No.86 Top 10 News of Inagi City in Heisei 30

Looking back at last year, in the international political situation, in March 2018, a constitutional amendment was passed in China to abolish the term limit for the presidency, and the incumbent was re-elected in the Russian presidential election, strengthening the power bases of Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin. Meanwhile, in the November 2018 U.S. midterm elections, a "divided government" emerged, with the ruling Republican Party gaining a majority in the Senate and the opposition Democratic Party gaining a majority in the House of Representatives, leading to instability in the Trump administration.
In June 2018, the first summit meeting between President Trump and Chairperson Kim Jong-un was held, raising hopes for easing tensions between the U.S. and North Korea. However, there has been no concrete progress towards denuclearization since then, and the threat from North Korea continues to persist.
In Japan, in September 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe won a head-to-head battle against former Secretary-General Shigeru Ishiba in the Liberal Democratic Party presidential election, achieving his third term. Shortly after, he agreed to start negotiations for a new trade agreement with President Trump. In November 2018, during a meeting with President Putin, an agreement was made to accelerate negotiations for a peace treaty based on the 1956 Japan-Soviet Joint Declaration. However, currently, there are no signs of resolution regarding the Japan-U.S. trade issues and the Japan-Russia territorial disputes, and future developments are anticipated.
There were also notable scandals such as the alteration of official documents by the Ministry of Finance, the inflation of the employment rate of people with disabilities in central government agencies, and the manipulation of entrance exam scores at private medical universities.
As a happy event, in May 2018, Shogi player Sota Fujii, at the age of 15 years and 9 months, became the youngest ever to achieve the rank of 7-dan, and in October 2018, Yoshinori Ohsumi, a special professor at Kyoto University, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
Sports provided us with many moving moments last year.
In February 2018, at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, the Japanese delegation won a record total of 13 medals. Figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu overcame injuries to win gold medals in two consecutive tournaments, and in July 2018, he was awarded the People's Honor Award. In July 2018, at the FIFA World Cup in Russia, despite a recent coaching change and poor performance in the warm-up matches, the team advanced past the group stage to the knockout round. In August 2018, at the Asian Games, swimmer Rikako Ikee won 6 gold medals and was selected as MVP. In September 2018, tennis player Naomi Osaka won the women's singles title at the US Open, and in November 2018, MLB player Shohei Ohtani of the Angels won the Rookie of the Year award, highlighting their achievements overseas.
As mentioned above, we reflected on last year both domestically and internationally, and we would like to share the top 10 news stories from Inagi City over the past year.

1. The course for the cycling road race of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics has been announced, and it has been officially decided that it will pass through Inagi City.
   It was decided to hold a test event for road racing in July 2019.
2. Regulations on Smoking Restrictions in Public Places Have Started
   To prevent passive smoking and beautify the environment, smoking is prohibited in designated areas such as streets and parks around six stations in the city.
3. Establishment of the Inagi City Tourism Association
   Various organizations and universities related to tourism have been organized, and there are expectations for the promotion of tourism projects led by the private sector in the future.
4. Change of Education Director
   The transition from the old system, which is a transitional measure, to the new system of the Board of Education has been completed.
5. Achieved a total of 7 million visitors to the Central Library
   Achieved in 11 years and 8 months since the opening in July 2006.
6. 70th Anniversary of the Fire Brigade Establishment, 50th Anniversary of the Inagi City Fire Department Opening
   This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the Inagi Village Fire Brigade in 1948 and the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Inagi City Fire Department in 1967. We will hold ceremonies and publish commemorative materials. In this anniversary year, the Inagi City Fire Brigade received the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Fire and Disaster Management Agency Commissioner Award flag.
7. Nagamine Community Center (Nagamine Oasis) is now open
   The community center project, the eighth in the city, has started at this facility.
8. Start of Postpartum Care Program at City Hospital
   Accepts mothers and infants up to 3 months postpartum in the obstetrics ward, where midwives provide physical and mental care as well as consultation and guidance.
9. Promoting Inagi, the Bicycle Town
   Joining the "National Association of Mayors Promoting Community Development through Bicycle Utilization," announcement of the road race course, introduction of shared bicycles, and hosting of Inagi Cross, among other measures related to bicycles, are being expanded.
10. Support for Disaster-Affected Areas in Large-Scale Disasters
    In June 2018, during the Northern Osaka Earthquake, disaster relief supplies were provided to Hirakata City, and in July 2018, during the heavy rain disaster in western Japan, supplies were provided to Soja City. Since December 2018, staff have been dispatched to Seiyo City in Ehime Prefecture to support recovery and reconstruction.

The top 10 news stories of 2018 are as follows. Just as last year's kanji was "disaster," it was a year marked by natural disasters. I hope this year will be a happy one for everyone, and that next year's top 10 news will include joyful events. Thank you for your continued support this year.