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TOKYO ALBUM > Tokyo Photo News > Tokyo Photo News backnumbers > Tokyo Photo News 2011 > Tokyo Photo News September 2011
Large-scale traffic restrictions implemented in disaster drill
Under a scenario of an earthquake directly hitting Tokyo, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) conducted a large-scale drill on September 1, Disaster Preparedness Day, which stopped traffic at approximately 100 locations along major streets in the capital. In response to the traffic congestion following the Great East Japan Earthquake, which made passage difficult for emergency vehicles, the MPD closed off roads into central Tokyo for around 10 minutes to ascertain whether any problems would arise.
Photo: The Ginza 4-chome intersection (September 1)
Celebrating 100 years
With Respect-for-the-Aged Day coming soon, Governor Ishihara visited the home of Ota Ward-resident Katsunori Kishida on September 7. After retiring from his position as a middle-school principal, Mr. Kishida became a calligraphy instructor, teaching at a university as well as to neighborhood children. Governor Ishihara presented him with a letter of congratulations and a Murayama Oshima silk hanten (a traditional short coat), and the two enjoyed a friendly discussion about calligraphy and Chinese poetry. There are 2,105 people in Tokyo who will be turning 100 years old this fiscal year, 130 more than last year.
Photo: Governor Ishihara with Mr. Katsunori Kishida (September 7)
The storehouses of Hinode Town, Tokyo
Hinode Town was struck by a major fire known as the "Okunoyake" in 1882, reducing most of the town to ashes, including its shrines and temples, but leaving the storehouses. This reawakened awareness of the fire-resistance of storehouses. Following this, the many farms that had grown wealthy from their work in forestry and sericulture began building storehouses as well. Currently, 157 storehouses lend color to the mountain-village landscape.
Photo: In Hinode Town (September 5)
Tokyo's bid for the 2020 Olympics
On September 13, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government held its "Tokyo Big Talk", a meeting to talk with Governor Ishihara. The meeting's theme was "Tokyo's Bid for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games". Participating on this day were Governor Ishihara and four athletes who have participated in the Olympic and Paralympic Games and other world competitions. With professional tennis player Shuzo Matsuoka doing an excellent job in conducting the proceedings as well, lively discussions were held at this meeting attended by some 460 Tokyo residents.
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