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TOKYO ALBUM > Tokyo Photo News > Tokyo Photo News backnumbers > Tokyo Photo News 2008 > Tokyo Photo News March 2008
Governor Ishihara meets with former British Prime Minister Blair
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.
The Nippori-Toneri Liner starts operation
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.
Tokyo Wangan Police Station opens
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.
Ueno Park’s cherry blossoms in full view
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.
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