Tokyo Photo News December 2012

After winning the gubernatorial election, receiving a record 4.34 million votes, Governor Inose arrived at the TMG Building on December 18 for his first day in office. Standing before metropolitan government staff, the governor requested their cooperation saying, "I will accomplish everything that I possibly can. I ask that you work hard with me over the next four years", showing strong enthusiasm for leading the metropolitan government.

Photo: Governor Inose receives a bouquet from a metropolitan government staff member at the entrance to the TMG Building

An end of the year tradition, the Hagoita Market, a seasonal market that sells decorative battledores, was held at Sensoji Temple in Taito Ward for three days beginning December 17. With around 50 stalls standing side by side, the market was bustling with customers eager to purchase the colorful hagoita, which featured designs including ukiyoe prints and famous scenes from Kabuki plays. There were also shops that displayed untraditional hagoitas with designs that reflected the trends of the year, including Tokyo Sky Tree.

Photo: As a sale is made, the sound of an energetic round of tejime, Japanese ceremonial hand clapping, is heard (December 19, 2012)

On December 22, Tokyo held a Christmas event at Xebio Arena Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture under the theme "Let's invigorate Japan through the power of sports!" Governor Inose also attended the event. Children from three prefectures, Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima, participated, enjoying demonstrations of fencing and boxing by Olympic athletes, games of oodama watashi (a game that features players passing a giant, oversized ball) and tamaire (a game where small, bean-bag-like balls are thrown into baskets) played with athletes dressed as Santa Claus, and an exciting raffle drawing.

Photo: Governor Inose with a group of children wearing t-shirts awarded as prizes in the raffle drawing

On December 27, Tokyo held a rally for residents in support of its bid to host the 2020 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. Petitions supporting the bid signed by over 1.4 million people from all over the country were piled on to the stage. Governor Inose greeted the crowd saying, "With everyone's intense enthusiasm, I believe that we are going to achieve our goal!" Together with London Olympic and Paralympic medalists, as well as with those in attendance at the event, the governor made a powerful appeal for the bid, exclaiming, "Let's go for it!"

Photo: The group shows their spirit