liner transportation system which will commence operations on March 30. After a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Governor Ishihara and local residents involved in the project boarded the train for a trial run. From route planning to full operation establishment of the liner took 22 years. The five-car rubber-tired train runs automatically on an elevated track. The line connects Nippori (Arakawa Ward) with Minumadai-shinsuikoen (Adachi Ward), with 13 stations along a 9.7 kilometer route which takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. It is expected to contribute to the vitalization of the area.

On March 31, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department’s Tokyo Wangan Police Station opened its doors in Aomi, Koto Ward. The building consists of nine floors above-ground and one below, and the exterior wall is emblazoned with an image of Pipo-kun, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police mascot, and the words Tokyo Wangan in Roman letters. The station has jurisdiction over the waterfront areas of Odaiba, Ariake, and Yumenoshima. The station opening ceremony was attended by some 230 people, including Governor Ishihara and Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department Superintendent General Takayoshi Yashiro. A message of congratulations was also received from actor Yuji Oda, who played a role in a television series that featured a station called Wangan Station. Following a ribbon-cutting ceremony, a parade took place with marching police officers, motorcycles and patrol cars.

At Ueno Park, with all 1,200 blossoming cherry trees in bloom, spring is in full swing. March 29 was blessed with perfect weather for hanami (flower-viewing parties), and the park was crowded with visitors from morning to evening. Tokyo’s cherry blossoms (the someiyoshino variety) blossomed on March 22, the earliest in the whole country. Visitors with families in tow and tourists from overseas snapped photos of the cherry blossoms and held parties beneath the trees. A large number of people were able to fully savor the true advent of spring.

On April 26, flights between Miyakejima Island and Haneda were operated for the first time in seven years and eight months, realizing the long-awaited wish of the island residents. Prior to this, on the morning of April 23, Governor Ishihara and other related persons arrived at Miyakejima Airport on a charter flight and were welcomed by a large number of overjoyed island residents. During the event commemorating resumption of flights to Miyakejima Airport, the governor said, “Air access has been secured and the foundation for redevelopment of the island has been established. I do hope that many people will come to the island.” For the time being, there will be one round-trip flight a day with a flight time of 45 minutes, but the aim is to operate two round-trip flights a day in the future as was the case before the island eruption. Photograph: Governor Ishihara stepping off the charter flight.

On April 17, the “Japanese Prefectural Tourism Promotion Center” opened on the second floor of the north side of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government No.1 Building. Tourist brochures on regions throughout Japan are displayed in an area of about 100 square meters, and there is a corner where prefectural governments can promote tourism, industries, local products, etc. First off was Miyazaki Prefecture: Governor Hideo Higashikokubaru took the initiative of attending the grand opening ceremony. Tourist information on areas throughout Japan will be disseminated from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, which has 1.9 million visitors per year. Photograph: Governor Ishihara viewing the event corner.

An exhibition of the work of fashion designer Kansai Yamamoto entitled “Passion - Kansai Energy” is being held at the Edo-Tokyo Museum in Ryogoku and will run through July 6. Governor Ishihara visited the exhibition on April 13, prior to its opening. The governor related to Yamamoto’s explanation that he wanted to recapture the beauty of Japan that reflects the once radical and passionate mind of the Japanese people and to prove that it is accepted globally. The governor and Mr. Yamamoto enthusiastically viewed the exhibition together. Photograph: Governor Ishihara bending over to take a closer look with Mr. Yamamoto behind him.

The Tokyo International Youth Football (U-14) Tournament 2008 brought together 10 teams of age 14 and under players from Tokyo and eight other cities in the world. The final matches for the top three spots took place on April 28 at Ajinomoto Stadium in Chofu City. Unfortunately, the Tokyo Selected Team did not make it to the finals but played against Paris and won 5-0. In the finals, Berlin went up against Seoul, and Berlin, which boasts a strong defense, won 3-0. Photograph: Tokyo Selected Team (in white uniform), using their techniques, defeats Paris.

A ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Tama Zoological Park was held at the park on May 1. About 200 people including Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Hitachi attended the ceremony held under clear blue skies. Following this, Vice Governor Hideo Sugawara took the Prince and Princess on a tour of the Indian rhinoceros area and other areas in the “Asian Marsh Zone”, which was built to coincide with the 50th anniversary. Tama Zoological Park was opened as a branch of the Ueno Zoological Gardens and is said to be the forerunner of zoological exhibits of animals in action and their habits. Photograph: Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Hitachi observing the Indian rhinoceros area.

On May 15, His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito toured the Training and Technical Development Center (Tamagawa, Setagaya Ward) and Kinuta Purification Plant (Kitami, Setagaya Ward) of the Bureau of Waterworks. The Crown Prince was appointed honorary president of the United Nations Secretary General's Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation in November last year, and he is deeply interested in waterworks in the world. At the Research and Development Center, The Crown Prince's inspections included practices conducted on water service pipes, and he also took part in a drill to detect leakage from underground pipes. Photograph: H.I.H. The Crown Prince listens to an explanation by Director General Soji Higashioka, Bureau of Waterworks, during piping practices.

A tree planting event was held at the planned site for Umi-no-Mori (The Sea Forest) in Aomi, Koto Ward on May 27. “Umi-no-Mori” is a land development project in which an 88-hectare landfill site of the Inner Central Breakwater of Tokyo Bay will be greened within 30 years by the planting of 480,000 trees. Bono, lead vocalist of the world-famous Irish rock band U2, participated at the request of architect Tadao Ando. Eleven different types of seedlings?270 seedlings in al?were planted by the participants, which included 133 elementary school children from Tokyo. Photograph: Bono plants tree with Tadao Ando.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has been working on the construction of the Kandagawa River / Ring Road No. 7 (Kan-nana) storm water reservoir 50 meters beneath the ring road to store storm water runoff. The second phase of construction was recently completed and unveiled to the press on May 14. Together with the first phase of construction, a tunnel 12.5 meters in diameter stretching a total of 4.5 kilometers has been completed. The tunnel is a reservoir that can hold 540,000 cubic meters of flood water, and will greatly boost flood control in the Kandagawa river basin. Photograph: Storm water tunnel 12.5 meters in diameter for temporary storage of overflowing water.

On June 13, just before the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line began operation, a commemorative ceremony took place at Shinjuku-sanchome Station. Governor Ishihara joined approximately 650 other guests to celebrate the launch of the new section of the line, which runs approximately 8.9 kilometers between Ikebukuro and Shibuya. With the addition of this section, Wako-shi and Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, and Shibuya, the three subcenters of Tokyo will create a 20.2-kilometer-long link, enabling a smooth connection between southwest Saitama Prefecture and the heart of the capital city. Photo: Governor Ishihara (third from right) at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Over 100,000 irises of about 170 varieties bloom every year in June at the Kitayama Park in Higashimurayama City. The park, which has been selected as one of the new “100 views of Tokyo” (based on the famous series of woodblock prints “100 views of Edo” by 19th century artist Hiroshige), is a natural haven rich in water and greenery, set against the backdrop of the Sayama Kyuryo hill area. Wild birds flock on rice paddies in the park and native wildflowers are also in bloom. The water sets off the white, lavender, and purple-black colors of the irises. This is a brief sketch of a day during the rainy season. Photo: This year marked the 20th holding of the Higashimurayama Iris Festival.

Tokyo’s candidacy for the 2016 summer Olympic Games has been finalized, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has authorized the use of the official Olympic mark. In conjunction with this, a new bid emblem and seven new posters have been created, and were unveiled on June 12 by the Tokyo 2016 Olympic Bid Committee. The new emblem takes the form of a traditional Japanese knot known as “musubi.” It integrates the Olympic colors into the motif of a “mizuhiki” including the words “Candidate City.” The Committee has also created a new slogan for use in future bid activities: “Japan can do it. A new Olympic Games!” Photo: Governor Ishihara unveils the new Olympic bid emblem and posters.

On June 10, a signing ceremony for the Tokyo 2009 Asian Youth Para Games took place at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building. Roughly 700 disabled youths aged 14 to 19 from over 20 Asian countries will participate in the Games, which are scheduled to take place in September 2009. With Governor Ishihara present at the ceremony, Mr. Dato’ Zainal Abu Zarin, President of the Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) and Mr. Hokugo, Chairman of the Tokyo 2009 Asian Youth Para Games Organizing Committee expressed their hopes for the great success of the games. Photo: From left to right, President Dato’ Zainal of the APC, Governor Ishihara, and Chairman Hokugo of the Organizing Committee exchange handshakes after the signing.

On July 31, four local government leaders - Governor Ishihara of Tokyo, the governor of Kanagawa Prefecture, and the mayors of Yokohama City and Kawasaki City - took a boat from the pier to visit the construction site of the fourth "D" runway at Haneda Airport. Since the start of full-fledged construction 16 months ago, steady progress has been made through round-the-clock construction work aiming to open the runway for service in fall 2010. The number of scheduled international flights is anticipated to increase after this 2,500-meter offshore runway comes into service. Following their visit, Governor Ishihara said, It is strange that an area with such a large population and so much economic potential as the Greater Tokyo Area should have only one international airport in Narita. Accessibility by air is essential for national prosperity and I truly look forward to the completion of this runway. Photo: The four local leaders on the pier after their visit to the new “D” runway (seen in the background).

2008 marks the 40th anniversary of the reversion of the Ogasawara Islands to Japan from the United States. On July 4, a ceremony commemorating this historical event took place on the island of Chichijima, a part of the island chain. Governor Ishihara attended the event as a guest and extended his greetings. Under the midsummer sun, the festive atmosphere was enhanced with Ogasawara Village Mayor Kazuo Morishita and local elementary school children leading a parade full of tropical flair down Main Street accompanied by the Self Defense Forces band and island residents.

For six days starting July 15, a tourism and trade exhibition was held by Yubari City, Hokkaido at the Japanese Prefectural Tourism Promotion Center located in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government office building. Two staff members, commissioned from Tokyo to assist the city that suffered financial collapse, accompanied Yubari City Mayor Fujikura to Tokyo to help sell products at the event. Tokyo Vice Governor Inose, with a melon in hand, also played a part in urging visitors to purchase melons by calling out, “Try these melons and get a taste of how wonderful Yubari is.” Photo: (from right) Vice Governor Inose, Yubari City Mayor Fujikura, and Tokyo Metropolitan Government staff members, Shunpei Momosawa and Naomichi Suzuki.

The 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics marks the third Summer Olympic Games to be held in Asia. On July 28, a send-off ceremony for the Japanese team attended by His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito was held at a hotel near Shiba Park. At the reception that followed, Governor Ishihara gave the delegation a pep talk. Every medal you win will add momentum to the movement supporting Tokyo’s bid to host the Olympics. A lot of national funding goes into sending you to the Olympics, so be sure to give it everything you’ve got.

On August 27, wrestling medalists of the Beijing Olympic Games paid a courtesy call on Governor Ishihara. The six medalists who visited were gold medalists Kaori Icho and Saori Yoshida, silver medalists Chiharu Icho and Tomohiro Matsunaga, and bronze medalists Kyoko Hamaguchi and Kenichi Yumoto. The Governor praised their effort and said, “You’ve all done extremely well. We were saved by your great performance.” Ms. Kyoko Hamaguchi expressed her bid expectations by saying, “I hope Tokyo will host the Olympic Games in 2016.” Photo: from left, Tomohiro Matsunaga, Chiharu Icho, Saori Yoshida, Governor Ishihara, Kaori Icho, Kyoko Hamaguchi and Kenichi Yumoto.

On August 25, the Tokyo Fire Department held a departing ceremony of wrap buses promoting recruitment of local fire brigade members prior to September, the month designated for enhancement of firefighter recruiting. The ceremony was held in front of the main entrance on the second floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government No.1 Building. There is a shortage of approximately 10% of the 16,000 firefighters required for the Ward area. To fulfill the number of firefighters and to promote people to join, advertising will be run on four metropolitan buses and one car per Toei Streetcar Arakawa line until September 24. Photo: Ribbon cutting by singer Kiyoko Suizenji who participated in the ceremony as a member of the firefighter cheering squad, and others.

On August 31, the day before the designated Disaster Preparedness Day, a comprehensive disaster management drill was held at various locations in Tokyo, based on the scenario that an earthquake with an upper 6 level on the Japanese seismic scale with the epicenter located to the north of the Tokyo Bay had occurred. About 15,000 people took part in the drill. Chuo-dori street in Ginza, the main drill site, which would be normally crowded with people and vehicles, was closed off. Led by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department and the Tokyo Fire Department and accompanied by the Self-Defense Forces and the local community association, the evacuation and rescue drill took place on the assumption of an urban disaster. Photo: SDF personnel rescuing victims from subway premises.

Cumulonimbus clouds in the sky, the chirring of cicadas, straw hats and the infatuation of catching beetles, taking a nap with your bare belly showing on a hot summer day without any air-conditioning but only a paper fan. Memories of such summers from the distant past were recaptured when I came across a prototype scene of a family on a 20,000-square-meter farmland in Kiyose City where 100,000 sunflowers were in full bloom. Photo: The Kiyose Sunflower Festival.

On September 12, a new exercise called the “TOKYO Exercise” debuted at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to boost enthusiasm for sports in line with Tokyo’s bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games. The five members of AKB48, an Akihabara-based pop group chosen to represent the campaign, demonstrated the dance-like rhythmical version of the exercise, followed by a seated version joined by the cartoonist Mr. Yoshikazu Ebisu.

Governor Ishihara’s centenarian visit this year was paid to Ms. Chiyo Matsui, a koto (a traditional Japanese 13-stringed musical instrument) instructor who turned 100 on November 1. The Governor visited her home in Ota Ward on September 10 ahead of the Respect-for-the-Aged Day (September 15), and presented her with a congratulatory letter and a crane carving, a traditional craft of Edo. The two enjoyed talking about Ms. Matsui’s parents and reminiscing about her school days. In FY2008, 1,636 Tokyo residents will celebrate their 100th birthday, an increase of 49 over the previous fiscal year. This brings the total number of centenarians in Tokyo to 4,254.

On September 18, Governor Ishihara of Tokyo, Mayor Nakata of Yokohama, and Mayor Abe of Kawasaki held talks in Tokyo on bolstering international competitiveness of the three ports (Tokyo, Yokohama, and Kawasaki) of the Keihin region. The three leaders jointly decided on measures to boost port use such as helping to cut shipping company costs by introducing a port charge system from April 2009 in which container ships can enter any of the other two ports for free after paying at one of the ports. It was also agreed to step up activities for integrated operations within FY2009.

Enjoying the final days of warm summer sun, I visited the Hamarikyu Gardens in Minato Ward on September 10. Passing through the entrance and taking the path along the Tsukiji River, a carpet of cosmos rolled out before me. To the admiration of the gardens’ visitors, as many as 200,000 pink and yellow cosmos, soaring as high as I stand, were in full bloom against the backdrop of Shiodome’s high-rise buildings.

On October 28, Governor Ishihara visited Shinshuku Elementary School of Ota ward. Since FY2005, Tokyo has been working to grass the schoolyards of all public elementary and junior high schools in Tokyo, numbering about 2000, with scheduled completion by FY2016, the year Tokyo hopes to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games. As of the end of FY2007, lawns have been planted in 78 schoolyards. Surrounded by many children, Governor Ishihara also went barefoot to get a feel of the vivid green grass. Photo: Governor Ishihara enjoys walking barefoot on the grass.

From October 22 to 24, experts from 32 cities around the world gathered in Tokyo for the C40 Tokyo Conference on Climate Change. Serious impacts of global warming are already appearing throughout the world and urgent measures need to be taken worldwide to address the issue of climate change. At the conference, discussions were held on topics such as measures to reduce carbon dioxide emissions as well as measures to adapt to extreme weather, natural disasters, food shortages, and other consequences of climate change. An agreement was reached on 13 Joint Actions to be implemented by large cities, including the changing of citizen lifestyles. Photo: Joint press conference

Blessed with fine weather on October 4th’s “Walking Day,” families and groups of young people separated into six courses to walk the “Tama River 50 km,” a 50-kilometer path along the Tamagawa River where walking, running, and strolling can be enjoyed. Tama River 50 km stretches from Hamura City, near the Hamura intake weir, to the green riverside of Daishibashi Bridge in Ota ward. At the Gasubashi Bridge finish line, events took place such as a demonstration of the “Tokyo Exercise” and an Awa Odori dance performance by Ota ward office staff, enlivening the mood of the first Tamagawa Walking Festival. Photo: Participants walking near Marukobashi Bridge, Ota ward

With the number of Furikome (bank transfer) scams reaching a record high, on October 7 at the TMG building, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government announced the “Five-Party Furikome Scam Eradication Declaration” and held a ceremony to appoint the “PR Ambassador.” The five parties in the declaration are the TMG, the Metropolitan Police Department, the Tokyo Bankers’ Association, the Telecommunications Carriers Association, and the Japan Franchise Association. Beijing Olympics judo gold medalist Ayumi Tanimoto was appointed the PR ambassador and received her letter of designation by Governor Ishihara. Incidentally, Ms. Tanimoto’s forte is the ippon-zeoi (one arm shoulder throw). Photo: Ms. Tanimoto receiving her letter of designation from Governor Ishihara.

The 58 camphor trees along Parthenon Avenue were among those lit up by approximately 400,000 holiday lights at the Tama Center Illumination 2008. Marking its eighth year, the festival featured such bedazzling scenes as the “Aquarium of Lights,” “Santa’s Forest,” and “Wonderland.” The energy-saving LED lights used at this eco-friendly event gave a warm and bright welcome to visitors. Photo: Aquarium of Lights

On November 7, approximately 1,000 members of the Metropolitan Police Department, Tokyo Fire Department, and Japan Self-Defense Force gathered at Tokyo Big Sight to participate in a field training exercise simulating the explosion of a radiation-emitting terrorist bomb. At this first drill of its kind in Japan, the Tokyo Fire Department’s unmanned rescue robots and the NBC reconnaissance vehicles of the Japan Self-Defense Force were among the sophisticated equipment used. Exercises included triage, to sort out the injured according to the severity of their condition, and decontamination. Photo: Robots rescue radiation bomb victims (mannequins)

On November 17, a “Symposium on Measures to Be Taken Against New Strains of Influenza” was held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office. New strains of influenza emerge when the viruses of birds and other animals mutate to be easily passed from person to person. As most people do not have built-up immunities to the new strains, it is feared that this could lead to a global pandemic. Following Governor Ishihara’s opening address at the symposium, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific Shigeru Omi and two other researchers gave keynote presentations and participated in a panel to discuss precautions and countermeasures. Photo: Case studies are discussed in a slide presentation

On November 26, the Tokyo 2016 Bid Committee appointed comedian Kanpei Hazama as a “Tokyo 2016 Bid Ambassador.” In December, Mr. Hazama, an active marathon runner, will embark on a challenging journey that will see him run and sail around the world. He intends to arrive in Copenhagen, Denmark, by the end of September 2009, just before the IOC decision on the host city for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, to offer his support to Tokyo’s bid. Mr. Hazama expressed his hopes for the journey saying, “I want to manage to arrive by two or three days before the meeting.” Photo: Mr. Hazama appears slightly self-conscious as he shakes hands with Vice Governor Tanigawa while holding a Tokyo 2016 cap in his other hand.

On December 2, Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan visited the Tokyo Metropolitan Sports Center for the Disabled in Kita ward on the occasion of “Disabled Persons’ Week,” held from December 3 to 9. Their Majesties watched on graciously as physically challenged players competed in various games. After the games, Their Majesties spoke with each player, giving warm words of encouragement. Photo: Their Majesties watch a game of target bird golf, a sport in which players try to hit a shuttlecock similar to that of badminton into a hole.

Rikugi-en, a garden built by a feudal lord in the Edo period (1603～1868), is one of the best locations to enjoy autumn foliage in Tokyo. The garden was lit up from November 22 to December 14. The trees with their vermillion and gold leaves presented a brilliant contrast with the blue sky during the day, and illuminated after dusk, were mirrored in the waters of the pond, enticing visitors into a wonderland of night.

A project team chaired by Vice Governor Inose and comprising members from various bureaus of the metropolitan government was formed from a “need to identify problems from the patients’ perspective” to bolster Tokyo’s perinatal care system. On December 5, the team made site inspections of facilities including the Tokyo Metropolitan Bokutoh Hospital, the Command and Control Center and the Emergency Telephone Consultation Center of the Tokyo Fire Department, and the Japanese Red Cross Medical Center. Vice Governor Inose said that the team will take multiple approaches in seeking to improve Tokyo’s perinatal care system. Photo: Vice Governor Inose receives an explanation on the emergency call system (at the Emergency Telephone Consultation Center).

On December 12, the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games Supporters Assembly was held at Yoyogi National Stadium to rally support for the 2016 Olympic Games. Governor Ishihara, along with Kosuke Kitajima and other Olympic medalists, gave speeches expressing their determination to bring the Olympics and Paralympics to Tokyo, raising the crowd’s anticipations toward the Olympics to a fever pitch. Photo: Attendees show solidarity in response to a rallying cry by Tomiaki Fukuda, chief of the Japanese delegation to the Beijing Olympics.