■20 members of the Hiroshima Prefectural Council for the Promotion of the Japan-Korea Tunnel visit the Tsushima Incline Shaft site
The director reports on the progress at the renewal office
"Let's see the site first," said Mitani Tsumiki, chairman of the Prefectural Residents' Council, who suggested the visit. "In order to move forward with the tunnel project, we must first see the current situation with our own eyes." The chairman made the decision after the inclined tunnel entrance was completed facing west on the west coast of Tsushima, an island that forms the border between Japan and Korea and the Korean Peninsula.
On June 27th, a 20-person delegation from the Hiroshima Prefectural Council for the Promotion of the Japan-Korea Tunnel visited the Tsushima office and the inclined shaft site. After watching the foundation's official DVD video, Director Katsuno Uchiyama gave an overview of the tunnel project and its current status. They asked lively questions, including "What is the local reaction?" and "How far has the project progressed in Korea?" They then headed to the Are Inclined Shaft site. Despite the light rain, they touched the rock cliffs and concrete tunnel walls, nodded in agreement as the director explained, and climbed up to the planned winch installation site to check out the site. "It really hit me that this is where the tunnel will connect to Korea," said one of the delegations.
The next day, the group visited Iki, and on their way home they experienced the ancient transportation route from Tsushima to Hiroshima. Hiroshima was the world's first atomic bomb site, and in May, President Obama became the first U.S. president to visit the Peace Memorial Park and Atomic Bomb Dome, making it a harbinger of world peace. There is also great interest in Japan-Korea relations, as the city was once a post station for Korean envoys during the Edo period. Hopes are high that the tunnel project will make great strides from Hiroshima.
The office was renovated on June 14th, and this was the first time the inspection team was welcomed. We look forward to the inspection team's visit, with the idea that "the Japan-Korea agreement on the tunnel will be reached here on Tsushima, from this office."
[Photo] Hiroshima Prefectural Citizens' Council, the most enthusiastic and conscious member of the Hiroshima Prefectural Council for World Peace, listens attentively to Director Uchiyama's talk on the progress of the project.
[Photo] The questions never stop, and the conversation is lively and enthusiastic. Mr. Tsutomu Mitani, Chairman of the Hiroshima Prefectural Citizens' Council, is asked a question.
[Photo] Experience the inclined shaft site by stepping on it with your own feet, breathing the air, and touching it.
[Photo] On May 5th, the renovation of the slate roof to a tin-plated roof was completed. The Tsushima office has been remodeled to look like a shrine office.
[Photo] On June 14th, the minimum necessary environment was prepared to welcome the inspection team, with office equipment and reception sets in place.
