Tokyo Photo News October 2008

On October 28, Governor Ishihara visited Shinshuku Elementary School of Ota ward. Since FY2005, Tokyo has been working to grass the schoolyards of all public elementary and junior high schools in Tokyo, numbering about 2000, with scheduled completion by FY2016, the year Tokyo hopes to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games. As of the end of FY2007, lawns have been planted in 78 schoolyards. Surrounded by many children, Governor Ishihara also went barefoot to get a feel of the vivid green grass. Photo: Governor Ishihara enjoys walking barefoot on the grass.

From October 22 to 24, experts from 32 cities around the world gathered in Tokyo for the C40 Tokyo Conference on Climate Change. Serious impacts of global warming are already appearing throughout the world and urgent measures need to be taken worldwide to address the issue of climate change. At the conference, discussions were held on topics such as measures to reduce carbon dioxide emissions as well as measures to adapt to extreme weather, natural disasters, food shortages, and other consequences of climate change. An agreement was reached on 13 Joint Actions to be implemented by large cities, including the changing of citizen lifestyles. Photo: Joint press conference

Blessed with fine weather on October 4th’s “Walking Day,” families and groups of young people separated into six courses to walk the “Tama River 50 km,” a 50-kilometer path along the Tamagawa River where walking, running, and strolling can be enjoyed. Tama River 50 km stretches from Hamura City, near the Hamura intake weir, to the green riverside of Daishibashi Bridge in Ota ward. At the Gasubashi Bridge finish line, events took place such as a demonstration of the “Tokyo Exercise” and an Awa Odori dance performance by Ota ward office staff, enlivening the mood of the first Tamagawa Walking Festival. Photo: Participants walking near Marukobashi Bridge, Ota ward

With the number of Furikome (bank transfer) scams reaching a record high, on October 7 at the TMG building, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government announced the “Five-Party Furikome Scam Eradication Declaration” and held a ceremony to appoint the “PR Ambassador.” The five parties in the declaration are the TMG, the Metropolitan Police Department, the Tokyo Bankers’ Association, the Telecommunications Carriers Association, and the Japan Franchise Association. Beijing Olympics judo gold medalist Ayumi Tanimoto was appointed the PR ambassador and received her letter of designation by Governor Ishihara. Incidentally, Ms. Tanimoto’s forte is the ippon-zeoi (one arm shoulder throw). Photo: Ms. Tanimoto receiving her letter of designation from Governor Ishihara.