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Metrics details Our previous study demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of abdominal radical trachelectomy during pregnancy but did not focus on the fetus This study aimed to clarify the influence of abdominal radical trachelectomy performed during pregnancy on the fetus Eight cervical cancer patients who underwent abdominal radical trachelectomy at our hospital between February 2013 and August 2020 were enrolled in this study To assess the peri- and postoperative influence on the fetus we performed fetal heart monitoring at 30-min intervals during abdominal radical trachelectomy and calculated the estimated fetal body weight and resistance indexes of the middle cerebral artery and umbilical artery from postsurgery until delivery Four out of eight patients had preterm birth due to chorioamnionitis in one case and consideration of the recurrent risk of cervical cancer in three cases Fetal heart monitoring during abdominal radical trachelectomy revealed deceleration just once in one case but no abnormal findings in the other cases the fetal growth after abdominal radical trachelectomy was normal until delivery No abnormal Doppler findings were detected in the middle cerebral artery or umbilical artery Our findings clarified that abdominal radical trachelectomy performed for the treatment of early-stage cervical cancer during pregnancy has no obvious influence on fetal growth it is necessary to evaluate the growth and development of children delivered from mothers who have undergone abdominal radical trachelectomy during pregnancy patients who are diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer during their pregnancies are not as rare in Japan as they are elsewhere support the effectiveness of RT even during pregnancy RT shortens the uterine cervix length and may make pregnant women more susceptible to intrauterine infection pregnancy after RT occurs with apparent high-risk for preterm labor Several studies have discussed the timing of delivery in post-RT pregnancy but have not focused on the fetus during such pregnancies there is no evidence regarding intrauterine fetal growth or newborn long-term outcomes in post-RT pregnancy The changes in blood flow to the uterus after RT may affect intrauterine fetal growth and well-being anesthesia and direct surgical manipulation of the uterus containing the fetus during RT may affect intrauterine fetal growth and well-being our aim in this study was to clarify the influence of abdominal radical trachelectomy during pregnancy (ART-DP) on the fetus This is the first retrospective large cohort study to assess the safety and effectiveness of ART-DP with a focus on the fetus and newborn a progesterone (250 mg) intramuscular injection was given routinely per week until delivery if there were no adverse effects All patients were hospitalized after ART-DP until their deliveries Vaginal washings and cervical canal length measurements were performed regularly The timing of termination was selected based on an overall assessment of the gestational age Child development was investigated by interviewing the patient at the periodic checkup All management was conducted by experienced gynecological oncologists and perinatal professionals Complications related to ascending infection were not observed in the aforementioned cases after the addition of this procedure Changes in middle cerebral artery resistance index (MCA-RI) during pregnancy. MCA-RI measurement was performed every week. Each plot represents each value of MCA-RI. The solid line shows the average MCA-RI in each gestational week and the two dotted lines indicate the 10th percentile to 90th percentile. Each plot number corresponds to our case number Changes in umbilical artery resistance index (UA-RI). Each plot represents each value of UA-RI. The solid line shows the average UA-RI in each gestational week and the two dotted lines indicate the 10th percentile to 90th percentile. Each plot number corresponds to our case number Changes of estimated fetal body weight (EFBW) Each dot represents EFBW for each gestational date The solid line shows the average EFBW of the Japanese population in each gestational week The zone between the two dotted lines is − 1.5 to 1.5 standard deviations Each plot number corresponds to our case number this study focused on the influences of ART-DP on subsequent fetal growth and development A suspected reason for these miscarriages was insufficient blood flow because of the ligation of both uterine arteries as only hypoxic changes of the placenta were observed during autopsy patients may lose the chance to undergo surgery despite the presence of a resectable lesion at the time of diagnosis ART-DP is one of the important treatment options for pregnancy-associated cervical cancer because some patients were successfully treated only by ART-DP For pregnant women with invasive cervical cancer the advantages and disadvantages of each treatment modality are essential to make the decision our findings clarified that there was no obvious influence of ART-DP for pregnancy-associated cervical cancer on fetal growth and newborn development all fetuses were able to avoid exposure to anticancer agents To establish the safety and effectiveness of ART-DP for pregnancy-associated cervical cancer we need to continue investigating perinatal outcomes and children’s growth and development after ART-DP All data analysed during this study are included in this published article Abdominal radical trachelectomy during pregnancy International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Cancer incidence and mortality worldwide: sources methods and major patterns in GLOBOCAN 2012 Impact of HPV vaccine hesitancy on cervical cancer in Japan: a modelling study Radical Trachelectomy for the treatment of early-stage cervical Cancer: a systematic review Reproductive and oncologic outcomes after fertility-sparing surgery for early stage cervical cancer: a systematic review Pregnancies after vaginal radical trachelectomy (RT) in patients with early invasive uterine cervical cancer: results from a single institute Management of pregnancy after radical trachelectomy The safety and effectiveness of preserving the ascending uterine artery in a modified fertility-sparing abdominal radical trachelectomy Fetal and umbilical Doppler ultrasound in normal pregnancy Immediate radical trachelectomy versus neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by conservative surgery for patients with stage IB1 cervical cancer with tumors 2cm or larger: a literature review and analysis of oncological and obstetrical outcomes Abdominal radical trachelectomy versus chemotherapy followed by vaginal radical trachelectomy in stage 1B2 (FIGO 2018) cervical cancer A systematic review on fertility and recurrence rates The safety and effectiveness of abdominal radical Trachelectomy for early-stage cervical Cancer during pregnancy Is long-term tocolysis effective for threatened premature labour In which preterm labor-patients is intravenous maintenance tocolysis effective Inappropriate use of ritodrine hydrochloride for threatened preterm birth in Japan: a retrospective cohort study using a national inpatient database New Japanese neonatal anthropometric charts for gestational age at birth Mid-trimester preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM): etiology international recommendations of treatment options and outcome Abdominal radical trachelectomy during pregnancy: a systematic review of the literature Laparoscopic treatment for appendicitis during pregnancy: retrospective cohort study Adnexal torsion during pregnancy: outcomes after surgical intervention-a retrospective case-control study Non-obstetric surgery during pregnancy - an eleven-year retrospective analysis Anesthesia for nonobstetric surgery in pregnancy Oncologic and obstetrical outcomes with fertility-sparing treatment of cervical cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis First trimester placental volume is reduced in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy associated with small for gestational age fetus The placental basis of fetal growth restriction The double life-saving approach of abdominal radical Trachelectomy during pregnancy for early-stage cervical Cancer-an overview of the literature and our institutional experience Treatment of pregnant breast cancer patients and outcomes of children exposed to chemotherapy in utero Cancer during pregnancy: a review of preclinical and clinical Transplacental transfer of anticancer agents Cancer and pregnancy: a comprehensive review Neoadjuvant chemotherapy in cervical cancer in pregnancy Efficacy of neoadjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy during the second and third trimester of pregnancy in women with cervical cancer: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis International incidence of childhood cancer 2001-10: a population-based registry study Clinical efficacy of modified preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced (stage IB2 to IIB) cervical cancer: randomized study Phase II clinical study of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with CDDP/CPT-11 regimen in combination with radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer with a bulky mass Gynecologic cancers in pregnancy: guidelines based on a third international consensus meeting Download references There is no source of financial support or funding Mina Itsukaichi and Kosuke Yoshihara contributed equally to this work Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences All authors were responsible for project development and read and approved the final manuscript This study was approved by the institutional ethics review board at Niigata University (No Written informed consent was obtained from all patients All methods were performed in accordance with the relevant guidelines and regulations including Declaration of Helsinki The authors declare that they have no competing interests Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations Image of fetal heart monitoring during surgery the fetal heart rate was measured every 30 min to check for bradycardia Images of cervical cerclage of neo cervix and closure of neo external os Left panel shows the image after trachelectomy Right panel demonstrated cervical cerclage and os closure unless otherwise stated in a credit line to the data Download citation DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-022-04671-6 Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: a shareable link is not currently available for this article To get to Minamizawa Ajisai Mountain from central Tokyo involves a 75-minute train trip starting with the Chūō line from the JR Shinjuku Station with transfers to the Ōme and Itsukaichi lines and then a 40-minute walk from Musashi Itsukaichi Station at the end of the Itsukaichi line An impish elf welcomes visitors to the entrance of Minamizawa Ajisai Mountain The wood carving is the work of local sculptor Tomonaga Akimitsu The pathway up the mountain winds its way through a breathtaking expanse of hydrangea blossoms extending along the path and down the steep slopes bordering a stream below More than 10,000 tourists come to enjoy the sight during the peak of the hydrangea season from mid-June to early July Minamizawa Ajisai Mountain is owned by Minamizawa Chūichi known affectionately by the nickname “Chūitchan,” a remarkable 92-year-old who tends to this life-long project as the seventeenth-generation head of the local Minamizawa family he has worked alone to transform what was once a cedar forest into lush hydrangea shrubbery Any journey of a thousand miles must begin with a first step “My ancestors’ graves are on the mountain I just thought it would be nice if we could walk up a flower-lined path on our visits to the family graveyard.” Chūichi was the second son of a family with six boys and three girls In the postwar era of reconstruction Chūichi started his own Minamizawa Lumber Company at the age of 27 “In this region, Obon when the spirits of the departed are believed to visit the homes of the living and so I took some saplings from two hydrangea bushes in my garden and planted them on the mountain path.” The replanted hydrangeas bloomed beautifully Chūichi and his daughter Since turning in his driver’s license when he turned 90 Chūichi depends on Kazue to drive him up to the mountain every day in her little truck Chūichi began cultivating hydrangea shoots in the family vegetable garden I learned everything directly from the flowers.” Chūichi was able to extend his hydrangea-lined path to the family graveyard his magnificent creation had become well-known and more and more people came to walk the mountain path and enjoy the blossoms when people tell you how pretty your flowers are reaching the mountain top and beyond to include the paths leading to Mount Konpira and the Seoto hot springs and spreading out along the slopes in between Blue and white hydrangea blossoms line the mountain path Hydrangeas cover the ground in a cedar forest at roughly 360 meters of elevation To ensure that his hydrangeas would get enough sunlight Chūichi had to thin out the cedar forests and climb trees to prune their branches while at the same time managing his lumber company “You can’t ask someone to do something that is not going to make any money I got up at four every morning to work on the mountain before going to my office Back then the company was only closed on the first and third Sundays of the month On those days I worked on the mountain all day getting so dirty I had to change my clothes completely three or four times I gave my dirty clothes to the wife to launder but I’ve been told when I wasn’t around she spoke with pride of our Ajisai Mountain.” The hydrangeas of Minamizawa Ajisai Mountain Chūichi tended to Ajisai Mountain by himself Another person to step up was Miyazaki Shōsaku a retired teacher from an elementary school in central Tokyo who moved to the area to live in a house his father had purchased Calling on local residents and his former pupils Miyazaki formed a group of supporters called the Hana no Kai (Flower Association) and currently acts as a liaison with the local administration Still another person moved by Chūichi’s dedication is Tomonaga Akimitsu who act as guideposts on the route to Minamizawa Ajisai Mountain from Musashi Itsukaichi Station Tomonaga created the puppets for Purinpurin Monogatari a series broadcast by NHK from 1979 to 1982 he moved to the area and built a studio and home near Ajisai Mountain He has since created his own museum out of a 150-year-old farmhouse which opened in 2002 as the Fukasawa Tiny Museum “I got to know Chūichi when I was thinking about digging a pond and putting in koi carp He has his own koi pond and gives me a lot of advice.” When it was decided to set up guideposts for visitors to Ajisai Mountain Chūichi cut down some of his own trees and gave them to Tomonaga to carve Located about a 15-minute walk from Ajisai Mountain the whimsical museum opens onto a cobblestone approach Tomonaga was born in 1944 the town of Shimanto On display in his museum are the puppets from the NHK series Purinpurin Monogatari Chūichi has remained the mainstay of the Ajisai Mountain project With the approach of his ninetieth birthday “I need to find someone to take over while I am still in good health.” And that was when two young Akiruno entrepreneurs spoke up saying they would like to carry on in his footsteps Takamizu Ken and Minamishima Yūki were both born in 1990 and had been teammates on their university’s baseball team a company to develop and sell local Itsukaichi products as part of a town renewal project One of their specialty products was Amacha “Amacha is a mutated species of mountain hydrangea So we thought it would flourish on Ajisai Mountain We asked Chūichi if we could cultivate the plant at the summit of his mountain,” says Takamizu Chūitchan’s Ajisai Tea was first sold in 2019 about 500 ajisai tea (Amacha) shrubs are cultivated at the top of Ajisai Mountain in a field at 460-meter elevation The two were deeply moved by their encounter with Chūichi and his life story “Ajisai Mountain is a local treasure and an essential tourism resource for the city of Akiruno We didn’t know a thing about hydrangeas but we asked him if we could get involved somehow And so Takamizu and Minamishima apprenticed themselves to Chūichi Chūichi had opened up the mountain to the public for free for 30 years he placed a box at the entry to the mountain and asked for a voluntary donation of ¥300 per person Takamizu and his people stepped in and set up a reception counter during the hydrangea season charging ¥500 to enter and ¥500 for parking Their next step was to launch a crowdfunding campaign In 2021 Chūichi’s daughter Kazue opened her own dried flower studio Cazue above the family garage There she makes and sells wreaths and other products out of dried hydrangea cuttings from the summer Maintaining Ajisai Mountain as Chūichi’s successor is no easy task “The most back-breaking job is pruning It’s really difficult to decide which branches to cut and which to leave alone,” says Minamishima who works a dizzying schedule as he also manages his company’s café outside Musashi Itsukaichi Station and its campground Seeing his successors’ frantic efforts annoys Chūichi somewhat “How can it take so long to learn which branches to cut and which to leave There is always something that has to be done on the mountain The flowers and weather aren’t going to wait for you!” The two young men listen to Chūichi’s complaints in silence “If it were just a matter of tending to the hydrangeas I’m sure a professional gardener could do much better But that’s not enough to carry on the spirit with which Chūichi started this project We don’t know anything about hydrangeas but I’m confident we are more determined than anyone else when it comes to valuing his feelings and making sure this place gets handed on intact to future generations,” says Minamishima Chūichi smiles like a grandfather watching over his grandchildren I’ll keep going up the mountain to teach them But only the Buddha knows how long I can do that They are going to have to figure things out on their own.” Banner photo: Ajisai Mountain’s creator Minamizawa Chūichi Please upgrade to a more modern version to fully experience JapanToday site and for security reasons Some say fall is Japan’s greatest season. And don’t you feel like you’re missing most of it holed up in the city? Although nature can feel far away, spectacular displays of koyo (autumn viewing) foliage and Japan’s native fall flowers are only an hour or two away by public transit Make the most of your weekends with day trips out of the city this autumn that won’t break your budget or require you to rent a car to get there From photogenic bridges to fields of scarlet kochia (summer cypress) bushes, read on for your next-day trip getaway Akigawa Valley is the perfect place for a hike fantastic views and a relaxing soak in a hot spring the tourism center has plenty of maps and brochures detailing local attractions If you’re looking to take a trek through mountainous terrain or trace a path along the Akigawa River with the longest ones taking up to six hours to complete One of the highlights of the area is Ishibunebashi Bridge which is accessible via the Jyurigi Bus Stop just outside of the station this suspension bridge fully immerses you in the Akigawa River’s natural serenity and provides numerous vantage points to enjoy the valley’s autumn colors Looking to soothe your body after a day of hiking Continue onto the other side of the bridge and find the popular Seoto-no-yu Spa Whether you only have time for a free foot bath or a full-on dip in the onsen this hot spring is a lovely way to end your day trip before heading back into Tokyo’s hustle and bustle 1420 Tokura, Akiruno, Tokyo - Map Nearest station: JR Itsukaichi Musashi-Itsukaichi Kamakura has its fair share of attractions for day trippers from Tokyo Autumn travelers should make time for Hasedera Temple a site renowned for its seasonal flora which includes plum blossoms in the winter hydrangeas in the summer and Japanese maples in the fall the spiritual sibling of a temple by the same name in Nara houses a Kannon statue measuring over nine meters tall hundreds of jizo (small guardian statues protecting children) If you’re looking to take a break during your exploration of the temple complex check out Kaikoan Restaurant and enjoy the fantastic view alongside curries and pastas or opt for a snack at Teraya Cafe head to Hasedera between the end of November and the middle of December when the temple and its foliage are illuminated after sunset Take a walk around the temple grounds and marvel at the orange and red trees seemingly glowing against the night sky and reflected in the waters below Peak season: Late November to mid-December 3-11-2 Hase, Kamakura, Kanagawa - Map Click here to read more Join the leading Asian tourist attraction to assist our diverse range of customers The riverside in the Akiruno area has lots of spots to camp and relax on a day trip Really scenic spaces that aren't all concreted up Can't go wrong ever with Kamakura and I never get tired of cycling thru or walking around that area Driving and finding parking can be a nightmare though I meant the second photo for Akiruno but Okutama looks great too Myself and Mrs Elvis have had a many a good holiday there Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts A mix of what's trending on our other sites The charm and power of "The Flash" Asuna shines through in a beautiful new figure from Aquamarine inspired by her appearance in Sword Art Online the Movie: Ordinal Scale Sculpted by Satoshi Toda and painted by Ayumi Itsukaichi Asuna looks magical as she effortlessly jumps forward into battle She’s depicted wearing her Knights of the Blood uniform and is equipped with her rapier Lambent Light This effect was achieved by creating the rapier from translucent parts To add "The Flash" to your party, preorder her at Tokyo Otaku Mode 1/7 scale ABS & PVC figure with standFigure Height: 200 mm | 7.9" ©2016 川原 礫／ＫＡＤＯＫＡＷＡ　アスキー・メディアワークス刊／SAO MOVIE Project Featuring Kirito's Dark Repulser and Elucidator plus Asuna's Lambent Light Enter the world of ALfheim Online with Asuna Enjoy seeing Asuna in holiday mode with this gorgeous bikini figure Your request appears similar to malicious requests sent by robots Please make sure JavaScript is enabled and then try loading this page again. If you continue to be blocked, please send an email to secruxurity@sizetedistrict.cVmwom with: Today's print edition Home Delivery one evening in late August and a small group of hikers gathers outside the ticket gates at Musashi-Itsukaichi the final station on the Itsukaichi Line connecting the rural suburbs of western Tokyo The sun went down around 30 minutes earlier but there’s still a faint afterglow in the sky There’s not much wind and the humidity is high as is typical of summer in Japan.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); Donning a dark gray polo shirt and a light backpack Jun Nakano beckons the party toward a large map in the station to explain where they will be going tonight In a time of both misinformation and too much information quality journalism is more crucial than ever.By subscribing Your subscription plan doesn't allow commenting. To learn more see our FAQ Sponsored contents planned and edited by JT Media Enterprise Division please disable the ad blocking feature and reload the page This website uses cookies to collect information about your visit for purposes such as showing you personalized ads and content By clicking “Accept all,” you will allow the use of these cookies Users accessing this site from EEA countries and UK are unable to view this site without your consent Lush green mountains and crystal-clear waters greet visitors to Akigawa Valley a mere hour by train or car from central Tokyo Accessible from Musashi-Itsukaichi Station in the western Tokyo city of Akiruno the valley is a relaxing retreat where people can enjoy such outdoor activities as hiking local groups run nature schools for children After spending a day in the great outdoors soaking in the onsen hot springs at Akigawa Keikoku Seoto-no-yu Spa can be refreshing and relaxing boasts indoor and open-air baths and saunas that offer fantastic views of the valley Ishibunebashi Bridge — a pedestrian suspension bridge close to the spa — also affords spectacular views of the valley which is transformed into a sea of vivid reds and golden yellows when the leaves change color in the fall Our weekly ePaper presents the most noteworthy recent topics in an exciting © 2025 The Japan News - by The Yomiuri Shimbun 　滋賀県の三日月大造知事が広島県庁を訪れ、山根健嗣副知事と平和施策を巡って意見交換した。三日月知事は次世代に戦争や被爆の悲惨さを伝えるため被爆地との連携を強める.. 　今回の調査では、壁画制作が実現しなかった主な理由として、広島訪問から２年と経（た）たない間にヘリングが他界したことが挙げられるという結論に至った。５月１８日ま.. 　「核廃絶は使命。このままでは死ねない」。その決意を胸に、広島で被爆した金本弘さん（８０）＝名古屋市＝が４月３０日、米ニューヨークの国連本部に集った各国の外交官.. 　１９４６年５月１日。中国新聞社が雑誌「月刊中国」を創刊した。広島市上流川町（現中区）の本社で印刷。「雑誌と言へば中央と考へられてゐた旧観念を脱し、地方文化の昂.. 　いつからだろうか。喜びあふれる光景が大通りになじんできたのは。広島市中心部を東西に貫く平和大通りは今月、鶴見橋から新己斐橋までの約４キロが全通して６０年を迎え.. 　私は長崎で生まれ育ったが、反戦・反核に対する思いが絶えず心の中で燃えていたかといえばそうではない。平穏に、平凡に暮らしてきた。それでも、先人たちの話を聞きなが.. 　中村キース・ヘリング美術館で５月１８日まで開催中の「Ｋｅｉｔｈ　Ｈａｒｉｎｇ：　Ｉｎｔｏ　２０２５　誰がそれをのぞむのか」展は、ヘリングの幼少期を振り返ること.. 　１９６６年、１９歳で中学を卒業した川下ヒロエさん（７９）＝広島市東区＝はこの年、被爆者健康手帳を取得した。当時住んでいたのは北九州市。母兼子さん（２０１４年に.. 　国際社会は危機感を持ち、歯止めの議論に入るべきだ。スウェーデンのストックホルム国際平和研究所（ＳＩＰＲＩ）が、２０２４年の世界の軍事費支出を発表した。２兆７１.. 　動物文学で知られる椋鳩十（むくはとじゅう）に、おどろおどろしい題名の異色作がある。「地獄島とロシア水兵」だ。舞台は萩の沖合４５キロに浮かぶ見島。１２０年前の５.. 　全ての命を守るため―をテーマに掲げていた。ローマ教皇フランシスコによる６年前の来日である。被爆地広島、長崎のほか、地震・津波・原発事故という三重の災害に見舞わ.. 俳優の吉永小百合さんは、これまで胎内被爆者の芸者を演じた「夢千代日記」などに出演してきたほか、原爆詩朗読CD「第二楽章」を制作しています。中国新聞創刊１３０周年記念として、３編の朗読映像を公開します。(写真は三浦憲治氏撮影) 中国軍管区司令部で被爆した八木さんの革脚絆＝１９７３年、八木実さん寄贈（撮影・山田尚弘） Japan’s 47 prefectures were established in the years after the Meiji Restoration to replace the former provinces Divisions similar to those currently in place have existed since 1888 The provinces had been around for many centuries and even today their names appear in the names of places Here we introduce the old names for the Kantō region where Tokyo and six other prefectures can now be found which runs from Kawasaki Station to Tachikawa Station there are four stations that use the kanji 武蔵 (Musashi): Musashi-Kosugi there are 21 stations that use the name Musashi across the prefectures of Kanagawa They are spread over a wide area with Musashi-Itsukaichi in Akiruno the furthest west and Musashi-Ranzan in Ranzan Musashi was the name of the province that covered almost all of Tokyo and Saitama and also Kawasaki and Yokohama (excluding some western wards). The name was used up until the current administrative divisions were formed. Incidentally, it is no coincidence that the height of Tokyo Skytree is 634 meters. Based on goroawase number wordplay the structure provides a perfect view over the former Musashi Province Sagami Province was located in Kanagawa Prefecture it may seem that Musashi appropriated all the big cities Yokohama was a small fishing village until it rose to prominence as a base for foreign trade with the opening of its port in 1859 Sagami was the location for the shogunate in Kamakura and during the Warring States period (1467–1568) the province’s Odawara flourished as the castle town of the powerful Later Hōjō clan Chiba Prefecture is also known as 房総半島 (the Bōsō Peninsula) which is based on kanji from the old province names 安房 (Awa) The kanji 総 (fusa) is an old word for “hemp,” which was cultivated by the Shikoku clan said to have traveled to the area on the Kuroshio Current The ancient province of Fusa later split into three parts it may seem strange that although 上 means up and 下 means down This naming is actually related to the distance they are from the capital as people crossed to the Bōsō Peninsula by sea from Sagami Province it meant the southern side of the peninsula This principle of distance also applies to 上野 (Kōzuke) and 下野 (Shimotsuke) Originally known as 毛野国 (referred to as both Keno and Kenu Province) the area was then divided into 上毛野国 (Kamitsuke Province) and 下毛野国 (Shimotsuke Province) although the kanji 毛 (ke) stopped being used in the province name it can still be found in a number of other names like 上毛三山 (Jōmō-Sanzan) the three famous mountains of Gunma Prefecture: Mount Akagi It also appears in 両毛線 (the JR Ryōmō Line) which runs between Takasaki in Gunma Prefecture and Oyama in Tochigi Prefecture an ancient chronicle compiled in the early eighth century Hitachi is described as a paradise blessed by fertile mountains and the sea kanji from 常陸 (Hitachi) and 磐城 (Iwaki now Fukushima Prefecture) were combined to indicate the Jōban (常磐) area which became known as a coal-producing region near the capital The JR Jōban Line today links this area to Tokyo As one of the leading electronics makers in Japan has a history of more than 107 years promoting the international standardization of the electro-technology served as a member of the preparatory meeting and attended the official inauguration of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) in London Japan was the only Asian country present at the inauguration meeting and Fujioka made progressive comments there As a multi-tiered maker involved in the production of everything from heavy electric machinery such as power generators through to household appliances each division has developed its products with international standardization in mind This trend became especially strong after World War II as Japan's economy developed tremendously and the company reacted by becoming more business-oriented.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); the World Trade Organization was established settling on the mission of promoting international trade on a global scale "This became the turning point for the IEC to become more strategic and under the guidance of the Ministry of Trade Toshiba employees have actively attended IEC's Technical Committees (TC) in whichever fields we are involved in," explained Atsushi Itsukaichi Chief Specialist of the Technology Planning Office Technology and Innovation Division of Toshiba Corporation While many have cursed the early arrival of rainy season this year the moisture-loving insects such as the firefly are likely to be in heaven must be hoping that the rain stays off this Saturday evening for the annual Firefly Festival Large numbers of visitors from the surrounding areas are expected to swarm to the city's Hotaru Park to watch the riverbanks light up The best viewing time is said to be from around 7 p.m there will also be a whole host of traditional food stalls and other festivities taking place along the town's streets throughout the day.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); The appropriately named Hotaru Park ("hotaru" is the Japanese word for "firefly") is situated next to the city's meandering Tsuri River Local hearsay has it that the lightening bugs are secretly released for the festival by a small group of locals that breed them during the year Both the river and the park have since become notable for their abundant amount of fireflies with local authorities having even invested in a special hotaru no yakata (firefly house) to watch the seasonal display from While the celebrations are just a one-day event the fireflies will be around for a few weeks longer A stroll along the riverside toward the mountains could make for a pleasant summer evening The Firefly Festival takes place at Hotaru Park in Fussa The park is a five-minute walk from Ushihama Station on the Ome Line and Kumagawa Station on the JR Itsukaichi Line Sponsored contents planned and edited by JT Media Enterprise Division.