Skip to main content of this page
Main content starts here.
TOKYO ALBUM > Tokyo Photo News > Tokyo Photo News backnumbers > Tokyo Photo News 2008 > Tokyo Photo News September 2008
“TOKYO Exercise”unveiled!
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 congratulates a local centenarian
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.
Summit meeting of the three Keihin port cities
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.
Cosmos in full bloom brighten the cityscape
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.
Copyright 2006~ Tokyo Metropolitan Government. All Rights Reserved