Tokyo Assemly election today

I went to local junior high school which is used for polling station to cast ballots in the assembly election this morning.

Attention is focused on whether the governing bloc of the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito can retain its majority. The opposition Democratic Party is seeking to replace the LDP as the assembly's largest party.

All parties waged the 9-day election campaign on the premise that the results would affect the timing of dissolution of the Lower House for a general election.

Candidates exchanged in fierce debate during the campaign on the issues of restructuring ShinGinko Tokyo, which is funded by the Metropolitan Government, the low birthrate, employment, and medical costs.

Some 1,800 polling station in Tokyo opened at 7AM on Sunday local time. Voting will end at 8PM and ballots will be counted on the same day.

Sumida River Fireworks Festival

Many fireworks festival are held in summer in Japan. Sumida river fireworks festival is most famous and historical one.

Sumida River Fireworks Festival

Date/Time : Jul. 25 (Sat.)
*Will be canceled in case of rain

Location: (Site 1) Between Sakurabashi Bridge and Kototoibashi Bridge
(Site 2) Between Komagatabashi Bridge and Umayabashi



Descriptions
The origin of the Sumida River Fireworks Festival, one of the largest and most famous fireworks displays in Tokyo, dates back to 1733. Although it had been repeatedly cancelled through its history, the festival officially rejuvenated in 1978 and has been annually held since then, marking its 30th year. In addition to the display of traditional fireworks, the program includes a competitive presentation of various new styles created by Japan's top class fireworks craftsmen (the competition is held at the festival site 1). Some presentations are based on this year's themes, "rainbows" and "fairies." The festival finishes with an impressive finale at which 3,000 fireworks are launched in five minutes at both festival sites.

Let's go to Sumida river wearing Yukata(light cotton Kimono)

Rainy season in Japan

Tokyo is in the middle of rainy season.

The season began in southern Kyushu at the end of May and reach the Tohoku district in early June.

Of course we don not like hot and humid weather, but this rain is needed by the farmers at the rice-planting time.

Since we can not dry clothes in the sun in this season, we have no choice but to hang them inside houses.

The end of rainy season in Tokyo is in the middle of July.