Latest news with #Maebashi
Calgary Herald
18-06-2025
- Business
- Calgary Herald
'Sequestered:' Shop owners describe doing business in G7 security sanctum
Kevin Okabe recalls hobnobbing with world leaders while operating a souvenir shop in Kananaskis Village during 2002's G8 Summit. Article content Twenty-three years later, there was little of that, he said, as a much stricter security cordon descended on the venue that once again hosted those countries' VIPs for G7. Article content Article content 'They've really reined in the availability — it's completely different, it's very tight,' said Okabe who, with wife Naoko Maebashi, now operates the Moose Family Kitchen in the complex that hosted meetings and photo sessions under a tight lockdown. Article content Article content The couple weren't able to operate their business in a normal fashion but were allowed to maintain its retail side in case delegates required items such as over-the-counter medication said Okabe. Article content Article content 'We've kind of shut down, we were just here for essentials only,' he said, adding a few such sales were made. Article content When the media hordes were moving through the village, signifying the presence of G7 leaders, 'we were sequestered in the store space, we couldn't just wander around,' said Okabe. Article content In 2002, the couple, particularly Maebashi, were able to join the press corp. in snapping images of the assembled world leaders and even getting up-close photos of them as they milled around following official photo opportunities. Article content Article content At one point, then-U.S. president George W. Bush inquired if Maebashi had gotten a good photo of them. Article content This time, it was strictly the leaders' support staff who interacted with them, though when they showed photos of themselves with prime ministers and presidents in 2002, 'that certainly served as a conversation starter,' said Okabe. Article content But on the summit's last day, on Tuesday, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese dropped into a neighbouring store for a visit. Article content Article content Like others who work and live in Kananaskis, the couple underwent security screening head of the G7 summit while journalists required multiple passes and travelled through a series of security checks that included dogs sniffing their gear before they were allowed access to Kananaskis Village.
Japan Times
07-06-2025
- Business
- Japan Times
Ishiba vows to set up council for regional revitalization
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Saturday that he plans to establish a council tasked with helping promote regional revitalization led by the private sector. He hopes to include the plan, unveiled in talks with reporters during his visit to Maebashi, the capital of Gunma Prefecture, in a basic concept of his signature "Regional Revitalization 2.0" program. The envisaged council will be directly supervised by Ishiba. The basic concept is expected to be compiled this summer. "We'll consider the possibility of revising related laws while learning from the efforts being made in Maebashi" in order to help accelerate community building through public-private cooperation, Ishiba said. In Maebashi, Ishiba visited Jins Park, a regional interaction hub, which also includes an eyeglasses store. At the complex, set up by glasses chain Jins Holdings, the prime minister tried on Jins brand glasses and tasted pastries sold at the facility. He smiled and said, "This is a very nice facility." Jins Holdings has built a new office in Maebashi, using the government's tax incentive program designed to facilitate business relocations to rural areas as part of regional revitalization. Ishiba also held talks with Jins founder Hitoshi Tanaka and others, and visited a shopping district in the city.
NHK
24-05-2025
- NHK
Joint police dog training held in Maebashi City
Police dogs practiced tracking crime suspects and searching for missing people at training sessions held on Saturday in Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture, eastern Japan. Two dogs raised by police and six by private-sector trainers took part. The eight dogs practiced chasing the suspect who had gone into hiding and missing people. The dogs first sniffed a piece of fabric from the suspect then followed the scent across an asphalt surface. When the dogs located a piece of wood representing a lost possession of the person they were after, then took prone positions to alert police officers and trainers. Police say dogs were mobilized more than 230 times in the prefecture last year, and have also helped find missing persons this year. One trainer said she felt nervous participating for the first time, but hoped to build trust with her dog through advice she received. Trainer Sunaga Takehiro, who ran the session, said the dogs greatly improved their skills and boosted their self-reliance. He said he wants the dogs to save as many people as possible.
