At the Tsukiji Market's customary first auction of the New Year, a 269-kilogram tuna from Oma, Aomori Prefecture was sold for a record high price of 56.49 million yen. It was purchased by a company operating a chain of sushi restaurants centering in the local Tsukiji area. The previous highest auction price for a single tuna was set last year at 32.49 million yen.
Photo: In front of one of the winning company's establishments, water is brushed on the tuna to prevent it from drying. (January 5)

Decontamination work was performed using an excavator to remove the surface soil of fields in the Onami area of Fukushima City. Vice Governor Inose paid a visit to the site and was briefed by an employee sent from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to support the local decontamination efforts.
(Photo taken on January 16)

There are a number of hills in Tokyo named Fujimizaka, literally "hill with a view of Mt. Fuji," but the construction of tall buildings has made it increasingly difficult to actually see Mt. Fuji from these slopes. Fujimizaka in Nippori is said to be the only hill of the name in central Tokyo from where people can still see Mt. Fuji. Many spectators gathered here on this day for a glimpse of the sun setting near the mountain's peak, which creates a sparkling phenomenon known as "Diamond Fuji."
Photo: Spectators crowd the slope to see "Diamond Fuji." (January 30)

As an event to promote tourism, the Izu Oshima Camellia Festival is held in Oshima Town when the island's beautiful flower is in bloom. As it does each year, the event's promotional delegation visited the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to pay a courtesy call. Lead by the mayor of Oshima Town, the delegation, including Miss Oshima, presented camellias to Vice Governor Sato. A number of events are held throughout the island during the event period from January 29 to March 18.
Photo: Vice Governor Sato with Miss Oshima, Miss Camellia Queen, and the Camellia Queens. (January 13)

In the immediate aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake large numbers of stranded commuters added to the confusion of the situation. As a result, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, in cooperation with Chiyoda, Shinjuku and Toshima Wards, conducted drills for stranded commuters in and around three terminal stations in the metropolis in an effort to have people understand the importance of not moving about without reason. Approximately 10,000 people participated in the drill.
Photo: Participants receive relief supplies from a drill organizer. (JR Shinjuku Station, February 3)

A sports festival commemorating the completion of the Tokyo Gate Bridge was held on February 4 and 5 in advance of its February 12 grand opening. The general public was able to enjoy three sporting activities at the event including running and cycling. The morning of February 4 saw good weather and 5,000 runners were treated to amazing views of Mt. Fuji and the Tokyo Sky Tree from the bridge deck as they ran along an 8-kilometer round-trip course.
Photo: Tokyo Gate Bridge crowded with runners (February 4)

The Tokyo 2020 Bid Committee held a press conference at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building on February 16, releasing the application file submitted to the International Olympic Committee (IOC). After opening remarks by Governor Shintaro Ishihara, Tokyo 2020 Bid Committee Vice President and CEO Masato Mizuno spoke about Tokyo’s motivation for hosting the games. This was then followed by a question and answer session.
Photo: Photo session with participants (February 16)

On February 26, 36,000 runners set off from in front of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building on a course winding through the heart of Tokyo. 105 high school students from the disaster-stricken Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima prefectures were invited to run a 10-kilometer course that ended at Hibiya Park. In addition, 63 government employees, one from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and one from each municipality within Tokyo, participated in the race dressed up as Yurito, the Sports Festival Tokyo 2013 mascot.
Photo: Runners starting out in front of the TMG Building (February 26)

A cold winter caused ume (Japanese plum) blossoms to bloom about a month later than usual across Japan. The round, plump buds appeared to pop open to reveal their white and pink petals. Patiently waiting through the severe winter, they heralded the long-awaited arrival of spring. At Kameido Shrine, the trees burst into full bloom in early March.

Photo: Plum blossoms at Kameido Shrine (March 12)

Ginza Runway open-air fashion show On March 24, the Ginza Runway fashion show was held to promote the domestic denim industry. Denim fabric was laid out along 100 meters of Ginza's Chuo-dori Avenue, serving as a runway for more than 150 models to show off some 200 clothing designs created by fashion school students and popular brands. For the collection finale, children from Sendai City and Ginza's Chuo Ward took to the stage as models.

Photo: Models in denim creations strut their stuff on the runway (March 24)

The third annual Roppongi Art Night ran through the entire night of March 24. The streets of Roppongi, serving as the stage for this special one-night event, were filled with an air of excitement as people were treated to displays of all kinds of art work including music, film, and live performances.

Photo: Avant-garde artist Yayoi Kusama appeared at the opening ceremony to read one of her poems in front of her creations (March 24)

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) unveiled its pioneering, specially designed Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) medical support vehicle at the Metropolitan Government Building on March 30. Based on lessons learned from the Great East Japan Earthquake, Tokyo DMAT vehicles are equipped with communications devices and camping equipment to support extended periods of medical activities during a major disaster. On this same day, vehicles were delivered to 10 DMAT designated hospitals within Tokyo. All 25 DMAT designated hospitals will receive a vehicle by the end of FY 2012.

Photo: Governor Ishihara receives an explanation about the vehicle's features (March 30)

Two open-air cafes began operations in the newly completed Takenodai Plaza section of Ueno Park on April 18. Based on the Basic Plan for the Revitalization of Ueno Park, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has been upgrading this area since fiscal 2009 to serve as the focal point in the park's role as a Bunka-no-Mori (cultural forest). After savoring the atmosphere of the park, why not relax at one of these cafes?

Photo: Visitors relaxing at the cafe under the new green leaves of spring (April 25)

Tokyo Gate Bridge, which has become a new Tokyo landmark since opening in February, is now illuminated at night. The bridge trusses are fitted with low-energy lighting that bathes them in white light; the 886 light-emitting diode lamps placed along the deck are now green but will change color according to the season.

Photo: Tokyo Gate Bridge as viewed from Wakasu Kaihin Koen Park (April 25)

On April 26, a commemorative event was held at the newly opened Shibuya Hikarie shopping/ entertainment/ business complex to mark 500 days until the selection of the host city for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Facility visitors were provided with cherry blossom petal?shaped paper to write messages about the Olympics, which were then posted on the back panel of a stage. Five former Olympians were then brought on stage where they spoke passionately about their Olympic experiences.

Photo: From left: Ai Shibata (swimming), Junichi Miyashita (swimming), Mikako Kotani (synchronized swimming), Kana Oyama (volleyball) and Ikue Teshigawara (short-track speed skating) (April 26)

On April 30, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Sumida Ward jointly hosted a large-scale counterterrorism drill at Tokyo Skytree Town in preparation for its May 22 opening. The drill was based on a scenario of toxic chemicals being released on the tower's observation deck (350 meters above ground). About 2,000 people participated in the drill, including local residents and members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, the Metropolitan Police Department, and the Tokyo Fire Department .

Photo: Counterterrorism drill on the Tokyo Skytree observation deck (April 25)

As part of efforts for a modern-day revival of the vibrance of the Sumidagawa River in the Edo period, the Tokyo Hotaru Festival was held between Kototoibashi Bridge and Azumabashi Bridge along the river. Approximately 100,000 solar-powered Inoriboshi light-emitting diodes (LEDs) representing hotaru (fireflies) were released on to the river. Along with the reflection of Tokyo Skytree's illumination, the water's surface was bathed in blue light.

Photo: The lights as viewed from Sumida Park (May 6)

On May 21, an annular solar eclipse was visible from Tokyo for the first time in 173 years. Many spectators gathered on Azumabashi Bridge in Taito Ward from the early morning hours to view the eclipse alongside Tokyo Skytree, which was scheduled to open for business the following day. Although the weather was not clear, the clouds briefly parted to give those who had gathered a glimpse of the five-minute long heavenly show.

Photo: Viewing the annular solar eclipse near Azumabashi Bridge (May 21)

The Kanto Governors Association (made up of governors from the seven Kanto prefectures and Shizuoka, Nagano, and Yamanashi prefectures) held its regular meeting at a hotel in the village of Kitashiobara, Fukushima Prefecture on May 23. The governors adopted a resolution stating that Japan's recovery will not be complete without Fukushima's recovery, pledging to cooperate in providing strong support to the disaster-stricken areas. After the meeting, the participants visited Tsurugajyo Castle in Aizu-Wakamatsu where a group photograph was taken. Fukushima Governor Yuhei Sato, who welcomed the 10 governors, expressed his thanks, remarking that "the resolution will provide tremendous support to the people of Fukushima and give them strength."

Photo: Governor Ishihara (front row, sixth from the left) and Fukushima Governor Yuhei Sato, to his right, with other Kanto Region governors (May 23)

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Bid Committee unveiled its Candidate City emblem on May 29, following Tokyo's selection at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board meeting as one of three candidate cities for the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics. Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) President Tsunekazu Takeda and Vice President Masato Mizuno attended the press conference joined by four young, next-generation athletes aiming for the 2020 Games, who spoke about their aspirations.

Photo: JOC President Tsunekazu Takeda (right), JOC Vice President Masato Mizuno (left) and four young athletes (May 29)

A "forest cemetery," with trees like dogwood and magnolia for gravestones, was completed at Kodaira Reien cemetery. The first of its kind in a cemetery operated by the metropolitan government, applications will be accepted from July 1 for an initial 500 burials. Twenty-seven large burial chambers have been prepared as the final resting place for the cremated remains of the deceased. The remains will be wrapped in biodegradable bags and covered with soil to return to nature in about 30 years.

Photo: The "forest cemetery" at Kodaira Reien (June 18)

The wall separating the Toei and Tokyo Metro subway platforms at Kudanshita Station is in the process of being removed to make transfers more convenient. The removal of the 90-meter wall by March 2013 will allow a quick transfer between the two lines in just five seconds, compared with the five minutes currently needed for passing through the ticket gates.

Photo: Part of the wall removed to connect subway platforms at Kudanshita Station (June 21)

The annual iris festival at Kitayama Park in Higashimurayama City was held from June 9 to 24. The blooms of 100,000 irises of 170 varieties covering the park were enjoyed by many people on the day this photo was taken despite occasional bursts of heavy rain due to an approaching typhoon.

Photo: Kitayama Park, Higashimurayama City (June 19)

The area around Kandagawa River and Zenpukujigawa River is equipped with a water storage system for temporary detention of stormwater run off from torrential downpours. The 8.5-meter diameter, 2.2-kilometer long pipe can store about 120,000 cubic meters of water, equivalent to about 400 25-meter pools.

Photo: Inside the Wada-Yayoi Trunk Sewer (June 8)

On July 6, Ishigaki City Mayor Yoshitaka Nakayama paid a courtesy call on Governor Ishihara and presented him with books including Senkaku kenkyu (Studies on Senkaku). The book contains data from five biological surveys conducted by former University of the Ryukyus President Tetsuo Takara on the Senkaku islands through the 1950s and 1960s.

Photo: Ishigaki Mayor Nakayama presents the book to Governor Ishihara (July 6)

Following in the footsteps of the morning glory market held at Iriya Kishimojin temple, on July 9 and 10 the hozuki (Chinese lantern plant) market was held on the Sensoji temple grounds. Morning glories and Chinese lantern plants are refreshing sights offering a cool respite from the summer heat. Visitors purchasing the plants also enjoy animated conversation with the vendors. This year, all of the some 220 stalls at the market switched over to LED (light-emitting diode) lighting to save energy.

Photo: Visitors looking to buy hozuki (July 10)

Candles in paper lanterns were artfully arranged at Odaiba Marine Park to create geoglyphs for the annual Marine Lantern Festival held in celebration of Marine Day. Showing support for efforts to bring the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games to Tokyo, this year the Tokyo 2020 bid logo and depictions of ancient Olympic Games events lit up the nighttime beach.

Photo: Taken July 15

This year marked the 35th time for Tokyo's summer tradition, the Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival, to be held. There were more spectators than usual this year, perhaps because this was the first year that people could enjoy a lit-up Tokyo Sky Tree together with the fireworks. The river was dotted with many yakatabune pleasure boats carrying passengers who were enchanted by the 20,000 fireworks blazing in the night sky above.

Photo: Taken from Kuramaebashi Bridge (July 28)

In an open lot of the Toei Murayama metropolitan housing complex in Musashimurayama City, some 100,000 large sunflowers have blossomed, to the delight of those passing by. This plot of land was left vacant when the metropolitan apartments located here were reconstructed. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Musashimurayama City agreed to open this area temporarily to the public as a sunflower field called Musashimurayama Sunflower Garden, until more long-term plans are decided.

Photo:Taken August 7

The Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre, which first opened in 1990, underwent a year and a half of large scale renovation work and reopened on September 1. In addition to replacing the old air conditioning system and stage equipment, acoustics and lighting were changed, and the seating renewed. As a creative platform to present Tokyo's music and performing arts to the rest of Japan and the world, a variety of performances are scheduled to be held.

Photo:The refurbished concert hall (large hall) (August 9)

A parade was held on August 20 down Ginza's main avenue to celebrate the return of medalists from the London Olympics. A total of 38 medals were captured at this time's Games, the most ever for Japan in a single Olympics. Under a hot summer sun, the 71 athletes paraded down the 1-kilometer course in five open-top buses and two convertibles, cheered on by some 500,000 enthusiastic supporters packing the streets.

Photo: The parade passes through Ginza 4-chome intersection (August 20)

The Kitasuna Little League Baseball Association won the 66th Little League Baseball World Series, which was held this August in the United States with the participation of 16 teams. This was the first time for this team to win in 11 years. The players visited the Metropolitan Government Office to report their victory to Governor Ishihara. The governor thanked them for providing dreams and inspiration to the residents of Tokyo and presented them with the Tokyo Sport Encouragement Award.

Photo: Taken August 31

On September 1, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government held its annual joint disaster management drill with Meguro Ward. The drill was based on a scenario of a very strong earthquake occurring in the northern part of Tokyo Bay, and focused on measures to address issues such as the collapse of houses and spread of fire in areas with close-set wooden houses, large numbers of evacuees or people unable to return home, and the occurrence of tsunami. Local residents participated in rescue and firefighting drills. In the waterfront area, Japan Self-Defense Force drills, drills to transport stranded people by water buses or pleasure boats, and drills to close floodgates were carried out.

Photo: Drill to transport stranded people by pleasure boat (disaster relief wharf in Akashi-cho, September 1)

Development of the Tokyo Outer Loop Road (Gaikan) is underway by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. On September 5, construction began on a 16.2-kilometer section, which will link the Kanetsu Expressway, Chuo Expressway and Tomei Expressway. The some 34 kilometers between Oizumi Junction and Misato-minami Interchange is already open to traffic. Completion is scheduled for 2020 with the aim of relieving traffic congestion in Tokyo.

Photo: Governor Ishihara participating in the groundbreaking ceremony at the site for the Tomei Expressway junction in Okura, Setagaya Ward

As the host city for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be decided next year on September 7, an event was held at the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry hall in Chiyoda Ward on September 7, exactly one year before the decision. Following speeches by Governor Ishihara and Tsunekazu Takeda, president of the Tokyo 2020 Bid Committee, the countdown clock was unveiled.

Photo: Countdown clock unveiling ceremony

On September 29, The National Urban Greenery Fair Tokyo: Tokyo Green 2012 opened under the theme of "A green wind rushing through Tokyo." Various gardening techniques, creative displays by artists and gardeners, and other events will be held at the main fair grounds located in six parks and gardens in Tokyo. The fair will be held for 30 days from September 29 to October 28. For details, visit the official website at http://greeneryfair-tokyo.jp/en/.

Photo: One of the main fair grounds is the Takenodai area of Ueno Park

On October 6, an event was held at Umi-no-Mori (Sea Forest) to build momentum for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic bid and to commemorate the achievement of the 800 million yen goal of the Green Tokyo Fundraising Campaign. Three medalists from the 2012 London Olympics and architect Tadao Ando were among the guests who planted seedlings alongside Tokyo citizens.

Photo: Tree planting ceremony at Umi-no-Mori (October 6)

The preservation and restoration of JR Tokyo Station’s Marunouchi station building was completed on October 1. Much of the original 1914 red brick station building suffered extensive damage from the Great Tokyo Air Raid of World War II. Work began in 2007 to restore the facade to its original form. Every day many people come to have a look at the renovated station.

Photo: People pick up their brushes to capture Tokyo Station (October 10)

On October 23 and 24 the Kanto Governors Association, made up of governors from the seven Kanto prefectures and the neighboring Shizuoka, Nagano, and Yamanashi prefectures held a meeting in Fukushima Prefecture. After the meeting, the governors visited Koriyama City to observe tests carried out on each and every bag of Fukushima rice. There, the governors received an explanation of the testing process and were able to confirm the safety and reliability of Fukushima rice. The Fukushima governor presented each governor with a bag of Fukushima rice.

Photo: Taken October 23

On October 31, Governor Shintaro Ishihara resigned from his post and left the Tokyo Metropolitan Government office. On this day, as the Tokyo Fire Department band performed the theme from Rocky, some 1,000 metropolitan government staff members sent off the governor with applause as he left his office of thirteen-and-a-half years, holding aloft the bouquet of flowers they had presented to him.

Photo: Taken October 31

　As part of a week-long series of events to mark 300 days until the election of the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics host city, Koji Murofushi and five other Olympians and Paralympians polished the Olympic cauldron at the National Stadium together with elementary and middle school children (including those from areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake). The cauldron, used in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, was lit in the hopes that the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be awarded to Tokyo.

Photo:Olympian Koji Murofushi polishing the Olympic cauldron in the rain (November 9)

　The Asakusabashi wholesale district is known for its long-established doll sellers. The 100 or so wholesale shops lining Edo-dori Ave. sell accessories, decorations and other goods. Christmas articles such as Christmas lights and trees are sold in the stores until Christmas, giving way to kadomatsu pines, hagoita battledores, Japanese kites and the other New Year goods in preparation for the coming year.

Photo:Getting ready for Christmas (November 13)

The some 200 Japanese Maples of Tonogayato Gardens, a two-minute walk from JR Kokubunji Station, reached their peak fall colors. Around 1,000 people visited the gardens each day, beckoned by the beautiful crimson leaves. There are also inviting walking courses and rest spots within the park.

Photo:Taken November 22

An event where spectators were able to experience the thrill of an up-close view of athletes performing in sports that are usually not held outside the arena, including the50-meter dash, the pole vault, taekwondo, judo, fencing, trampoline, kabaddi and goalball, was held on the grounds of Sensoji Temple in Asakusa.

Photo:Pole vaulter Daichi Sawano (November 24)

　After winning the gubernatorial election, receiving a record 4.34 million votes, Governor Inose arrived at the TMG Building on December 18 for his first day in office. Standing before metropolitan government staff, the governor requested their cooperation saying, "I will accomplish everything that I possibly can. I ask that you work hard with me over the next four years", showing strong enthusiasm for leading the metropolitan government.

Photo: Governor Inose receives a bouquet from a metropolitan government staff member at the entrance to the TMG Building

　An end of the year tradition, the Hagoita Market, a seasonal market that sells decorative battledores, was held at Sensoji Temple in Taito Ward for three days beginning December 17. With around 50 stalls standing side by side, the market was bustling with customers eager to purchase the colorful hagoita, which featured designs including ukiyoe prints and famous scenes from Kabuki plays. There were also shops that displayed untraditional hagoitas with designs that reflected the trends of the year, including Tokyo Sky Tree.

Photo: As a sale is made, the sound of an energetic round of tejime, Japanese ceremonial hand clapping, is heard (December 19, 2012)

On December 22, Tokyo held a Christmas event at Xebio Arena Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture under the theme "Let's invigorate Japan through the power of sports!" Governor Inose also attended the event. Children from three prefectures, Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima, participated, enjoying demonstrations of fencing and boxing by Olympic athletes, games of oodama watashi (a game that features players passing a giant, oversized ball) and tamaire (a game where small, bean-bag-like balls are thrown into baskets) played with athletes dressed as Santa Claus, and an exciting raffle drawing.

Photo: Governor Inose with a group of children wearing t-shirts awarded as prizes in the raffle drawing

On December 27, Tokyo held a rally for residents in support of its bid to host the 2020 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. Petitions supporting the bid signed by over 1.4 million people from all over the country were piled on to the stage. Governor Inose greeted the crowd saying, "With everyone's intense enthusiasm, I believe that we are going to achieve our goal!" Together with London Olympic and Paralympic medalists, as well as with those in attendance at the event, the governor made a powerful appeal for the bid, exclaiming, "Let's go for it!"

Photo: The group shows their spirit