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TOKYO ALBUM > Tokyo Photo News > Tokyo Photo News backnumbers > Tokyo Photo News 2018 > Tokyo Photo News January 2018
Governor attends the New Year’s Fire Review in 2018
On January 6, Governor Koike attended the annual New Year’s Fire Review held by the Tokyo Fire Department at the Tokyo Big Sight in Koto-ku. In her address at the ceremony, the governor referred to the outbreak of a forest fire in Okutama Town just a few days before, the frequent occurrence of torrential rain in recent years, and the possibility of a major earthquake directly striking the capital, and said, “In order to minimize losses from these disasters, we need to raise the ability of each person to help themselves (self-help) and that of neighbors to help each other (mutual support). The metropolitan government will continue to launch various initiatives, such as publication of a disaster readiness manual prepared from a female perspective and release of a disaster preparedness app, in order to enhance Tokyo residents’ awareness of the need for disaster preparedness and their ability to take action during disasters.”
(January 6, 2018)
Ome Daruma Market
On January 12, the Ome Daruma Market was held in Ome. The Daruma market is a winter tradition of the city of Ome dating back to around the 15th to 16th century. Initially, branches decorated with cocoon-shaped rice dumplings called “Mayudama” to wish for prosperity in sericulture were the main items sold there. But, beginning in the late Edo period (1603?1867), “Daruma dolls,” believed to be good luck charms, began to appear on the market. On the day of the Ome Daruma Market, the old Ome-kaido Avenue is temporarily closed off to car traffic, and many stalls, including ones that sell the Daruma dolls, are opened. The market was bustling not only with locals, but also visitors from afar.
(January 12, 2018)
The 63rd Izu Oshima Camellia Festival campaign team visits the governor
On January 15, Governor Koike received a visit by the campaign team of the “63rd Izu Oshima Camellia Festival.” The governor told them, “I think the Camellia Festival gives many people a reason to visit Oshima Island. Oshima is conveniently located in terms of distance. I hope it will be enlivened by camellias and tourism.” A bouquet and saplings of Japanese camellia were then presented to the governor by Miss Oshima Island and Miss Camellia Queen, respectively. During the period of the Camellia Festival, which runs from January 28 until March 25, various events will be held throughout Izu Oshima island.
(January 15, 2018)
Heavy snow in Tokyo
On January 22, snow started falling in central Tokyo from the morning, reaching its peak from early evening to night. Many commuters left work earlier than usual, walking briskly toward Shinjuku Station. As of 10時00分 p.m. that day, snowfall measured 23 centimeters in the heart of the capital. A wide area of the city was still covered with snow the following day with temperatures dropping below zero.
(January 22, 2018)
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