No. 3 Inagi City's 10 Biggest News in 2011

(Published in the January 15, 2012 issue of Public Relations Inagi)

　Last year was filled with crises both domestically and internationally, including the Christchurch, New Zealand earthquake, the Great East Japan Earthquake and typhoon damage, concerns about default on U.S. bonds, concerns about the collapse of the euro due to concerns about European government bonds, the extremely strong yen, and major floods in Thailand. There were also bright topics such as the great success of Nadeshiko Japan. This was a big event for Inagi City, so let's look back on the past year.

1 Immediately after the Great East Japan Earthquake, the city began its own rescue and water supply activities in Soma City, Fukushima Prefecture. In recognition of these initial response efforts, the Inagi City Fire Department received the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications' Commendation.
2 Due to the effects of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, attention has been focused on radiation levels in the city. Started to independently measure and publish air radiation levels and school lunch food radiation levels at 38 locations in the city. In response to parents' concerns, we have decided to allow those who wish to bring their own boxed lunches.
3 A project commemorating the 40th anniversary of the city's incorporation was carried out. Preview screening of the movie "Legacy of the Sun", lecture by original author Jiro Asada, sale of commemorative frame stamps, issuance of commemorative resident certificates, etc.
4 “Nashinosuke Inagi” is born. An image character for Inagi City will be created by Kunio Okawara, a mechanical designer for works such as Mobile Suit Gundam, who lives in the city, and multi-creator Jet Inoue. A clock tower shaped like ``Nashinosuke Inagi'' will be donated by Soroptimist International Inagi.
5 Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the sister city partnership with Ozora Town (formerly Onnamanbetsu Town), Hokkaido. Exchanges were held at both the Memanbetsu Tourism Summer Festival and the I-no-Machiinagi Citizen Festival.
6 Opening of Nakajima Yushi Nursery School. This is the first privatization of a public nursery school. The expansion and renovation of Koyodai Nursery School and the rebuilding of Hirao Nursery School will increase the capacity and eliminate the number of children on waiting lists.
7 JR Nambu Line continuous grade separation project is partially completed. Elevation of the Tachikawa-bound down line was completed on December 24, 2011.
8 Tama Routes 3, 3, and 7 are opened to traffic. Along with the progress of the land readjustment project around Minami-Tama Station, a new road connecting Koremasa Bridge to Kawasaki Kaido has been completed. Two of the four lanes were temporarily opened on April 26, 2011.
9 Held a “gathering to celebrate the World Cup victory with citizens”. On August 11, 2011, Iwashimizu and Iwabuchi, members of the Nadeshiko Japan team that won the Women's Soccer World Cup and who play for Nippon Television Beleza, visited the Central Community Center Hall and gave a speech to citizens, mainly young and girl soccer players. 390 people congratulated the winner.
10 Elections for city council members and mayor were held on April 24, 2011. In the municipal election, 22 people were elected, including eight new members, and in the mayoral election, a new mayor was elected for the first time in 20 years.

　These are the top 10 news for Inagi City last year, but this year is the Year of the Dragon, where we pray for recovery from the misfortune of the Great East Japan Earthquake and for the economy to improve due to special demand.