Tokyo Photo News June 2010

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government, as one part of its road development works, is moving forward with railway track level-separation projects aimed at eliminating road congestion at crossings and integrating communities divided by the tracks. On May 16, 2010, construction was completed on elevating a section of northbound track on the Keihin Kyuko Main Line and Airport Line in the vicinity of Keikyu Kamata Station. Approximately six kilometers of the line have now been elevated. As a result, crossing wait times at 23 track crossings on the Daiichi Keihin and other roads are expected to be reduced by approximately 40 percent. Photo: Around Keikyu Kamata station on the Keihin Kyuko line.
(Photo taken on June 1, 2010.)

Since 2008, the Toei Arakawa Line in Tokyo and Hankai Tramway Company in Osaka have been making joint efforts in promoting ridership. Aiming to revitalize communities along their respective lines, a new joint promotional campaign started on June 6 has each line hosting a tram car painted in its partner's signature colors, a first for both companies. The Toei Arakawa line has one of its tram cars painted in the color of a Showa 40s era (1965 to 1974) Hankai tram, while the Hankai Tram features the color reminiscent of a Toei Arakawa streetcar of the Showa 20s to 50s era (1945 to 1984). The painted street car will be running along the Toei Arakawa line until about March 2011. Photo: Street car painted in the signature color of the Hankai Tram (on the right) at a train crossing near Kohshinzuka.
(Photo taken on June 17, 2010.)

On a mid June day not too long after the start of the rainy season, during a break in the seasonal drizzle, we paid a visit to the east side of Asukayama Park located in Kita ward. Here, on the side of a 350-meter pathway known as the Asuka no Komichi (Asuka Trail) which runs alongside the JR train tracks, 1,300 hydrangea made up of about 10 different varieties including Ajisai, Tama-Ajisai, Gaku-Ajisai, and Yama Ajisai were all in a beautiful full bloom. The view from the platform of Oji station is also quite magnificent. Photo: Asukayama Park.
(Photo taken on June 16, 2010.)

The Tokyo Conference of the International Carbon Action Partnership (ICAP), which aims to establish an international carbon trading market, was held at a Shinjuku hotel on June 15. Four hundred participants from 13 countries and regions, including Tokyo, took part in the conference. On behalf of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the conference's organizer, Governor Ishihara addressed the attendees, stating, "There is now little time left for us to take action toward preventing further environmental degradation of the planet. It would be a shame on our part if we don't strive to preserve the Earth now for future generations.