On July 23rd and 24th, 16 members of the Shiga Prefectural Council for the Promotion of the Japan-Korea Tunnel visited the inclined tunnel sites in Karatsu and Tsushima. This time, the delegation was led by Osamu Uno, chairman of the National Council for the Promotion of the Japan-Korea Tunnel (which also serves as chairman of the Shiga Prefectural Council), and included prefectural and city assembly members, making this a memorable visit in the history of inspections to date.
Amemori Hoshu, who served as the Japanese representative for the "Korean Envoys" of the Edo period, which was designated a UNESCO Memory of the World last fall, was born in Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture, and Chairman Uno is also a descendant of the people who offered their home as lodgings for the Korean envoys as they arrived in Japan and headed for Edo. Furthermore, he served as the Shiga Prefecture representative for the Japan-Korea Tunnel, and was appointed as the representative of the national conference in November last year. Tsushima has suddenly become a national phenomenon.
On the afternoon of the 23rd, the group descended to the 540m tip of the Karatsu inclined tunnel, stroking the excavated wall and exclaiming, "You can't really understand how serious they are unless you're here." Chairman Uno said, "The site was better than I expected, and it was clear they were serious about it." An elderly woman who came with her husband also spoke of her enthusiasm for the Japan-Korea tunnel, saying, "I've supported my husband's city council activities until now, but now I have a new goal."
On the 24th, a scorching hot morning arrived on Tsushima, two degrees cooler than the mainland, where the group immediately paid their respects at the grave of Amenomori Hoshu, who rests on the outskirts of the city. With hearts beating fast for this local hero resting on a small hill surrounded by bamboo forests, the group made the ascent to the summit in one go. Chairman Uno laid flowers and expressed gratitude for the legacy of this proud ancestor who dedicated himself to promoting friendship between Japan and Korea 300 years ago. Afterward, the group visited the Are Inclined Shaft construction site on the west coast. While only the entrance has been completed so far, Foundation Chairman Hirofumi Sato said, "We are trying to build something identical to the one in Karatsu. We are working hard to make it a national project, so that the leaders of Japan and South Korea can hold a signing ceremony here on Tsushima." This reassured the group's determination to return to Shiga and continue their efforts.
[Photo] Chairman Osamu Uno lays flowers at the grave of Professor Hoshu Amemori
[Photo] At the entrance to the Are Inclined Shaft in Tsushima. "Now, let's go to Korea through the undersea tunnel!"
