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)

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)

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)

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 10:00 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)

On February 25, “Tokyo Marathon 2018” was held. The event was held for the 12th time since the inaugural run in 2007. The marathon course underwent a major overhaul last year. The purpose of the revision was to “further appeal to people at home and abroad about how wonderful Tokyo is” and “remake the route into a fast-paced, record-breaking course.” The same new route was used again this year. Setting off from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, participants ran through Iidabashi, Kanda, Nihombashi, Asakusa Kaminari-Mon, Monzen-nakacho, Ginza, and Takanawa, among other landmark locations, and finished the race at the Gyoko-dori Avenue, against the backdrop of the Marunouchi Station Building of Tokyo Station.

(February 25, 2018)

On February 20, Governor Koike visited the Tokyo Metropolitan Mitaka Secondary School. The governor observed a class where students used tablet PCs to take a Web-based math test, create materials at home and give presentations in English, and enjoy online conversations with English instructors based in the Philippines.

(February 20, 2018)

Hanegi Park has about 650 plum trees (around 230 blooming in dark pink and 420 in white). About 60 varieties, including Yaekanko, Yaeyabai, Michishirube, Shirakaga, and Omoi-no-mama, can be seen at the park. The Plum Blossom Festival, held from early February through early March, is a signature spring event of Setagaya, and many visitors come from far to enjoy the plum blossoms.

(February 27, 2018)

On February 28, the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games announced the selection of the official mascots of the Tokyo 2020 Games. Governor Koike issued a statement saying, “With a little more than two years left until the Games begin, together with our adorable new Tokyo 2020 Games Mascots, I hope to continue creating momentum and excitement regarding the Tokyo 2020 Games among the people of Tokyo and those across the nation.”

(February 28, 2018)

　On March 10, the 28th Tokyo Metropolitan Peace Day Memorial Event was held at the 5th floor hall of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No. 1. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government enacted the Ordinance on Tokyo Metropolitan Peace Day in July 1990 and designated March 10 as Tokyo Metropolitan Peace Day. The aim of holding the event is not only to honor the memory of the victims of the Tokyo air raids, but also to affirm the meaning of peace and raise mindfulness of peace among the residents of Tokyo. This year, the memorial event had about 500 participants, including survivors and families of the victims of the bombings of Tokyo.

(March 10, 2018)

　From February 25 to March 25, the Yoshino Baigo Plum Festival was held at Ome City’s Ume-no Koen Park and other locations. Last year, the festival made a comeback after a three-year suspension. During the festival period, events such as hayashi festival music, a warrior procession, and Ome taiko drum performances took place. At the Sokuseiji Temple, visitors enjoyed seeing the hanging hina dolls and the seven-tiered hina doll set.

(March 13, 2018)

　On March 24, Governor Koike inspected the “Tokyo Sakura Tram.” In April last year, the Toden Arakawa Line was nicknamed the Tokyo Sakura Tram. In celebration of the one-year anniversary of the nickname, the Tokyo Sakura Tram Memorial Car, with interiors and windows decorated in the image of sakura cherry blossoms, ran until the end of April.

(March 24, 2018)

　On March 24, the Japan Meteorological Agency announced that the Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms were in full bloom in central Tokyo. The first blossoms of the sample tree located inside Yasukuni Shrine in Chiyoda-ku bloomed 10 days earlier than the average year and 9 days earlier than last year. At Shinjuku Central Park adjacent to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building, businessmen on their lunch breaks and children with their parents were enjoying the lovely contrast between the cherry blossoms in full-bloom and the clear blue sky.

(March 29, 2018)

　On April 5, in order to further advance energy conservation by households, an event to spread the use of LED lights was held in cooperation with a local electronic appliance store in a shopping street in Tokyo. At the event, the governor pledged to “make Tokyo a Smart City, an eco-friendly capital,” and introduced the LED exchange campaign launched last July. The governor handed out LED lights to Tokyo residents who had come to the store to exchange incandescent lamps for LED light bulbs, saying that this movement needs to be promoted through the cooperation of each household.

(April 5, 2018)

　　On April 13, the flowers of wasabi were at their best in Okutama. The Okutama Wasabi is an herb indigenous to Japan, which was a valuable crop presented to the Shogun family during the Edo period (1603-1868). All of it can be consumed in all sorts of ways. Not only can it be used as a condiment for sashimi, but its leaves and flowers can also be marinated, boiled, or deep-fried as tempura.

(April 13, 2018)

　On April 18, Governor Koike attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new school building at the Tokyo Vocational Ability Development School for the Disabled (Kodaira City). The governor gave an address, saying that, “We will operate this center with utmost consideration and warm support to the students in order to responsibly send them out into society.” After the ceremony, the governor observed the actual training conducted at the vocational center, including breadmaking and on-site training at a coffee shop.

(April 18, 2018)

　The Taka-no-ochaya (falcon teahouse) at Hama-rikyu Gardens was built in the Edo period (1603-1868) and was destroyed during WWII. On April 20, its restoration work was completed and opened to the general public. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has been working on restoration of the gardens since 2004. The pond wall, Matsu-no-ochaya (pine teahouse), and Tsubame-no-ochaya (swallow teahouse) have also been restored.

(April 19, 2018)

On May 6, Rugby World Cup 2019™, 500 Days to Go was held at the Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium. At a talk event held on the pitch, Governor Koike greeted participants, saying, “I want this to be a fabulous and memorable World Cup.” A countdown clock designed to look like the Rugby World Cup 2019 rugby ball was unveiled. It will count down the days until the matches and will be displayed at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building and various events.

(May 6, 2018)

In order to bring Paralympic sports and athletes’ charms and power into the mainstream, No Limits Special 2018 Marunouchi, Tokyo was held for two days on May 5 and 6. This event allowed visitors to experience first-hand all 22 sports to be held at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Governor Koike attended the Grand Finale on the 6th and introduced the various para-sports that she herself experienced. The governor made an appeal saying, “Let’s all work to make the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games a success!”

(May 6, 2018)

From May 8 to May 31, the Spring Rose Festa was held at the Jindai Botanical Gardens. The botanical gardens cultivate 5,200 rose bushes of around 400 varieties. Along with the Queen of Jindai, a rose named after the botanical gardens, there are large rose bushes that have been cultivated since the garden first opened and a collection of original strains of roses. This precious diversity of roses is a feast for the eyes.

(May 11, 2018)

The Sanja Festival, one of the great festivals of Edo, was held from May 17 to May 20 at Asakusa Shrine in Taito-ku. The shrine deity’s was transferred to a mikoshi (portable shrine) on the evening of the 17th, and then the spirit was transferred to the various mikoshi of neighborhood associations which paraded their respective areas. On the last day, the shrine’s main mikoshi was carried around town, entertaining large numbers of worshippers and tourists until the spirit was returned to the shrine.

(May 20, 2018)

Since fiscal 2017, The Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) has been implementing the “Flex Time Biz” campaign. This February, Keio Corporation launched the Keio Liner service, an all-seats-reserved express train service, to provide customers with a more comfortable transportation option. On June 5, Governor Koike took a Keio Liner train from Tsutsujigaoka Station to Shinjuku Station to experience the comfort of the ride. At Shinjuku Station, the governor observed various aspects of operations, including use of Keio Liner trains during the evening rush hour. Pointing out the link between the way we commute and work-style reform, the governor also commented, “To raise work productivity, we must continue fine-tuning details, including offering commuters the opportunity to recharge during their commute. Changing our approach to commuting and style of commuting will lead to a comfortable life for all.”

(June 5, 2018)

On June 6, a presentation of the lineup of events for Tandem Paris-Tokyo 2018 was held at the residence of the French ambassador to Japan. As part of the Tandem Paris-Tokyo 2018 cultural exchange project, a variety of cultural events will be held in Tokyo and Paris to promote the cultural appeal of both cities to the world, as well as to raise enthusiasm for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 from the aspect of culture. A furoshiki wrapping cloth themed art event was introduced as one of the programs that Tokyo will hold in Paris. Following the introduction, Governor Koike taught Ambassador Pic how to wrap using furoshiki and spoke about the positive aspects of the reusable cloths.

(June 6, 2018)

The Tsukiji Shishi Matsuri Festival, a major festival held once every three years by Namiyoke Inari Jinja Shrine located in Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, was held over five days starting June 6. This year’s festival marked the last time for the mikoshi portable shrine to be paraded through the Tsukiji Wholesale Market, which is slated for relocation in October. For this milestone year, a Shinto ritual in which the portable shrine is paraded on the water, called funatogyo, which has been absent from the festival over a century since the Meiji era, was brought back. After being carried through Tsukiji Market, the mikoshi portable shrine was loaded on to a barge, which then headed upstream on the Sumida River. The barge then turned around, passing under Kachidoki-bashi Bridge on its way to Hamarikyu Gardens, entertaining many worshippers and tourists.

(June 8, 2018)

Giant panda cub Xiang Xiang’s excellent growth was unveiled ahead of her first birthday on June 12, 2018. A variety of events to celebrate the cub’s birthday were held to entertain zoo-goers, including the sale of an Ueno Zoo official Xiang Xiang book and special limited-time menu items at food vendors in the zoo commemorating her first birthday starting June 12, as well as a hands-on exhibit showing visitors what it would be like to be Xiang Xiang’s mother Shin Shin at various stages of the cub’s growth on June 17.

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