Sapporo Hokuryu Festival 2024: Residents of Hokuryu Town and their families united in spirit

Wednesday, July 3, 2024

The 2024 Sapporo Hokuryu Festival was held on Sunday, June 30th from 6:00 p.m. in the Gyokuyo Room on the second floor of Sapporo Sunplaza (Sapporo City).

Sapporo Hokuryu Festival 2024

Sapporo Hokuryu-kai

The Sapporo Hokuryu-kai is a social gathering for people from Hokuryu Town. It started as a gathering for people who had moved from Hokuryu Town to the Sapporo area to exchange information and deepen their connections.

A total of 21 people from Kitaryū Town, including council members and town hall staff, as well as our members, participated, for a total of 49 people.

Opening

The general moderator will be auditor Kenji Miyawaki.

Chairman's greeting: Chairman Takashi Takebayashi

"Good evening everyone!
At the general meeting just now, I was asked to take on the role of chairman. I am not naturally qualified for such a role, but I accepted the position after receiving strong recommendations from Chairman Konishi and my senior colleagues.

I have not been involved with this group for very long, but I would like to continue working with you all with your support and cooperation, so I would appreciate your continued support.

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, this was the first time this group's social gathering had been held in four years, since it was last held in November last year.

This year, we were able to hold the general meeting and social gathering as usual. I'm sure there were some members who we hadn't seen in a long time, but I'm truly grateful to see everyone looking healthy and happy.

Today, over 20 people from my hometown of Hokuryu Town participated in the event. I am grateful that so many people came from far away, even though it was a Sunday. I am deeply touched. Thank you very much.

As you all know, there is a new mayor this year.

Former Mayor Sano is also attending today, and during his three terms of 12 years in office, he worked hard for his local town of Hokuryu, despite the difficult circumstances of the coronavirus and continued population decline.

He has left behind many accomplishments, including the unprecedented task of building a new commercial facility, constructing a nursery school, and starting a sunflower oil recycling project. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to him for protecting and developing our hometown. Thank you very much.

In addition, Mr. Sasaki has been appointed as the new mayor. As you all know, Mr. Sasaki's family business is Sasaki Construction, which has now merged with other companies to form Hokuso Construction. He ran the company, but became a council member at the young age of 30, and served as town council chairman from 2006 until last year. He knows the situation and challenges of Hokuryu Town inside and out.

I am encouraged that such a person will be taking on the leadership role in Hokuryu Town. I hope that he will take good care of his health and demonstrate his abilities.

Chairman Nakamura was appointed in November of last year. He is also an expert at making soba noodles. And as of tomorrow, Mr. Okuda will be appointed as Deputy Mayor. I hope that all of you in attendance from Hokuryu Town will be active in your respective positions.

Since our Sapporo Hokuryu Association was founded in 1968, we have been involved in various initiatives to promote friendship among people from Hokuryu Town and support our hometown.

Although we are getting older, we would like to continue these activities in the future. However, we would like to invite new people to join the group. If you are from Hokuryu Town and live in Sapporo, please feel free to contact us or contact the secretariat, and we will be happy to provide you with information.

"Today, the auditors have been putting a lot of thought into various aspects of the meeting, so although we have limited time, I hope you will enjoy the time and deepen your friendships. I would like to express my gratitude to everyone once again and conclude my opening remarks. Thank you for your cooperation today. Thank you very much," said Chairman Takebayashi.

Introducing the guests: Introducing the participants from Hokuryu Town

Guest speech: Mayor Yasuhiro Sasaki of Hokuryu Town

"I became the seventh mayor on February 22nd of this year. I would like to move forward while following the solid policy path of the previous mayor, Mr. Sano.

Congratulations to Chairman Takebayashi, who is starting today. He is a very considerate person, so Mr. Sano, myself, and Mr. Nakamura were so kind to us that we received such detailed words of praise. We could really feel his feelings for his hometown of Hokuryu.

The previous chairman, Mr. Konishi, was the head of development administration and a national institution, and he firmly established the entire family. And Mr. Takebayashi, as Director of Agriculture Policy, demonstrated leadership at a time when the country was facing the most difficult times. We have inherited the responsibilities of two very important people, and I would like to offer my support in various ways.

I will be reporting later on about Hokuryu Town, including agriculture, tourism, and the Chamber of Commerce.

Hokuryu Town is a small but shining town. The population of Hokuryu Town was previously 6,443, but as of June 1st it has fallen to 1,612. This is not unique to Hokuryu Town, but we would like to continue to build a strong town that shines brightly even though it is small.

The weather has been good for the past week, and life in Hokuryu has been very busy. On June 27th and 28th, all the residents of Hokuryu Town helped weed the sunflower garden. This was a wonderful gesture of kindness from the townspeople.

Also, on Friday the 28th, there was a Hokuryu fire drill, where the young people of our town showed their energetic and dedicated efforts in disaster prevention. The drill conveyed the determination and strength of the 60 young people to protect this town.

Today marks the end of half of the year. Tomorrow, July 1st, marks the beginning of the second half. It's finally sunflower season in Hokuryu Town. I don't know how many years it will be like this again, but we would love for our hometown residents to come and see it again, and the town will be ready to do so. Thank you for your support.

There have been some personnel changes, and Deputy Mayor Takahashi has worked hard up until now. Now, as the new Deputy Mayor, I would like to look firmly forward, get the town hall staff and townspeople aligned in the same direction, and work to build a town that meets everyone's expectations.

I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation for your continued support. Thank you for inviting me today."

Toast: Former Hokuryu Town Mayor Yutaka Sano

"Congratulations on today's Sapporo Hokuryu Festival.

The new chairman, Mr. Takebayashi, gave a speech and I was grateful for his kind words. Above all, I would like to express my gratitude to Mr. Konishi, the chairman of the Hokuryu Association, for his kind and generous support for my hometown of Hokuryu Town over the past 18 years.

I have also been involved with the Sapporo Hokuryu-kai for 20 years, having served as deputy mayor for eight years and as mayor for 12 years. Although I had to take a short break due to COVID-19, I am grateful for everyone's support. Today I participated to express my gratitude and appreciation.

I hope to come around to your tables later and express my gratitude to you all.

Now, let's have a toast.
"Let's toast to the health of everyone in attendance and the endless growth of the Sapporo Hokuryu-kai!" said Sano.

宴

Food

• Assorted sashimi
• Steamed oily flounder
• Stir-fried squid and vegetables with oyster sauce
• Tender grilled pork
• Scallop rice
• Yuzu sorbet

Let's have a friendly and harmonious exchange!

Hokuryu Town Agriculture, Tourism and Chamber of Commerce

JA Kitasorachi, Minoru Nagai, Representative Director of the Hokuryu District

"This is about the state of agricultural crops in Hokuryu Town.
This March was a snowy month, as usual. The Japan Meteorological Agency predicted that spring would be warmer, but the low temperatures continued, making farm work difficult.

Rice planting began in mid-May and has been progressing smoothly thanks to the high weather. Temperatures have dropped in the latter half of May, and we are still experiencing this today. This is slightly later than average.

Field crops are progressing relatively smoothly. The first shipment of our specialty "Sunflower Watermelon" was on June 7th, and the first shipment and auction of "Sunflower Melon" was on June 16th, with Mayor Sasaki accompanying us to the first auction.

"This year's 'Sunflower Watermelon' and 'Sunflower Melon' have been growing large and have a high sugar content due to the large temperature difference. This year's watermelons and melons are also very delicious, so if you have the opportunity, please do buy some," said Nagai, Hokuryu District Representative Director.

Yukio Takada, Chairman of the Himawari Tourism Association

"This is my second year as chairman of the Hokuryu Town Sunflower Tourism Association.
The 38th Hokuryu Town Sunflower Festival will be held from July 20th to August 18th. Two million sunflowers are waiting for you. We hope you will come and see the vibrant sunflowers.

As Mayor Sasaki mentioned earlier, weeding of the Sunflower Village was completed last Friday. Two million sunflowers are facing east and south, waiting for you to come and see them.

On the back of the poster, there are various information about transportation.

"Last year, 208,000 tourists visited in one month. We look forward to seeing you all there. We appreciate your support," said Chairman Takada.

Hokuryu Town Council Member Manabu Okino

"I am also a member of the assembly and serve as vice president of the Chamber of Commerce. I would like to introduce the current situation of the Chamber of Commerce.

The Hokuren Shop has since closed down, and the Kokowa commercial facility has been built in the same building, with the newly renovated Chamber of Commerce office located in the same building. The facility also includes a hall and social facilities.

The previously operating restaurants "Seasonal Cuisine Kawajin" and "Snack Kirara" have closed.

However, plans are underway for members of the local revitalization cooperation team to take over the business after Kawajin leaves. The Chamber of Commerce will do its best to keep the light burning and keep the business going.

We, including the Chamber of Commerce and seven construction companies, will continue to work hard for the town in good spirits.

We hope you will come visit Hokuryu Town during the Sunflower Festival and purchase some Hokuryu Town souvenirs on your way home.

I am the second generation owner of Okino Sushi, which was established in 1974. I returned to Hokuryu Town when I was 23 years old and have been operating under the name Ajidokoro Yahachi ever since.

"During the Sunflower Festival, soft serve ice cream will be sold exclusively at the store inside the tourist center. We hope you will come and enjoy a bite or two. We appreciate your support," said Councilman Okino.

Special entertainment

1. Karaoke Pride: Hosted by Tonoji Hirabayashi and Yoichi Fujita

2. Brain Exercises: Moderator: Isamu Okita

Clap your hands at the "no" part of the lyrics of the folk song "Kuroda Bushi." Then sing the song without the "no."

3. Bingo Game: Hosted by Masaaki Nozawa and Isamu Okita

4. Special prize draw: Hosts Ritsuko Nishimura and Isamu Okita

A gift from Hokuryu Town to the Sapporo Hokuryu Association

A gift from the Sapporo Hokuryu Association to Hokuryu Town

Toast: Hokuryu Town Council Chairman Shoichi Nakamura

"Congratulations on the successful general meeting of the Sapporo Hokuryu-kai today.
Our Hokuryu Town Council has a capacity of eight members, but last year we had seven less than the quota. There were a lot of things that happened, including being broadcast on television, but thanks to everyone's efforts, we were able to get eight members in the by-election in January.

With two female members of parliament, 25% of the total number of seats held by female members is higher than the national average, and the situation has changed from negative to positive.

I would like to thank Mr. Sano for his hard work over the past 12 years. Mr. Sasaki will now be the new mayor. It will be difficult given the declining population, but I will do my best, using all my wisdom to come up with various solutions. I look forward to your continued support.

Councillor Sawada is also making a comeback, and newcomer Councillor Hayashi is the wife of the head priest of Zenrinji Temple. Both of them were unable to join us today, but we look forward to your continued support.

Please come to the Sunflower Festival, and I would like to propose a toast to the hope that we will all meet again in good health at our next meeting on November 3rd. Cheers!' said Chairman Nakamura.

56 years have passed since the Sapporo Hokuryu Association was founded, and the noble spirit of Hokuryu Town continues to be passed down...

With boundless love, gratitude, and prayers to everyone at the Sapporo Hokuryu Association who loves Hokuryu Town so much and watches over and supports it...

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Other photos

Photos (73 photos) of the 2024 Sapporo Hokuryu Festival, where people from Hokuryu Town and the townspeople unite in spirit, are available here >>

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◇ Interview and text: Ikuko Terauchi (Photography and editing assistance: Noboru Terauchi)