Gala Event of Shizuoka City in Tokyo: Dec.16, 2015

I attended a gala event held by Shizuoka City. It aimed to promote the city in Tokyo. More than 300 people gathered.

Famous animation (manga) character chibimaruko-chan, along with the mayor, politicians, and the local government’s staff members, welcomed the guests(top photo).

Local foods were served. They included oden (ingredients such as daikon vegetable and processed fishcakes boiled in soy-flavoured soup), motsu curry (curry with organ meats), sakura-ebi shrimp, shirasu (whitebait), oranges, green tea, local sake (rice wine), and many others.

They promoted local products, too. They included plastic model toys, canned foods, and cookies. Tourism and local events were also campaigned.

The information for those who want to move to Shizuoka and work there was offered. The city is keen in attracting companies as well as people.

Revitalizing the local communities is one of the most important topics in Japan now. They face problems such as the decrease of population, aging, the decline of traditional industries, and the deterioration of public finance. The local problems are partially linked with the concentration of population and economic activities into Tokyo area.

The local governments make their own plans for .reactivation of the areas. Most of them are similar. They include the policies to invite companies, promote tourism, to offer better social security services, and to support raising children. Shizuoka City is same in the points.

The meeting was useful for me to expand my human network. I heard interesting stories in the region. I tasted good foods, too.

The articles of my walks in Shizuoka area in this blog are posted at:

TokaidoWalk (Yoshiwawa-Yui)

TokaidoWalk (Yui-Ejiri)

TokaidoWalk (Ejiri-Fuchu)
TokaidoWalk (Fuchu-Okabe)

Daidogei(Street performance) in Shizuoka

ShizuokaCity

Sakura-ebiShrimp (Yui)

Mihoin Shimizu ward, Shizuoka City