On January 12, a 2020-day countdown event towards the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games took place at the plaza in front of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government buildings. The event fell on the same day as the annual "Coming-of-Age Day", a national holiday to celebrate new 20-year-olds. Around 700 new adults who have marked a new start　of their lives formed a giant "2020" together with the participants of the event.

(January 12, 2015)

　Since early December 2014, the approximately 150 black skipjack, striped bonito, and Pacific bluefin tuna at Tokyo Sea Life Park have been dying off. On January 26, no more black skipjack and striped bonito remained, while Pacific bluefin tuna dropped to just three. Possible causes include stress from vibrations made by remodeling construction work at the park, or the virus detected in the Pacific bluefin tuna, however, the deaths remain unknown as of February 1.

(January 23, 2015)

On January 27, a disaster preparedness drill for foreign residents was held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. This event has been held every year since 2006. This year, around 120 participants who live within Tokyo experienced first-aid training and a fire drill.
(January 27, 2015)

　 On January 28, Governor Masuzoe inspected the Tokyo Bay coast from Haneda to Hama-rikyu Gardens to assess the omotenashi (hospitality) for visitors from overseas. Accompanying him was British Ambassador to Japan Timothy Hitchens, who offered advice to the governor regarding Tokyo's omotenashi from the perspective of a foreign visitor. At the Hama-rikyu Gardens, the governor was given an explanation on the planned restoration work of the Enryo-kan Mansion guesthouse.

(January 28, 2015)

On February 3, the children of Sensoji Kindergarten gathered in front of the  Temple to throw beans for the traditional annual Setsubun event. The children with matching costumes shouted at the oni ( a kind of demon from Japanese folklore) and enjoyed themselves throwing beans at it.

(February 3, 2015.)

　On February 9, Governor Yoichi Masuzoe visited the village of Ogasawara on an inspection tour related to problems in the Ogasawara Islands - Izu Islands region with intrusion and illegal fishing by foreign fishing boats. After arriving on Chichijima Island, the Governor first visited Tokyo Metropolis’s fishing survey vessel Koyo. Afterward, he proceeded to Ogasawara Islands Branch Office to participate in a round-table conference, where he listened to the opinions and requests of fishing and tourism industry professionals and local residents.

(February 9, 2015.)

　From February 7 to March 1, the 38th Setagaya Ume Matsuri (Plum Festival) was held in Hanegi Park near Umegaoka Station on the Odakyu Odawara Line. The park’s ume plum groves bloomed in mid-February. The weekends featured additional events including haiku poetry workshops, matcha green tea service, and open-air tea ceremonies.

(February 16, 2015.)

　On February 26, Tokyo Governor Yoichi Masuzoe met with Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, on his first visit to Japan. Masuzoe and the Prince, who arrived at Haneda Airport, travelled together by boat from Haneda Airport Wharf. On-board, the Governor explained planned venues for the 2020 Toiyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. They arrived at Hama-rikyu Gardens where the two went on a walk and appreciated the Japanese-style landscaped garden, then partook in a traditional tea ceremony.

(February 26, 2015. )

　The host cities of the 2019 Rugby World Cup were determined at an executive board meeting on March 2 in Dublin, Ireland. Twelve cities in Japan, including Tokyo, will host the tournament. To celebrate, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Main Building No. 1 was illuminated each evening until March 13 in the three colors (blue, white, and green) of the Rugby World Cup logo.

(March 2, 2015)

　Demolition of the National Stadium has begun to make way for construction of the planned main venue for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. Demolition work will continue until September of this year, and the New National Stadium is scheduled to be completed in March 2019. The opening match and final match of the 2019 Rugby World Cup are also slated to be played in the New National Stadium.

(Photo taken March 25, 2015)

　Governor Masuzoe welcomed Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark to Tokyo on March 27. The governor, along with Mr.Takashima (the President of Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly and Chairman of the Special Committee for the Promotion of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games) and Mr.Nunomura (Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games COO), gave an explanation on the progress of venue construction and other preparations for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games to the royal couple from a boat.

(Photo taken March 27, 2015)

　Governor Masuzoe attended the opening ceremony for the Tokyo One-Stop Business Establishment Center on March 31 and toured the Center’s facilities. The Center is Japan’s first centralized location for carrying out the administrative procedures to establish a foreign capital company or business start-ups inTokyo. The commemorative photograph was taken at the Center’s entrance prior to its opening, with (from the left) Governor Masuzoe, Prime Minister Abe, Cabinetminister Ishiba, and Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Chairman Ishige.

(Photo taken March 31, 2015)

　The Edo Yoshiwara Oiran-dochu Procession was unveiled on April 12 during the Kannon-ura Ichiyo Sakura-matsuri Festival on the north side of Sensouji Temple inAsakusa. The oiran (geisha ), dressed in glamorous outfits weighing about 30 kilograms, paraded down Komatsubashi-dori Street in the distinctive traditional Yoshiwara gait known as soto-hachi- monji, where the feet trace the Japanese character for eight in each step.

(Photo taken April 12, 2015)

　The shidare (weeping) cherry blossoms at the RyushuinTemple in Akiruno reached their peak on April 12. The temple of the Rinzai school of Buddhism was established some 600 years ago and its grounds are replete with the flowers of azaleas, weeping forsythias, and rape blossoms. Because visitors can also enjoy the changing colors in autumn, the Ryushuin is commonly known as the “temple of flowers and autumn colors.”

(Photo taken April 16, 2015)

　The Grand Spring Festival was held at the Yakuouin Temple, Mt. Takao on April 19. Around 100 o-chigo children dressed in fancy attire marched down the approach road to the temple from the Juichi-chome chaya tea house in a lively parade.
*In the Shinto tradition, o-chigo is the name for valued young children who symbolize purity and innocence.

(Photo taken April 19, 2015)

　Governor Masuzoe returned to his office on April 30 , a month after undergoing therapy for the hip joint. On his first day back, he went around to greet city council members and gave a report on his return at a meeting with executive staff members.

(Photo taken April 30, 2015)

On May 1, a “capping ceremony” was held at Tokyo Metropolitan Hiroo Nursing School to mark students’ reaffirmation of their commitment to the nursing career. Seventy-three students received their nursing caps (a symbol of the nursing profession) and lit candles to commemorate their pledge to carry on the nursing spirit of Florence Nightingale. After the ceremony, the students began high-level technical nursing internships at real healthcare institutions.

(May 1, 2015)

Over 450 carp streamers (“koinobori”), big and small, swam through the sky for the Sumida Koinobori Fair held at Tokyo Metropolitan Higashi-Shirahige Park during the Golden Week. Many tourists came to the park to enjoy both the carp streamers and the view of Tokyo Skytree, which is visible from the park.

(May 1, 2015)

Kanda Masturi, one of the three major Edo festivals, was held from May 9 to May 15 at Kanda Myojin Shrine near Akihabara. On May 10, over 200 large and small mikoshi (portable shrines) paraded through various neighborhoods (this tradition is called miyairi, the entrance of the mikoshi into the shrine). This year’s festival marks the 400th year since Kanda Myojin Shrine moved to its present location, and the roadsides were packed with sightseers.

(May 10, 2015)

On May 26, the Japanese Emperor and Empress visited Tokyo Memorial Hall in Tokyo Metropolitan Yokoami Park to remember the war dead in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the end of the war. Led by Tokyo Governor Yoichi Masuzoe, the Emperor and Empress walked to the mausoleum, offered up white chrysanthemums, and bowed in thanks. Afterward, the Governor explained to them about the Tokyo air raids and the casualties memorialized at the Tokyo Memorial Hall.

(May 26, 2015)

　The Nippon Foundation Paralympic Support Center was established on June 2. A press conference was held to mark this event at the office of The Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic games in Toranomon(Minato Ward). The Support Center will conduct centralized support work to promote the Paralympic movement in preparation for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. Mr. Mori (President of the Organizing Committee) will serve as Supreme Adviser, Mr. Sasakawa (Chairman of Nippon Foundation) and Governor Masuzoe will serve as Special Advisers, and Mr. Torihara (Chairman of Japan Paralympic Committee) and Chairman Kawai (Paralympians Association of Japan) will serve as trustees.

(June 2, 2015)

　On June 13, the Tsukiji Shishi (Lion) Festival was held at Namiyoke Inari Shrine next to Central Wholesale Market. With the cooperation of the Market, mikoshi, portable shrines, were allowed to parade through the market grounds. This was the first and last time that the mikoshi would parade through the Tsukiji Market, which is scheduled to move to Toyosu next autumn. The festival was a bustling success, with larger crowds of shrine-carriers and spectators than a normal year.

(June 13, 2015)

On June 19, the “Street Tourist Guidance Program” program was begun, wherein volunteers reach out to tourists in foreign languages and offer sightseeing guidance. The team of volunteers was dubbed “OMOTENASHI TOKYO” by public suggestion. These volunteers wear eye-catching uniforms designed by a young designer and work in the vicinities of Shinjuku Station’s west exit and Ueno Station from 11 AM to 5 PM three times a week on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The plan moving forward is to gradually expand the program into other regions frequented by tourists from overseas.

(June 19, 2015)

On June 22, Tokyo Sea Life Park reintroduced around 80 Pacific bluefin tuna to its famous exhibit “Tuna: Voyagers of the Sea”. For the first time in three months, the fish in the exhibit were able to swarm in a school. Yellow tape was added to the tank to help prevent collisions. The tape is planned for removal after some additional observation of Pacific bluefin tuna swimming behavior. Learn more about the tuna at the Tokyo Sea Life Park website. http://www.tokyo-zoo.net/zoo/kasai/ (Japanese)

(June 22, 2015)

　On July 11, the annual Furin (Japanese wind chime) Festival was held at Nishiaraidaishi Temple in Adachi Ward. The road to the temple was lined with 500 different kinds of wind chimes from all over Japan, from Hokkaido in the north to Okinawa in the south. The festival was a lively event with large crowds of sightseers, many of whom came wearing colorful summer kimonos.

(July 11, 2015)

　On July 18, the Adachi summer fireworks festival took place. Held on the banks of the Arakawa River in Adachi Ward, it is the first fireworks festival of the season in Tokyo. As many as 12,000 fireworks were set off. Some of them were launched in time to music while others were fired in a 300-meter wide net to create what is called a ‘niagra’ effect. There were cheers and applause from the crowds in the viewing spaces on both sides of the river.

(July 18, 2015)

　Tokyo is aiming to introduce over 100 fuel-cell buses to the city by 2020. Ahead of a trial run from July 27-30, Governor Masuzoe took a test ride on one of the buses, July 24. Outside the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, the governor heard a presentation and inspected the external power supply and hydrogen filling port of a fuel-cell bus. The governor then took a ride on it around Nishi-Shinjuku for about ten minutes.

(July 24, 2015)

　On July 24, at Odaiba’s Symbol Promenade Park, a countdown event was held to mark exactly five years until the opening of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Five Olympic athletes demonstrated the “underhand pass,” a baton technique at which Japanese athletes have excelled in the 400m relay, and gave lessons on how to do it. At the end of the event, a photo session was held with the 200 children who participated.

(July 24, 2015)

On August 8, the 27th Tokyo Bay fireworks display, a popular annual event, was held at Harumi. This year around 13,000 fireworks were launched, lighting up the evening sky over Tokyo Bay.
Since the athletes' village for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games is due to be constructed in the Harumi area, this year was possibly the last chance to view the fireworks, which was one reason behind the large attendance of almost 700,000 visitors this year.

(August 8, 2015)

　On August 15, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of the war, memorial ceremonies were held in many places to pray for peace. At the Yokoamicho Park in Sumida Ward, around 2000 lanterns were lit and various commemorative events were held at the Memorial Hall in the park. Many tourists and local residents visited the site.

(August 15, 2015)

　On August 29, the 59th annual Koenji Awa Odori dance festival was held in the area around Koenji station. Around 150 dance groups, or 10,000 people in all, performed the dancing, and over 1,000,000 visitors came to watch. The competing groups had various different styles, with vigorous performances from male groups and elegant performances from female groups, making for a very lively event.

(August 29, 2015)

　On August 31, a kickoff event for the new manual, "Disaster Preparedness Tokyo," was held at the Citizen's Plaza, Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Governor Masuzoe appeared on stage along with pop idol group Momoiro Clover Z and the manual's mascot, Bosai the Rhino. Urging Tokyo citizens to be "world number one in disaster preparedness," all participants chanted the slogan, "Do now! Tokyo disaster preparedness!" which resounded around the plaza.

(August 31, 2015)

　On September 1, the Comprehensive Joint Disaster Management Drill 2015 was held by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) and Tachikawa City at locations across Tokyo. The drill was held based on the scenario of a strong magnitude 7.3 earthquake centered in the Tama area. At venues such as Showa Kinen Park and the surrounding area, Tokyo Metropolitan Kiba Park, and the Tokyo Lumber Terminal, practical drills were conducted to strengthen cooperation between the TMG, municipalities, and disaster management agencies, and to improve local disaster response capabilities based on the principles of self-help and mutual assistance.

(September 1, 2015)

On September 13, Ogochi Shrine, located in Okutama-machi, Nishiokutama-gun, held its annual festival.

Nine shrines formerly located in Ogochi Village, a town submerged when Ogochi Dam was constructed, were transferred and merged to form the Ogochi Shrine, which was built for this purpose. The ceremonial dances performed on the day of the festival, “Ogochi Hara no Shishimai” and “Kashima Odori,” are both designated as Tokyo Metropolitan Government Intangible Folk Cultural Properties and National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Properties.

(September 13, 2015)

　On September 20, the hands-on sports event Challenge Sports! TOKYO was held at Tokyo International Forum.

The event, which aimed to introduce many to the appeal of disabled sports, bustled with attendees, and featured areas where visitors could try their hand at boccia, goalball, wheelchair basketball, blind soccer, and other sports.

(September 20, 2015)

　On September 24, Governor Masuzoe visited Minato Ward Konan Elementary School and observed a lesson that used the Disaster Preparedness Tokyo manual. On this day, the children learned how to respond in the event a major earthquake strikes while they are at home, and each presented their thoughts on dangers inside the home and the actions required to protect themselves. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government compiled Disaster Preparedness Tokyo as a manual for use in everyday life with the aim of encouraging residents to fully prepare for a disaster such as a major earthquake directly hitting the capital. Delivery of the manual to every household in Tokyo started on September 1.

(September 24, 2015)

On October 3-4, the Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony was held for the 8th time at Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum at Koganei Park. This event is part of the Tokyo Traditional Arts Program and gives residents and overseas visitors a chance to experience the tea ceremony first-hand in a relaxed atmosphere. Various activities, including a traditional tea ceremony for beginners and outdoor tea ceremony held in English, were on offer, and many people from Japan and abroad attended.

(October 3, 2015)

On October 7, the “City Charge” service was launched. This is the first service of its kind in Japan and allows for smart phones and other devices to be recharged at stands powered by solar energy. The first stand has been erected at Tokyo Tower. The stands will offer a free-of-charge and convenient service for users, and will also be able to provide back-up power in emergencies. Further stands will be set up at Toranomon Hills and other locations, progressively expanding their availability.

(October 7, 2015)

On October 15, the 33rd war memorial ceremony was held on Iwoto Island, Ogasawara. The ceremony takes place every year to pay respect to those who died on the island (formerly Iwo Jima) in World War II, and to pray for peace. Tokyo Governor, Yoichi Masuzoe attended, marking the first time for a Tokyo governor to attend in 19 years. The governor gave an address at the cenotaph overlooking Mount Suribachi, where many died in the fierce battle.

(October 15, 2015)

As part of activities related to the Tokyo Brand campaign, “Halloweeen & Tokyo” took place on October 31. Districts around Tokyo distributed pumpkin-themed garbage bags and encouraged people to take their trash home with them, with the aim of making it the world’s cleanest Halloween. Afterwards, activities to clear up trash were organized with the cooperation of volunteer NPO group “Green Bird”.

(October 31, 2015)

　On November 5, a Tori-no-Ichi Fair was held at Sugamo Otori Shrine in Bunkyo Ward. Tori-no-Ichi fairs take place at shrines around the country every year in November. For these festivals, bamboo rakes or kumade - former farming implements - are transformed into beautifully decorated talismans which are thought to have the power to 'rake in' good luck. This year, fairs were held on the three Rooster Days in November (November 5, 17, and 29) and many people visited to seek out these lucky kumade talismans at Sugamo Otori Shrine.

November 5, 2015

　On November 19, Governor Masuzoe and China's Ambassador to Japan, Cheng Yonghua, visited the Ota Kinenkan dormitory in Kugayama, Suginami Ward. Ota Kinenkan was built by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government on land donated by Unosuke Ota, who had close links with China. Since taking in the first exchange students from Beijing in 1990, the dormitory has welcomed as many as 600 exchange students from cities around Asia, and this year celebrates its 25th year since opening.

November 19, 2015

　The Para Ekiden (Paralympic Relay Race) in Tokyo 2015 was held on November 29 at Komazawa Olympic Park in Setagaya Ward, hosted by the Nippon Foundation Paralympic Support Center. Runners both with and without impairments made up teams of eight, and ran the relay - in the first time for it to be held. One loop of the course was about 2.5 kilometers with each runner doing it once to make a total of 20 kilometers per team. There were participants from 11 prefectures, making up 19 teams, with ages ranging from teenagers to those in their 70's.

November 29, 2015

　　On November 30, Ueno Park, home to many cultural attractions including the Tokyo National Museum, the National Museum of Western Art, the National Science Museum and Ueno Zoo, was bathed in full fall colors. The zelkova, ginko, and other trees were at their peak, and many visitors had come to enjoy the colorful seasonal display.

November 30, 2015

　On December 22, an evening candlelight display was held at the Mikawashima Water Reclamation Center. A magical atmosphere was created by 3000 candles which lit up the pumping station of the Old Mikawashima Sewage Treatment Plant, which is a designated national important cultural asset.

December 22, 2015

　On December 22, 2015, an award ceremony was held at Tokyo Metropolitan Government, presenting Professor Satoshi Omura of Kitasato University with a Tokyo Medal of Honor. The award was created in 2004 and is presented to those who make a remarkable achievement, are highly respected by the people, bring hope, aspirations and vitality to society through their work, and contribute to raising Tokyo’s profile. Omura received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2015 in recognition of his discovery of a class of compounds used in drugs to treat infections caused by roundworm parasites.

December 22, 2015

　On December 25, trial emergency service operations began at JR Tokyo Station. There are around 1500 emergency call-outs to the Tokyo Station area each year. Until now, emergency personnel were dispatched from the nearest fire station and took an average of four minutes to arrive. The aim is to reduce the time to around one to two minutes by posting personnel on site at the station.

December 25, 2015

　On December 30, the outer market next to the world famous Tsukiji fish market was bustling with people carrying out year-end shopping. Tsukiji fish market is scheduled to be relocated on November 6, 2016, but the outer market will remain in its current location. This was the last time it was possible to experience the markets next to each other at the end-of -year period before they become separated.

December 30, 2015