No.143 Top 10 News of Inagi City in 2023

Last year, on May 5, the World Health Organization (WHO) lifted the international emergency for COVID-19, and in Japan, on May 8, the classification of COVID-19 was changed from Category 2 to Category 5, leading to a gradual normalization of social life and economic activities both domestically and internationally.

Looking back at events overseas, it has been a year since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February, with no resolution in sight. In June, the Ukrainian military launched a large-scale counteroffensive, but it resulted in limited achievements, leading to a stalemate.

In March, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for President Putin for war crimes related to the illegal abduction of children from occupied territories. However, in September, North Korean General Secretary Kim Jong-un visited Russia and held talks with President Putin, where it seems that mutual cooperation was agreed upon for Russia's space development and North Korea's provision of weapons and ammunition, indicating that the prolongation of the invasion of Ukraine is unavoidable.

In this context, in October, Hamas, which effectively controls the Gaza Strip, launched cross-border attacks on Israel, taking about 240 hostages, including foreigners, and the Israeli military retaliated with airstrikes and a ground invasion of Gaza, leading to an escalation of the conflict.

Western forces condemning the invasion of Ukraine are being forced to respond to Russia, China, and Hamas simultaneously, making the resolution of each issue more difficult.

In various regions, information warfare has intensified, and rapidly evolving AI technology has been generating fabricated information and images, raising global concerns about safety. In October, U.S. President Biden issued an executive order to ensure AI safety, marking the first legally binding regulation. In December, the European Union reached a broad agreement on comprehensive AI regulations, highlighting the urgent need for measures in our country, where regulations are relatively lax.

Amid the structural division and conflict of new East-West powers, the hosting of the WBC World Baseball Championship in March in Miami, Florida, and the Rugby World Cup in France from September to October provided a moment of peace.

In the WBC, Japan defeated the United States to win the championship for the third time in 14 years. Unfortunately, in the Rugby World Cup, we missed out on advancing to the knockout stage, but the Cherry Blossom jersey has definitely grown compared to 2015 and 2019, and there are high expectations for the next time.

In October, Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels hit 44 home runs, becoming the first Japanese player to win the home run title, and on November 2, he was selected as the American League MVP for the second time in two years.

Looking back at events in the country, a guide for the widespread robbery that caused a stir across the nation in February was forcibly deported from an immigration facility in the Philippines, and four Japanese men who identified themselves as Ruffy and others were arrested.

In March, Prime Minister Kishida and President Yoon of South Korea held talks at the Prime Minister's official residence and agreed to normalize the deteriorating Japan-South Korea relations and resume shuttle diplomacy.

In July, it was revealed that Big Motor Co., Ltd. had made fraudulent insurance claims, in August a member of the Nippon University American Football Club was arrested for possession of marijuana in the dormitory, in September Johnny's Office acknowledged and apologized for the sexual abuse incident involving Johnny Kitagawa, and in October the company name was changed to SMILE-UP Co., Ltd., with plans to go out of business after completing compensation to the victims, among other scandals that occurred.

In the August National High School Baseball Championship, Keio High School achieved its second victory in 107 years, surprising everyone.

In September, the Japan Meteorological Agency announced that the average temperature this summer was the highest since statistics began in 1898, and the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy announced that the average gasoline price nationwide was the highest since weekly surveys began in 1990, with price increases for food and daily necessities also occurring one after another.

Next, let's look back at the main events of Inagi City from last year.

1. Abolition of the COVID-19 Response Headquarters and Conclusion of the Fever Outpatient Clinic at the City Hospital
   Due to the reclassification of infectious diseases to Category 5, the city's response headquarters will be abolished from May, and the fever outpatient clinic, which has been operating under a special system at the City Hospital's emergency department, will conclude and return to regular medical services.
2. Conclusion of Comprehensive Cooperation Agreement for the Realization of TOKYO GIANTS TOWN Concept
   In August, an agreement was concluded among Inagi City, Yomiuri Shimbun Tokyo Headquarters, Yomiuri Giants, and Yomiuri Land to work on regional revitalization, promotion of education, culture, and sports, etc.
3. Birth of Sakahama 3-chome, 4-chome, and 5-chome
   In March, new town names were born in part of Sakahama due to the address organization following the completion of the Land Readjustment Project in the Odaryo area.
4. Starting Projects Towards Achieving Carbon Neutrality by 2050
   Starting from April, we will begin the separate collection of plastic waste, not only for container packaging but also for product plastics, to recycle them as resources. Additionally, we will implement a project to install solar power generation equipment and storage batteries at the city's Public Facilities through a PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) method, without any initial investment, and replace lighting with LED to aim for carbon neutrality.
5. A Youth Soccer Team from Sister City Foster City Visits Inagi for the First Time
   A visiting group of over 50 people, including 27 players, coaches, chaperones, and parents or guardians, visited Inagi in July and participated in various exchange activities.
6. Mr. Kazuchi Miyamoto Appointed as Inagi City Tourism Ambassador
   Mr. Miyamoto, the manager of the Yomiuri Giants women's team, has been newly appointed to enhance the city's visibility and revitalization.
7. 50th Anniversary of the Community Center and Library
   The Community Center commemorative ceremony was held in June at the Central Community Center Hall, featuring a lecture by Yuujin Goto (violist) and a performance by the Iris String Quartet.
   The library commemorative ceremony was held in July at the Central Community Center Hall, featuring a lecture by Misumi Kubo (Naoki Prize-winning author).
8. Start of Medical Expense Subsidy Program for High School Students and Others
   With the start of Tokyo's subsidy system, from April, the target for children's medical expense subsidies will be expanded to those up to 18 years old, and in June, the city decided to eliminate income restrictions from April of this year using its own financial resources.
9. Start Using the Digital Disability Certificate App "Mirairo ID"
   At some public facilities in the city, the app can now be used to present a disability certificate instead, improving the convenience of procedures for fee reductions and exemptions.
10. Establishment of the Inagi City Public-Private Collaboration Desk
    To coordinate collaboration between private business operators such as corporate universities and the city, and to promote the improvement of administrative services, the Public-Private Collaboration Desk was established in the Planning Department in October.

These are the top 10 news stories of 2023. This time, we will add the following two points as extras.

• Tokyo Verdy faced Shimizu S-Pulse at the National Stadium on December 2nd and secured promotion to J1. This marks a return after 16 years, but next season will bring even tougher opponents, so let's tighten our resolve and support them.

• I was re-elected in the mayoral election in April and entrusted with my fourth term. Additionally, three new council members were elected in the city council election, refreshing the composition of the council.

The mayor and the council will work together as two wheels of a vehicle, maintaining a sense of tension while cooperating to advance the city's Community Development. Thank you for your continued support this year.