Tokyo Photo News December 2023

On December 12, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, in collaboration with Juntendo University, the University of Electro-Communications, and SoftBank, held a hands-on event for the AI sign language translation tool "Sure Talk," aiming to realize a borderless Tokyo where everyone can enjoy sports, in preparation for the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics. The event also featured conversations with deaf athletes.
*“Sure Talk,” an AI sign language translation tool, converts sign language and vocal speech into text in real time, allowing sign language users and voice users to communicate while looking at each other's faces.

On December 15, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations (JA ZEN-NOH) signed a partnership agreement for the wide-area use of phosphorus recovered from sewage in Tokyo to be used as fertilizer. This is an initiative to effectively utilize phosphorus obtained in the sewage treatment process as an agricultural fertilizer, and to contribute to the domestic production of fertilizers that would otherwise depend on imports, creating a more stable supply for farmers.

On December 15, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government held the first meeting of the Tokyo Children's DX 2025 Connected Childrearing Promotion Council, in which the national government, wards, municipalities, and organizations promoting DX in the childrearing field participated. The establishment of this council aims to start initiatives utilizing digital means to improve the quality of services in Tokyo, such as "push-type childrearing services" that deliver the information necessary for procedures to access childrearing services in a timely manner in advance, and expand them nationwide.

Governor Koike said in her address, "I would like to hear from people who are raising children and work with them to improve their conditions so that they can feel that it has become more convenient."

On December 31, the countdown event "HAPPY NEW YEAR TOKYO" was held to share the diverse charms of Tokyo and expectations for 2024 with participants. The event featured an illumination performance using projection mapping, as well as singer-songwriter Pico Taro and Sanrio characters.

At the finale of the event, there was a countdown to midnight when lanterns were set off carrying wishes for the future of Tokyo and the New Year.