Friday, June 5, 2009

The Prime Minister Receives a Courtesy Call from the Miss Plum Girls of Kishu Plum Society

On June 5, a day ahead of Plum Day, Prime Minister Taro Aso received a courtesy call at the Prime Minister's Office from Ms. Sayaka Matsumoto and Ms. Toshiko Goto -- the Miss Plum Girls who conduct PR campaigns for plums, a local specialty of Wakayama Prefecture. The Miss Plum Girls presented the Prime Minister with Nanko plums and distilled liquor made of plum, among other gifts.

In celebration of Plum Day, June 6, Kishu Plum Society conducts various events to promote the charm of plums nationwide, including Umesaishiki (plum ceremony) at Kumano Hongu Taisya Shrine, "Today is Plum Day -- Wakayama Plum Fair" at Ota market in Tokyo, and Umehono (plum dedication ceremony) at Kyoto Kamo Jinja Shrine, which originated Plum Day.