A Menstrual Environment Improvement Project is Being Promoted in Homa Bay County, Kenya.

A symposium titled “Residents Changed, and the Community Changed Too,” organized by the certified NPO “Japan Habitat Association,” will be held on August 21 at Pacifico Yokohama (Minato Mirai, Nishi Ward, Yokohama City). This event is part of the thematic events of the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9).

The association, in collaboration with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), is promoting community-led town development in Kenya through toilet construction and menstrual hygiene improvement.

Factors hindering women’s social participation in Kenya include difficulties in obtaining menstrual products and prejudices related to sexuality. The Japan Habitat Association is simultaneously advancing women’s empowerment and regional development through menstrual education, support for making handmade menstrual products, and agricultural technology guidance.

At the symposium, the Secretary-General of UN-Habitat will visit Japan for the first time and deliver a lecture titled “Towards a Society Where Kenyan Women Can Flourish.” A talk session will feature two women leading the menstrual environment improvement project in Kenya, who will discuss NGO-corporate collaboration and introduce the practices and outcomes of community-led projects.

The event will be held on the 21st from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM at Pacifico Yokohama Exhibition Hall D, Medium Venue (S-07). Admission is free, and no prior registration is required.

The manager and staff of 'Bashamichi 8,' one of the stores distributing fans.

The Manager and Staff of ‘Bashamichi 8,’ One of the Stores Distributing Fans.

Ahead of the TUBE concert at Yokohama Stadium on August 23, the Kannai Town Development Promotion Association is currently distributing “Kannai TUBE Fans” in collaboration with the concert.

TUBE is a rock band that debuted on June 1, 1985, and their concerts at Yokohama Stadium began in 1988. This year marks their 40th anniversary, and the event is titled “TUBE 40th. Anniversary Live ‘TUBE LIVE AROUND SPECIAL 2025 TUBE × 40SUMMERS’.”

The “Kannai TUBE Fans” are being distributed at 41 stores around Yokohama Stadium, including Kannai and Yokohama Chinatown. While this is an annual event coinciding with the concert, this year, along with fan distribution, stickers are also being offered to the first 300 customers at each store as a tribute to the 40th anniversary.

Additionally, the “TUBE-1 Grand Prix” is being held at each store, offering collaborative menu items that please TUBE and their fans. The 2025 TUBE-1 Grand Prix will be determined by aggregating social media mentions. Menu items include “Nanaya’s ‘Ah~ Snack Platter You’d Want to Eat During Summer Vacation’ (4-item assortment for 550 yen)” and “Yokohama Market Shokudo’s ‘Season in the Coffee Jelly Float’ (550 yen),” inspired by TUBE’s songs and phrases.

TUBE considers Yokohama Stadium their “home ground,” and a commemorative panel exhibition titled “TUBE × Yokohama Stadium” is being held for the first time in seven years since 2018. On the day of the live event, a photo panel exhibition will be held at the Sanno Plaza inside Japan-Ōdōri Station on the Minatomirai Line, near the stadium, featuring photos from past concerts at Yokohama Stadium and the history of their solo live performances in Hawaii.

The fan distribution will continue until each store’s stock runs out. A certain number of fans will be separately reserved and distributed on the day of the live event.

Pacifico Yokohama

Pacifico Yokohama is a major convention and exhibition center complex located in the Minato Mirai 21 district of Yokohama, Japan. It first opened in 1991 and was expanded in subsequent years to become one of the country’s largest facilities for international conferences, trade shows, and cultural events. Its development was a key part of Yokohama’s urban renewal project, transforming former dockyards into a modern waterfront business and cultural hub.

Tokyo International Conference on African Development

The Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) is a major international forum, co-hosted by Japan and international partners, that was launched in 1993 to promote high-level policy dialogue between African leaders and development partners. It focuses on fostering economic growth, trade, and investment in Africa, with an emphasis on ownership and partnership.

UN-Habitat

UN-Habitat, formally the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, is the UN agency dedicated to promoting socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. It was established in 1978 following the first UN Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat I) to address the challenges of rapid urbanization. Its mandate is to achieve adequate shelter for all and to support the development of sustainable communities.

Yokohama Stadium

Yokohama Stadium is a baseball stadium that opened in 1978 and serves as the home field for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars. It was built on the former site of a US military facility and is notable for being one of the first stadiums in Japan to use natural grass.

Kannai

Kannai is a historic district in Yokohama, Japan, that served as the core of the city’s foreign settlement after the port opened to international trade in 1859. Today, it is a major business and administrative center, known for its blend of Western-style Meiji-era buildings and modern high-rises.

Yokohama Chinatown

Yokohama Chinatown is the largest Chinatown in Japan, established in the late 19th century following the opening of Yokohama’s port to foreign trade. Today, it is a vibrant cultural and culinary hub, famous for its hundreds of Chinese restaurants, shops, and colorful gates, which celebrate the heritage of its Chinese community.

Minatomirai Line

The Minatomirai Line is a subway line in Yokohama, Japan, which began operations in 2004. It connects the city’s major business and tourist districts, including the Minato Mirai 21 waterfront area, to the rest of the metropolitan rail network.

Japan-Ōdōri Station

Ōdōri Station is a major subway station in Sapporo, Japan, serving as the central hub of the city’s underground system. It takes its name from the iconic Ōdōri Park located directly above it, which was originally established in 1871 as a firebreak for the planned city. The station provides direct access to major events like the famous Sapporo Snow Festival, which is held in the park annually.