Tokyo Photo News November 2014

On November 6, Governor Masuzoe visited facilities and businesses in Tokyo’s Adachi ward. He first toured the construction being performed to elevate tracks in the vicinity of Takenotsuka Station on the Tobu Isesaki Line. Later, the Governor proceeded to the Toei (Tokyo-operated) Nippori-Toneri Liner’s rail yard, located in Toneri Park, where he received an explanation on improvements of the Liner’s transportation capacity and safety, followed by overall utilization of Toneri Park, which also serves as a disaster-prevention park. Of all parks established by the Tokyo Metropolis, 53 are designated “evacuation sites” and 26 are designated “activity sites” for emergency repair work.

November 6, 2014

On November 20, the 2014 Drill was held in and around Tokyo Metro Hibiya Station and Hibiya Park. Approximately 300 participants responded to a hypothetical emergency in the downtown Tokyo subway system, wherein a ruptured plastic bottle full of suspicious liquid caused sickness in several victims. Participating in the drill were the Metropolitan Police Department, Tokyo Fire Department, Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces, Tokyo Metro, Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation, Tokyo Disaster Medical Assistance Team (Tokyo DMAT), Chiyoda Ward, and the Japan Self Defense Force Tokyo Provincial Cooperation Office, while the staff of local businesses also participated as evacuees.

November 22 saw the grand re-opening of the Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum. After approximately three years under construction, the aging museum facilities have been renovated as well as restored to look similar to how the museum appeared around the time of its founding. In addition, the reconstructed museum building includes new White Cube exhibition spaces, a museum shop, and a caf?.

November 21, 2014

On November 21, Governor Masuzoe test drove a fuel cell vehicle in front of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office building. He drove the car, the world’s first commercially available fuel cell vehicle, for 10 minutes through the Nishi-Shinjuku area. Afterward, the Governor discussed his thoughts on promoting softer regulation on fuel cell vehicles to support the introduction of hydrogen-filling stations and finally achieving a “hydrogen society”.

November 21, 2014