A magnificent first sunrise emerging from the thick fog at Karatsu Nagoya Incline
As the New Year 2016 approached, Saga Prefecture was shrouded in thick fog. However, here at the Nagoya Inclined Shaft in Chinzei-cho, Karatsu City, a clear morning greeted us. Our first report of the year will be a glorious first sunrise.
At 7:38 AM, the first day began to appear from the Uwaba Plateau on the Higashimatsuura Peninsula to the east. 2016 had arrived. Light gradually spread across the pitch-black tunnel grounds. The four minutes it took for the tip of the light to spread westward was truly a majestic moment, reminiscent of "Asaka kita." The tunnel's facilities and buildings appeared in the sunlight, and the familiar daytime scenery surrounded them.
With the dramatic compromise between the two governments just four days before the end of last year, marking the 50th anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations between Japan and South Korea, it feels as though the Japan-Korea Tunnel Project, which has been building up over the years, will make a big leap forward this year. The first tunnel site visit of the year was by 40 Korean middle and high school students. On January 5th, the children from Jeolla and Gyeonggi provinces took advantage of their holiday to visit Japanese culture and hot springs. It is important that the children who will shape the future of Japan and South Korea understand the significance of the Japan-Korea Tunnel and experience the site for themselves. The tunnel project is already connecting Japan and South Korea.
I would like to extend my best wishes to all those who are supporting the International Highway and Japan-Korea Tunnel Project, to the people of both countries, and to everyone around the world this year. Thank you for your continued support.
[Photo] At 7:42 a.m., the first day of 2016 takes shape on the listed plateau.
[Photo] First day begins to illuminate the grounds and buildings
[Photo] The first visitors of the year were middle and high school students from Jeolla and Gyeonggi provinces, South Korea, on January 5th.
