No. 133 Top 10 News of Inagi City in 2022

Since the beginning of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has continued for three years without any signs of subsiding. Last year, a rapid spread of the Omicron variant led to the sixth wave early in the new year, and in July, the emergence of the more infectious Omicron BA5 variant triggered the seventh wave. Although cases decreased afterward, they began to rise again from mid-October, leading to the eighth wave that continues to this day.

The city has promoted vaccination and worked to prevent infection and severe cases.

Looking back at last year's international situation, just as the nuclear powers of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, China, and Russia issued a joint statement in January declaring that preventing nuclear war and avoiding a nuclear arms race are their most important responsibilities, President Putin began the invasion of Ukraine in February. Although Japan, the United States, and Europe strongly condemned this and imposed economic sanctions, a fundamental flaw was revealed in the United Nations Security Council, where it becomes ineffective and loses its function if a permanent member exercises its veto power. As a result, in September, we were unable to prevent President Putin from unilaterally annexing four regions in eastern and southern Ukraine. The impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine has led to shortages in resource supply, soaring prices, and a food crisis centered around wheat, as well as various price increases.

As a result of the zero-COVID policy, which was backed by the authority of General Secretary Xi Jinping, who unusually took office for a third term in China, economic growth has significantly slowed down, causing adverse effects globally.

Despite the political instability, the Winter Olympics were held in Beijing, China in February, where Japan won a record number of 3 gold medals, 6 silver medals, and 9 bronze medals, totaling 18 medals. In March, at the Winter Paralympics in Beijing, Japan showed great performance with 4 gold medals, 1 silver medal, and 2 bronze medals, totaling 7 medals.

In addition to the Olympics, in the sports world, Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels in Major League Baseball achieved his 10th win in August, marking the first time in 104 years since Babe Ruth that a player has reached "double-digit wins and double-digit home runs." In October, Munetaka Murakami of the Yakult Swallows hit his 56th home run, surpassing Sadaharu Oh's record of 55 home runs for the most in a season by a Japanese player. In November, at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the Japanese national team achieved the remarkable feat of defeating Germany and Spain, both of whom have superior experience and have won the championship, to advance to the knockout stage at the top of their group.

While such athletes are active, Haruyuki Takahashi, a former director of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games Organizing Committee, was arrested in August on suspicion of accepting bribes. It was unfortunate to learn about the reality of the operation, which was mired in vested interests, as the special investigation unit and the Fair Trade Commission searched the advertising company Dentsu.

In the military situation of East Asia, North Korea has been repeatedly launching missiles at an unusual frequency. In October, a ballistic missile passed over Aomori Prefecture, and in November, an ICBM fell within our country's EEZ off the coast of Hokkaido, threatening Japan's sovereignty.

The government decided in November to fundamentally strengthen defense capabilities within five years, and many citizens also support the strengthening of defense capabilities. However, in December, there was a state of confusion within the ruling party regarding the funding sources, and it is necessary to closely monitor future discussions.

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

1 Continuation of COVID-19 Measures

Vaccination has been promoted for booster shots after the third dose, expanding the eligible age group, and aiming for the early administration of the bivalent vaccine targeting the Omicron variant. Infections have recurred from the sixth wave to the eighth wave, but with a decrease in the severity rate, restrictions on activities have been eased, and various events for the public and private sectors have resumed for the first time in three years.

2 City Hospital starts with a new system

Starting in April, Vice Director Saito will be promoted to the new Director, and Matsuzaki, the hospital's business manager and director, will no longer hold the dual role of director, focusing solely on the hospital's business management. This will establish a new system led by these two individuals. The medical department will set up a Gastroenterology Center, a Kidney Center, and a Community General Support Center, aiming to promote team-based medical care through group organization and enhance support for patients and families through functional consolidation.

3 Hirao Land Readjustment Project Association Dissolved

Twelve years have passed since the project approval in July 2010, and the construction and land readjustment have been completed. In March, the governor approved the dissolution of the association, and the infrastructure development in Hirao has been completed.

4 Sister City Foster City Citizens Visit Inagi - Installation of Signposts

In October, the Citizen Festival was held for the first time in three years, and a delegation of 33 citizens from Foster City visited Inagi, facilitating交流 with the citizens of Inagi. Additionally, to help people feel closer to our domestic and international Sister Cities and Friendship Cities, a "signpost" was installed near the entrance of City Hall.

5 Inagi City Fire Department and Fire Brigade Activities

In August, the Inagi City Fire Department's rescue team made its debut at the 50th National Fire Rescue Skills Competition and won an award in the "Crawling Rescue" category. In November, the Inagi City Fire Brigade, representing Minami-Tama, participated in the 50th Tokyo Fire Drill Competition, with the first division winning third place.

6 Inagi Seventh Elementary School and Inagi City Library received the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award

Each of their ambitious activities was recognized, achieving a double award as an "Excellent Practice School/Library for Children's Reading Activities."

7 Support for Junior High School Club Activities Utilizing the Corporate Furusato Tax Donation

A partnership was established with Club Activity Support Co., Ltd., and by utilizing funds from the corporate hometown tax system for the placement of external instructors in junior high schools, we promoted the reduction of teachers' burdens and work style reform.

8 Naming of "Onekan Warrior Inagi Pedalion"

The name of a new original character inspired by bicycle racing has been decided through a public recruitment, and a costume has also been created.

9 Road Reporting System 'My City Report' Full-Scale Operation Begins

An app that allows users to report damage or issues in roads and parks using the camera and GPS functions of their smartphones has started full-scale operation after approximately one year of trial.

10 Revision of the District Division for the House of Representatives Single-Member Constituencies

Due to a partial amendment to the Public Offices Election Act enacted in December, Fuchu, Tama, and Inagi will become the new Tokyo 30th District starting from the next House of Representatives general election. The division of Tokyo's 21st and 22nd Districts, which has continued since 2017, has been resolved.

These are the top 10 news stories of 2022.

This year marks the fourth year of COVID-19, but even if the infection does not completely subside, we will strive to resume social life and economic activities under the concept of 'With COVID-19'.