No.149 Tribute to the late Yoshikazu Ishikawa

On June 16th at 8:40 AM, former Mayor of Inagi City and current Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly member, Mr. Ryoichi Ishikawa, passed away.

I had heard that you had been unwell for several years, but I was also informed that you completed your treatment last year. When we met during the year-end and New Year gatherings, your voice had returned to its usual strength, and your complexion looked good. You appeared to be in good spirits when you attended the Inagi City Fire Department's New Year ceremony on January 14, so I thought your health had improved.

In May, the condition worsened, and I was hospitalized at the City Hospital, but when I visited, I was surprisingly in good health and was able to hear directly from the person about their condition, so I believed they would recover.

However, it was with great regret and surprise that we received the news of their passing less than three weeks later.

Mr. Ishikawa challenged the Inagi City Council election at the young age of 30 in 1983, winning the top seat and serving two terms. In 1991, he transitioned to the Inagi City mayoral election, winning as the youngest mayor in the country at that time, and dedicated his passion and wisdom to the development of Inagi for five terms over 20 years until 2011.

The year Mr. Ishikawa took office as mayor, 1991, was the year the bubble economy began to collapse, marking the end of a period of continuous economic growth. Even in the midst of a harsh economic situation, Mr. Ishikawa has been advancing urban infrastructure development with a long-term perspective.

In order to improve the lives and welfare of citizens, you have led discussions with your inherent leadership, worked on proper financial and administrative management, and carried out a review of plans with strong determination.

Mr. Ishikawa's achievements cannot be fully expressed in this article, but looking back at the main ones, he has promoted the development of many public facilities, including the opening of the Nagamine and Wakabadai areas of Tama New Town, the establishment of Shiroyama Elementary School, Nagamine Elementary School, Wakabadai Elementary School, Hirao Elementary School, and the Sixth Junior High School, as well as the opening of the School Lunch Joint Cooking Facility Second Kitchen, Shiroyama Cultural Center, Central Park, Comprehensive Gymnasium, and Comprehensive Grounds.

In addition, with the progress of the Tama New Town project, urbanization in the surrounding areas is also rapidly advancing, and the opening of the Inagi Ohashi and Inagi Interchange, as well as the commencement of the Nambu Line elevated crossing project, have been steadily promoted.

Mr. Ishikawa's various business promotions and reforms sometimes caused friction with the city council and city employees, but I believe that some friction arose precisely because he was sensitive to the changes of the times and sought to respond quickly and flexibly.

The accumulation of various reforms that have preceded other cities has led to the growth of Inagi today. We deeply appreciate the foundation that has been built for the further advancement of Inagi's Community Development, both now and in the future.

On June 24th, I delivered a eulogy on behalf of Inagi City for the local government contributor, Mr. Ryoichi Ishikawa, during the farewell ceremony.

We believe that the promise to bring this town, which is still in development, closer to completion and to pass it on to the next generation is a way to repay the kindness of Mr. Ishikawa.

I sincerely pray for your peace. Gassho