Tuesday, January 16, 2024
The Hokuryu-cho Welfare Association for the Physically Challenged General Meeting and New Year's Party were held at 11:00 a.m. on January 15, 2024 (Monday) at the Hokuryu-cho Senior Citizens Welfare Center.
Hokuryu-cho Welfare Association for the Physically Challenged, General Meeting
A total of eight people, including Chairman Yoshiharu Yamashita, Vice Chairman Iwao Motobu, the secretariat, and members, participated in the meeting.
Mayor Yutaka Sano and Resident Division Director Naohiro Hosokawa attended the New Year's party and delivered speeches.
Opening Remarks: Yoshiharu Yamashita, Chairman
As you all know, the population of the world is declining, and so is the population of Hokuryu Town. And the membership of the Association for the Physically Handicapped and other organizations is also on the decline. In addition, it is difficult to ascertain the number of physically handicapped people in the town.
There are two types of physical disabilities, depending on how they are perceived.
One is someone who accepts and recognizes the disability and is willing to take the initiative to enjoy the environment.
The other is those who want to hide their disability and dare not express it.
I think the challenge for the future is for us physically challenged people ourselves to practice breaking down the barriers of those who try to hide their disabilities.
Every year, a convention for the disabled was held in the Sorachi area, but due to various circumstances, it is expected to be cancelled this year. Instead, another event is scheduled to be held.
The physically handicapped people of Hokuryu Town are not young.
In life, we hope that you will enjoy living in spite of your disabilities. I hope we can all enjoy various events together this year. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Chairman of the General Meeting: Yoshiharu Yamashita, Chairman
Explanation of Agenda: Michito Nakamura, Executive Director
general meeting plan
- Business Report and Settlement of Accounts for FY2023
Audit Report - Business Plan (Draft) and Income and Expenditure Budget (Draft) for FY2024
- Other
New Year's party
Opening Remarks: Yoshiharu Yamashita, Chairman
Happy New Year!
Just as I was thinking that this year was going to be a good year, with the New Year's day coming with hope and the first sunrise of the year, the Noto Peninsula earthquake struck on New Year's Day, causing serious damage.
On the 2nd, a collision between a Japan Airlines plane and a Coast Guard plane occurred, and the situation that endangered the world expanded in rapid succession.
The ruling party won the presidential election in Taiwan, and the Japanese government also experienced an outbreak of the political fund party income slush fund issue.
Under such circumstances, our town is relieved that three council members were elected unopposed in the supplementary election for council members.
In addition, there is a mayoral election coming up in February, and although the two candidates will divide the town in two, I have high hopes that the town will gradually come together and move toward a positive trend after that.
The population of Hokuryu Town is expected to decline in the future, but I would like to continue to develop the town as much as I can and enjoy my life as a handicapped person as much as possible.
The mayor of the town of Sano and the head of the Residents Section attend every New Year's party of the Association for the Physically Challenged. We feel that this is proof of the mayor's and section chief's passion for the physically challenged.
No matter how small the number of people and how small the organization, in Hokuryu Town, the administration with warm feelings has been continued and cultivated over the years.
No matter how small our numbers become, we would like to continue as long as possible. We would like to move forward with dreams and hopes in our various activities in the future. Thank you very much."
Greeting from Mayor Yutaka Sano
Happy New Year, everyone!
It has been a harsh winter. I thought New Year's was relatively mild and good, but now we are facing a really harsh winter with snow falling every day.
As we are still in the early stages of the season, I would like to ask you to take care of your health and welcome a warm spring.
As Chairman Yamashita mentioned, on the evening of New Year's Day, a major earthquake of intensity 7 occurred on the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture. Many people were killed, and those who were affected are still having a very difficult life, as there is still no prospect for recovery. We offer a silent prayer for the victims and hope for the speedy recovery of the affected people.
As you know, this year's zodiac sign is the Year of the Dragon. The year of the dragon, or dragon, is said to be the year in which we grow strong into the sky and overcome any hardship we may face. Or it is said to be the year of strong faith.
I am convinced that the year of the dragon will be a year of good fortune for the town of Hokuryu as well. I hope that it will be a year of aggressive and bold challenges in everything.
Nowadays, Hokuryu Town is suffering from a declining population, a lack of agricultural and industrial workers, and many problems that cannot be solved in local public transportation, causing great inconvenience to residents and students commuting to school. I hope that this year will be a year of great dreams and hopes, and that the courage of the sunflowers will make this year a year of energy and vitality.
As for regional public transportation, the Sorachi Chuo Bus bound for Fukagawa will be discontinued at the end of March, but for the time being, it is planned to operate to Imoseguro Town and from there to Takikawa and Fukagawa. Eventually, once a driver has been selected, we plan to create a system that directly operates the bus to Fukagawa, Takikawa, and the rest of the town.
It is difficult for me to say this, as I will be stepping down in a little over a month, but the deputy mayor and other staff members are currently giving this matter a thorough review. We would like to establish a regional public transportation system as soon as possible.
Let me begin my New Year's greeting by wishing you all a wonderful year ahead.
Naohiro Hosokawa, Resident Manager Introduction
New Year's party with traditional dinner & games
The annual New Year's party dinner and games was cancelled due to various reasons. The bento lunches were handmade by "Ajiro Yahachi" in Hokuryu-cho.
With boundless love, gratitude, and prayers to the Hokuryu Town Welfare Association for the Physically Challenged, which accepts all disabilities as they are, walks with them, and enjoys life to the fullest in a cheerful and energetic manner.
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◇ Reporting and writing by Ikuko Terauchi (Photography and editorial assistance by Noboru Terauchi)
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