Tokyo Photo News March 2012

20120301

Eagerly awaited plum blossoms finally bloom

A cold winter caused ume (Japanese plum) blossoms to bloom about a month later than usual across Japan. The round, plump buds appeared to pop open to reveal their white and pink petals. Patiently waiting through the severe winter, they heralded the long-awaited arrival of spring. At Kameido Shrine, the trees burst into full bloom in early March.

Photo: Plum blossoms at Kameido Shrine (March 12)

20120302

Ginza Runway open-air fashion show

Ginza Runway open-air fashion show On March 24, the Ginza Runway fashion show was held to promote the domestic denim industry. Denim fabric was laid out along 100 meters of Ginza's Chuo-dori Avenue, serving as a runway for more than 150 models to show off some 200 clothing designs created by fashion school students and popular brands. For the collection finale, children from Sendai City and Ginza's Chuo Ward took to the stage as models.

Photo: Models in denim creations strut their stuff on the runway (March 24)

20120303

All-night art event held in Roppongi

The third annual Roppongi Art Night ran through the entire night of March 24. The streets of Roppongi, serving as the stage for this special one-night event, were filled with an air of excitement as people were treated to displays of all kinds of art work including music, film, and live performances.

Photo: Avant-garde artist Yayoi Kusama appeared at the opening ceremony to read one of her poems in front of her creations (March 24)

20120304

Tokyo DMAT vehicle is a Japan first

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) unveiled its pioneering, specially designed Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) medical support vehicle at the Metropolitan Government Building on March 30. Based on lessons learned from the Great East Japan Earthquake, Tokyo DMAT vehicles are equipped with communications devices and camping equipment to support extended periods of medical activities during a major disaster. On this same day, vehicles were delivered to 10 DMAT designated hospitals within Tokyo. All 25 DMAT designated hospitals will receive a vehicle by the end of FY 2012.

Photo: Governor Ishihara receives an explanation about the vehicle's features (March 30)