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TOKYO ALBUM > Tokyo Photo News > Tokyo Photo News backnumbers > Tokyo Photo News 2008 > Tokyo Photo News July 2008
Governor Ishihara visits the Haneda Airport expansion project
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).
40th anniversary of return of the Ogasawara Islands
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.
Melons to boost town development
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.
Governor Ishihara cheers on the Beijing Olympics delegation
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.
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