No.62 Top 10 News of Inagi City in 2016

Looking back on last year, in the political and economic fields, the revised Public Election Law, which lowered the voting age to 18 and older, was enacted in June 2016. In July 2016, new voters aged 18 and 19 cast their first votes in the House of Councillors election and the Tokyo gubernatorial election, where Yuriko Koike was elected for the first time as the Governor of Tokyo. In the November 2016 U.S. presidential election, Donald Trump, who had no prior public office experience, was elected, raising concerns about his extreme statements and a return to American protectionism.
In the field of sports, there was dark news in February 2016 when former professional baseball player Kazuhiro Kiyohara was arrested for violating the Stimulants Control Law. In June 2016, there was bright news when Ichiro Suzuki of the Marlins achieved a total of 4,257 hits in Japan and the United States, surpassing the all-time Major League Baseball hit record. Then in August 2016, the first Rio de Janeiro Olympics was held in South America, where Japan won a record 41 medals, the most in its history, and also achieved a record 24 medals in the Paralympics.
In relation to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, a new emblem called "Kumi Ichimatsu Mon" was selected in April 2016 to replace the emblem that was withdrawn the previous year. Following the election of the new governor Koike, discussions were held from August 2016 onwards regarding the reduction of event costs and the review of competition venues.
In the field of industrial science, the Hokkaido Shinkansen opened in March 2016, and in June 2016, the proposed name for the new element with atomic number 113 was announced as Nihonium, which was officially decided in November 2016. In October 2016, Professor Yoshinori Ohsumi from Tokyo Institute of Technology was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, marking the third consecutive year of good news.
On the other hand, regarding natural disasters, in April 2016, the Kumamoto earthquake occurred, followed by record heavy rainfall in Iwate Prefecture and Hokkaido due to Typhoon No. 10 in August 2016, the central Tottori earthquake in October 2016, and the offshore Fukushima earthquake in November 2016, resulting in significant damage.
There have been various events both domestically and internationally, but let's take a look back at a year in Inagi City.

1. Results of the Regional Public Transport Conference Materialized
   In June 2016, a new route bus service from Wakabadai Station to Minami-Tama Station began operation jointly by Keio and Odakyu buses. In July 2016, an airport shuttle bus to Narita and Haneda airports started servicing Inagi Station and Wakabadai Station. In November 2016, the second phase of the i-bus route review and increase in service frequency was decided.
2. Inagi Communication Base Pair Terrace Opening
   In April 2016, a tourism information center opened under the elevated area of Inagi-Naganuma Station.
3. Support for the Kumamoto Earthquake
   In April 2016, an earthquake recorded two seismic intensities of 7 over two days, and we transported relief supplies to Kumamoto City, Uto City, and Beppu City, dispatched disaster support nurses to Minami-Aso Junior High School, and sent staff to Mashiki Town and Kumamoto City.
4. Formulation of Inagi City Medical Plan
   We have developed a unique medical plan for the city aimed at building a community-based integrated care system.
5. Opening of Inagi Nagamine Sports Plaza
   With the completion of the management building, the Tokyo Verdy group was fully opened in April 2016 as the designated administrator.
6. Formulation of the Third Basic Firefighting Plan for Inagi City
   A 10-year plan from fiscal year 2016 to 2025 has been decided to maintain the city's independent fire service and strengthen the Branch Office, personnel, and equipment.
7. Designation of the City Bird
   As a commemorative project for the 45th anniversary of the city system implementation, the "Common Kestrel" was selected through a citizen vote and announced at the citizens' festival in October 2016.
8. Issuance of Reading Passbook
   In July 2016, we introduced a reading passbook similar to a bankbook that can print book loan records, in line with the update of the library information system.
9. Ue Hirao Tunnel has opened
   In May 2016, the first tunnel on a city road was opened within the Hirao Land Readjustment Project area.
10. Inagi Free Wi-Fi Service Launch
    Free public Wi-Fi has been established at 6 stations and 14 Public Facilities in the city, and operations began in October 2016.

These are the top 10 news stories of Inagi City for 2016. As a special mention, the concept of TOKYO GIANTS TOWN (tentative name), centered around the construction of a farm stadium by the Yomiuri Giants in the Minamiyama East Land Readjustment Project area, has been announced. We expect it to contribute to regional promotion and the development of the city.
Thank you for your continued support this year.