Tokyo Photo News January 2010

The third Kabuki-za theater opened its doors in 1925, but soon underwent restoration in 1950 due to damages suffered from air raids during the Pacific War. The fourth and current theater was registered as a national tangible cultural property in 2002, but a plan to rebuild the aging structure was presented in 2009. The theater will close this April to be reborn in three years as part of a complex that will also include a 150-meter tall office building.

The Tokyo Fire Department’s annual New Year Fire Review was held on January 6 at the Tokyo Big Sight. The performance simulated firefighting activities in the event of a large-scale earthquake, and the fire extinguishing and rescue exercises seemed almost real with mobilization of even the Department’s helicopters and boats. Members of the Edo Firemanship Preservation Association also performed acrobatic feats on ladders to the enthusiastic applause of the assembled crowd of spectators.

An 11-member campaign team, including the mayor of Oshima Town and Miss Oshima, paid a visit to Governor Shintaro Ishihara at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government on January 12 to promote the Izu Oshima Camellia Festival. Mayor Shizuo Fujii asked the governor to “attend this year’s festival by all means” and Miss Oshima, Kasumi Takano, presented him with a bouquet of camellias. A variety of events are taking place on the island during the festival, which runs until March 28.

On January 19 a drill was conducted around Ueno station simulating the evacuation of people stranded at the station in the event of a large-scale earthquake. If public transportation stops due to an earthquake, it is estimated that about 90,000 people will be stranded at the station. This drill was conducted with the aim of preventing any resulting confusion, and was held with the cooperation of businesses and schools around the station. On Ameyoko Street, local high school students also participated in the drill as stranded people evacuating to Ueno Park.