No.74 Top 10 News of Inagi City in 2017

Looking back at last year, in the international political landscape, in January 2017, Mr. Trump, who advocated America First, took office as President of the United States; in March 2017, Prime Minister May of the UK notified the EU of its withdrawal; in May 2017, Mr. Macron, at 39 years old, became the youngest president in history after winning the French presidential election; in March 2017, the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye of South Korea was decided, and in May 2017, Mr. Moon Jae-in was elected in the presidential election; and in October 2017, Mr. Xi Jinping started his second term at the Chinese Communist Party Congress, making it a noteworthy year.

In the July 2017 Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election, the regional party Tomin First, led by Governor Yuriko Koike, won 55 seats and became the largest party, while the Liberal Democratic Party suffered a historic defeat with only 23 seats, the lowest in its history. In the October 2017 House of Representatives election, Governor Koike formed the Party of Hope aiming for a change of government, but her "exclusion" remarks led to the founding of the Constitutional Democratic Party and resulted in a major defeat, with the Liberal Democratic Party securing 284 seats and the Komeito Party 29 seats, maintaining a two-thirds majority.
In relation to North Korea, in February 2017, Kim Jong-un's half-brother, Mr. Jong-nam, was murdered in Malaysia, and nuclear tests and missile launches in violation of UN Security Council sanctions were repeated, bringing instability and tension to East Asia.
In the field of sports, Ozeki Kisenosato, who won his first championship at the January 2017 tournament, was promoted to Yokozuna, becoming the first Japanese-born Yokozuna in 19 years, but he missed three consecutive tournaments due to injury. In April 2017, figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu won with the highest score in history, while Mao Asada announced her retirement from active competition. In May 2017, golfer Ai Miyazato also announced her retirement. In June 2017, the mixed doubles team of Maharu Yoshimura and Kasumi Ishikawa won Japan's first championship in 48 years at the Table Tennis World Championships. In August 2017, badminton player Nozomi Okuhara won the World Championships, becoming the first Japanese player to do so in 40 years. In September 2017, sprinter Yoshihide Kiryu became the first Japanese to break the 10-second barrier in the men's 100 meters final at the Japan Intercollegiate Championships. While there is a generational change among athletes, there are also remarkable advancements by younger players, raising expectations for the Tokyo Olympics.
In the field of disaster, there were many victims last year, starting with the record heavy rain damage in northern Kyushu in July 2017. The evacuation order areas related to the Tokyo Electric Power Company Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident have been lifted in the four towns of Kawamata, Namie, Iitate, and Tomioka in Fukushima Prefecture, reducing the area to about 30% of its maximum size. We hope for further recovery in the future.
There have been various events both domestically and internationally, but let's take a look back at a year in Inagi City.

1. Inagi City is divided due to the revision of the electoral district boundaries for the House of Representatives
   Despite joint efforts with Tama City to request avoidance of division, in the general election held in October 2017, including proportional representation, four members of the House of Representatives were elected from the electoral district that includes Inagi City.
2. Inagi Fire Station Hirao Branch Office began operations in April 2017
   The long-standing issue of significantly reducing the emergency vehicle arrival time in the southwestern part of the city has been addressed, and the enhancement of firefighting capabilities has been achieved with the introduction of drones unique to the city in August 2017.
3. The large-scale renovation of the Central Community Center Hall has been completed and will open at the end of March 2017.
   There are various challenges associated with facility updates due to aging, but this serves as a practical example of solving them through citizen collaboration.
4. The operation of the iBus Phase 2 revised route has started
   After two years of discussions at the Regional Public Transportation Conference, operations with a new route and new timetable, including increased service, began at the end of March 2017, receiving generally favorable reviews.
5. 10th Anniversary of Inagi City Care Support Volunteer System
   The city started this initiative ahead of the nation and is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. A commemorative ceremony was held, and letters of appreciation were presented to volunteers and receiving organizations.
6. Agricultural Volunteer Training Course "Inagi Agricultural Interaction School" is now open
   All 10 students of the memorable first cohort have successfully graduated, and we look forward to their future activities.
7. Partial Return of Tama Service Subsidy Facility
   In August 2017, after many years of requests for return, a partial return was realized.
8. Won the Pump Vehicle Operation Division at the 47th Tokyo Fire Department Operation Competition
   The Inagi City Fire Brigade First Division participated as the representative of Inagi City and achieved remarkable results in the competition held in October 2017 after overcoming rigorous training sessions totaling 90 times.
9. Formulation of the Third Inagi City Hospital Reform Plan and Certification of Hospital Function Evaluation
   A reform plan was formulated aimed at further enhancing medical functions and continuing sound hospital management, while also renewing the certification conducted by the Japan Council for Quality Health Care and promoting the provision of safe and secure medical services.
10. Completion of Renovation Work on City Hall First Parking Lot, Start of Use
    The parking lot has opened with measures such as separating pedestrian and vehicle traffic, implementing one-way traffic within the premises, and eliminating level differences, allowing everyone to use it safely and securely, and it can also be utilized for events.

These are the top 10 news stories of Inagi City for 2017. As a bonus, the course for the cycling road race for the Tokyo Olympics has been almost finalized, and it will loop around the city. Moving forward, we will work together with the organizing committee and Tokyo Metropolitan Government to prepare as a city. We appreciate your continued support this year.