No.3 Top 10 News of Inagi City in 2011

(Published in Inagi Newsletter January 15, 2012 issue)

Last year was filled with crises both domestic and international, including the great earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand, the Great East Japan Earthquake and typhoon damage, concerns over U.S. debt default, fears of the euro collapse due to European sovereign debt instability, an extremely strong yen, and massive flooding in Thailand. On the other hand, there were also bright topics such as the remarkable achievements of "Nadeshiko Japan." These were significant events for Inagi City, so let us look back on the year.

1. From immediately after the Great East Japan Earthquake, the city independently began rescue and water supply activities to Soma City, Fukushima Prefecture. These initial response activities were highly evaluated, and the Inagi City Fire Department received the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Award.
2. Due to the impact of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, attention was focused on radiation levels within the city. The city independently began measuring and publicly disclosing ambient radiation levels at 38 locations and radiation levels in school lunch ingredients. To address the concerns of parents or guardians, bringing packed lunches was also permitted for those who wished.
3. The 40th anniversary of the enforcement of the city system was commemorated with various projects. These included a preview screening of the movie "THE LEGACY OF THE SUN," a lecture by the original author Jiro Asada, the sale of commemorative framed stamps, and the issuance of commemorative Certificates of Residence.
4. "Inagi Nashinosuke" was born. The image character of Inagi City was created by Kunio Okawara, a mechanical designer known for works such as Mobile Suit Gundam and a resident of the city, along with multi-creator Jet Inoue. A clock tower modeled after "Inagi Nashinosuke" was donated by the International Soroptimist Club of Inagi.
5. Marking the 20th anniversary of the Sister City partnership with Ozora Town, Hokkaido (formerly Memanbetsu Town). Exchanges took place at both the Memanbetsu Tourism Summer Festival and the I-no-Machi Inagi Citizen Festival.
6. Opening of Nakajima Yushi Nursery School. This is the first project involving the privatization of a public nursery school. Along with the expansion and renovation of Koyodai Nursery School and the rebuilding of Hirao Nursery School, the capacity was increased to eliminate the waiting list for children.
7. The JR Nambu Line continuous grade separation project has been partially completed. The elevation of the down line toward Tachikawa was completed on December 24, 2011.
8. Tama Route 3-3-7 opened to traffic. Along with the progress of the Land Readjustment Project around Minami-Tama Station, a new road connecting Koremasa Bridge to Kawasaki Kaido was completed. On April 26, 2011, two of the four lanes were provisionally opened.
9. Held a "Gathering to Celebrate the World Cup Victory with Citizens." Members of "Nadeshiko Japan," who won the Women's Soccer World Cup, including Iwashimizu and Iwabuchi from Nippon TV Beleza, visited the Central Community Center Hall on August 11, 2011, where about 390 citizens, mainly young soccer players, celebrated the victory.
10. On April 24, 2011, city council member and mayoral elections were held. In the city council election, 22 people including 8 newcomers were elected, and a new mayor was born for the first time in 20 years.

The top 10 news for Inagi City last year are as above, but this year, as we pray for recovery from the misfortune of the Great East Japan Earthquake, it is also the Year of the Dragon, hoping for an economic upturn due to special demand.