No.167 2025 Inagi City Top 10 News

Global Trends

Looking back at overseas events in 2025, it marked the third year since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and although a ceasefire was agreed upon in October through U.S. mediation in the conflict between Israel and the Islamist organization Hamas, which had lasted for two years, there is still no clear prospect for resolution in either region.

In the United States, the inauguration ceremony was held in Washington in January, and Donald Trump began his second term as the 47th president. He quickly issued a large number of executive orders, including re-withdrawing from the Paris Agreement and leaving the WHO. In April, he announced the imposition of additional tariff rates on top of the existing uniform 10% tariff under the name of "reciprocal tariffs," based on the non-tariff barriers of the counterpart countries, causing major confusion worldwide. On the other hand, he actively worked to stop conflicts around the world.

In South Korea, regarding the declaration of martial law in December 2024, incumbent President Yoon Suk-yeol was arrested in January, and in the presidential election held in June, former leader Lee Jae-myung of the left-leaning Democratic Party was elected. There were concerns that Japan-South Korea relations would cool again, but so far, with a forward-looking policy, no new friction seems to have occurred.

In Taiwan, a recall referendum targeting 24 Kuomintang legislators, the largest opposition party, was held in July but all were unsuccessful, dealing a blow to the Lai Ching-te administration.

Trends in Japan

Next, looking back at domestic events, in January a major road collapse occurred on a prefectural road in Yashio City, Saitama Prefecture, due to the collapse of a sewer pipe, once again reaffirming the importance of infrastructure maintenance.

In February, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries decided to release government stockpiled rice as a solution to the rice shortage and price surge continuing since 2025. Initially, it was a general competitive Bid targeting major collection companies, but since it took time to supply the market, Minister of Agriculture Koizumi, who took office in May, changed it to discretionary contracts with small and medium-sized businesses. Although it was covered as major news every day, the effect was temporary and did not necessarily lead to a permanent price reduction. Policies that fundamentally solve the issues of income security for rice farmers and production adjustment in line with demand are eagerly awaited.

In the forest fire that occurred in February in Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture, the Inagi City Fire Department also dispatched a total of 16 personnel from the first to the third dispatch teams, but it became a large fire that took about 40 days to extinguish. This dispatch served as a lesson for our city, which also has vast forests.

The Osaka-Kansai Expo opened in April and was a huge success, attracting 25 million general visitors by its closing in October.

The July House of Councillors election resulted in the ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito losing their majority, turning both houses into minority opposition and causing political turmoil. In September, Prime Minister Ishiba took responsibility and announced his resignation. In October, Sanae Takaichi won the LDP presidential election and was elected as the first female prime minister in constitutional history by both houses. Komeito withdrew from the coalition government, and a new coalition government with the Japan Innovation Party was formed. The phrase "Work, work..." was selected as the new buzzword of the year. Backed by high approval ratings, numerous policies that had been on hold are now being promoted, and her future activities are highly anticipated.

From early autumn, there was a surge in bear sightings and related human injuries across the country. The emergency hunting system based on the revised Wildlife Protection and Management Act began in September, and the mayors of municipalities entrusted with authority and responsibility struggled to respond.

In October, the Nobel Prizes were announced, and it was delightful news that Professor Shibumi Sakaguchi, a specially appointed professor at Osaka University, was selected for the Physiology or Medicine Prize, and Professor Susumu Kitagawa, a specially appointed professor at Kyoto University, was selected for the Chemistry Prize.

Top 10 News of Inagi City

Now, let's look back at the events of Inagi City.

1 Hometown Athletes Shine Brightly

At the World Swimming Singapore 2025 held in July, athlete Shunsei Yanagisawa competed in the 50m breaststroke. At the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics held in November, athlete Ayaju Matsunaga participated in deaf volleyball and won a gold medal.

2　Establishment of the Inagi City Community Development Ordinance

An ordinance was established to define mechanisms for resident participation in urban planning and Community Development, as well as coordination in development projects, to be enforced in April 2026.

3　Home Stay Program with Sister City Foster City

During the summer vacation period in August, six high school students were sent from Inagi City for the first time to deepen exchanges.

4. Launch of Support Benefit Program for Pregnant Women

A program was launched to provide consultations on childbirth and childcare, as well as a benefit of 50,000 yen each during pregnancy and childbirth.

5. Formulation of Policy on Club Activities in Municipal Junior High Schools

Based on the actual condition surveys and questionnaire results conducted since FY2022, a policy was formulated in October to balance reducing teachers' burdens and maintaining the school club activity system.

6 On-Demand Transportation Pilot Experiment

In response to the severe shortage of drivers and the strengthening of labor hour regulations, which have made it unavoidable to reduce and revise routes for route buses and i-buses, a pilot experiment was launched to introduce on-demand transportation with Koyodai and Nagamine Districts as the service areas.

7 Promotion of Carbon Neutrality through Public-Private Partnership Projects

Through a reverse auction by Enerbank Co., Ltd., renewable energy power (effectively 100%) was introduced to 32 Public Facilities in the city, and in collaboration with Terra Charge Co., Ltd., EV rapid charging stations were installed at eight Public Facilities within the city.

8 Enhancement of the City Hospital Obstetrics and Gynecology Medical System

The obstetrics and gynecology ward was renovated and three LDR rooms were put into use. Preconception care outpatient services and day-care postpartum hospitalization were started, and support for Tokyo's painless delivery cost subsidy was implemented.

9 Launch of the Inagi Satoyama Ranger

To sustainably and healthily preserve the city's woodlands, green spaces, parks, and satoyama, and to pass on the greenery, which is a shared asset of the citizens, to the next generation, a citizen collaboration activity organization was established.

10. 10th Anniversary of the Friendship City Agreement with Soma City and Nozawaonsen Village

To commemorate the 10th anniversary since the agreement was signed in 2015, both mayors were invited to the Inagi City Festival, where commemorative gifts were presented.

These are the top 10 news stories of 2025.

Extra

As an extra, in March, the Giants Town Stadium, the core of Tokyo Giants Town, opened. It is used not only as the Yomiuri Giants farm team stadium but also for league games and various sports events in women's baseball, college baseball, high school baseball, and softball. Many players and spectators from outside the city visit, creating a lively atmosphere. The city is promoting public-private partnerships, including the installation of large letter signs using Tokyo metropolitan subsidies and dispatching City Hospital nurses to official games and events.

As described above, various events occurred both domestically and internationally, as well as within the city, in 2025. We will continue to strive for the stability and development of the City Administration.