Govenor's Greeting
Govenor of Saitama Prefecture  Kiyoshi Ueda

 Saitama, at the Forefront with Infinite Possibilities

 Saitama Prefecture is situated in the center of the Kanto Plain with convenient transportation, abundant nature, and various industries to meet the needs of the massive Greater Tokyo market. More than 7 million citizens, whose average age ranks the second youngest in the country, live in Saitama Prefecture. The visions of tomorrow are here in Saitama.
 Reforming the economy, welfare, and gender equality are today’s main issues in Japan. In the past, three great people from Saitama Prefecture contributed key foundations for solving these issues. Eiichi Shibusawa laid the foundation of the modern Japanese economy. Hokiichi Hanawa, although blind, edited “Gunsho Ruiju” (The Japanese Historical Dictionary). Ginko Ogino became the first female medical doctor in Japan. In Saitama Prefecture, the spirit of these three forerunners has been handed down through the generations.
 I believe that Saitama Prefecture is at the forefront of Japan with infinite possibilities. I will devote all my energy to running the prefectural government with speed, smile and spirit, to lead Saitama in becoming the number one prefecture in Japan.

The Great People of Saitama Prefecture

  Eiichi Shibusawa

 　Shibusawa was born in Chiaraijima Village (currently known as Fukaya City) in 1840. In France, he studied about the European Economical System and Modern Technology, under the reign of the 15th Shogun, Yoshinobu Tokugawa. After his return to Japan, he was involved with the establishment of the rail system, paper-manufacturing, and ship building, as well as the First National Bank (the first bank in Japan). He also devoted himself to more than six hundred social cases. (Photograph courtesy of Shibusawa Historic Museum)

 Hokiichi Hanawa

 Hanawa was born in Hokinomura Village (currently known Kodama Town) in 1746. At the age of 7, he lost his eyesight due to disease. In 1779 he began collecting, classifying, and publishing the historical records and materials scatteredaround Japan. The compilation “Gunsho Ruiju” (The Japanese Historical Dictionary) is still used today as an essential guide for historic research.

  Ginko Ogino

  Ogino was born in Tawarase Village (currently known as Menuma Town) in 1851. After being treated by a gynecologist, she became aware of the need for female medical doctors, and became determined to become one herself. However, women were not allowed to take the examination to obtain a medical license at that time. She succeeded in revising the system, passed the examination and became the first female medical doctor in Japan. She devoted herself to improving healthcare for women and spreading the knowledge of health in general.