Wa Neighborhood Association Senior Citizens Club Training Session & Exchange Meeting 2024: Like-minded friends help and support each other, passing on the spirit of "wa"

Monday, October 27, 2024

The "Yawara Neighborhood Association Senior Citizens Club Training Session and Exchange Meeting" was held on Wednesday, October 23rd from 3:00pm at the Sunflower Park Kitaryu Onsen Multipurpose Hall (2nd floor).

Twenty-three members participated, listening to Mayor Sasaki Yasuhiro's talk on "Hokuryu Town Development," watching the video "Mayor Sasaki Inspects Hokuryu Town" on the Hokuryu Town Portal, and discussing and exchanging opinions about the town from various perspectives.

After the training session, participants enjoyed delicious food and drinks from Hokuryu Onsen while deepening their friendship through friendly and enjoyable conversation.

Wa Neighborhood Association Senior Citizens Club Training Session

General moderator: Noriaki Nakajima, Secretary General

Lecture "Urban Development in Hokuryu Town" by Mayor Yasuhiro Sasaki of Hokuryu Town

"I am so glad that you made time for me to do this. I don't often get the chance to have someone take the time to listen to me, so I am truly grateful.

I have lived in Hokuryu Town since I was born, and have been raised here for 67 years. Thanks to all of you, I was able to succeed Mr. Sano as mayor on February 22nd of this year. Thank you very much.

What you can do emerges from the conversation

I believe that "what I can do" will be born from the conversations I have with you all. I have been given a four-year term, and I would like to do my best to make tomorrow even one step better than yesterday, and to bring even one more smile to the faces. Thank you for your support.

We are currently in the midst of the general election for the House of Representatives. Hokuryu Town is located exactly halfway between Sorachi and Rumoi, and you pass through Hokuryu Town when heading to Mashike Town or Rumoi City. As a result, many teachers have been visiting Hokuryu Town.

The Vice Minister of Finance was here a while ago and we had a chance to speak with him. After this, we plan to invite various members of the public, regardless of party affiliation, to come and talk about the issues and requests of Hokuryu Town.

Maintaining the population of Hokuryu Town

The document you have in front of you shows the population trends for Hokuryu Town, projected from 1995 (Heisei 7) to 2040 (Reiwa 22). The population is predicted to be 1,061 in 2040. This is the population trend that would result in a population of 1,061 if nothing were done.

However, this does not mean that we will do nothing. Mr. Sano has worked very hard to develop the town.

We are studying the history of the area thoroughly, and although increasing the population is difficult, we are starting by first trying to maintain it. We are working hard together with the town hall staff.

By the way, although it says "seniors club" here, you are definitely not "seniors." I would like you to think of a word that is comparable to this activity in the future.

Regarding the execution of the FY2024 budget

1. Proceed with consideration of charging parking fees at Himawari no Sato

• We are currently considering charging parking fees at Himawari no Sato starting in fiscal year 2025.
• The Sunflower Village in Hokuryu Town has held the Sunflower Festival 38 times without charging any fees. If possible, we would like to continue without charging any fees. However, the town's budget is inevitably decreasing due to the declining population.
• Himawari no Sato's expenses are about 30 to 40 million yen per year. We have managed to make ends meet up until now, but from now on, we will need funds to maintain the population, and if things continue as they are, Himawari no Sato's expenses may not be enough.
• The most important resource of Hokuryu Town is the town's treasure, the sunflowers. To do so, we need funds.
• In order to expand Himawari no Sato's various businesses and attract more and more customers from both within Japan and overseas, we must start accepting payment from our customers.
• This issue has been under consideration since 1997, but progress has been slow.
• I would like to hear various opinions from you all.
• In order to take the town one step further, we are considering charging parking fees for people who come by car, rather than an admission fee, as this is something that is absolutely necessary.

2. Measures to prevent damage caused by birds and animals

• Two bear traps were purchased using the April budget and installed at Edaibetsu Dam and Ichinosawa Dam.
• If two units are not enough, we will have to purchase more next year.

3. Regarding elderly drivers' license surrender

• The validity period of the 50,000 yen hire car voucher given to elderly drivers who surrender their driver's licenses has been extended from three years to ten years.

4. Regarding the formulation of basic school education policies and school complex facility plans

• We are considering merging elementary and junior high schools into a single school, which will provide a full compulsory education.
• For school education from 1st grade to 9th grade, there is one principal and one vice principal.
• The current elementary and junior high school buildings are very old. The community center and town hall buildings are also from the 1950s, so plans are underway to rebuild the elementary school, junior high school, and community center.
• In addition to the community center and school, we are planning to build a place where ordinary townspeople can gather for relaxation, such as taking a break or reading.
• We are still in the discussion stage until 2025, so we are listening to various people's opinions once a month. We are constantly making changes based on the discussions, so please let us know what you think.
• The plan is to formulate a basic plan in March 2025, then formulate the basic plan over the course of a year during fiscal year 2025, formulate an implementation plan in fiscal year 2026, and construct schools in fiscal year 2027.
• We have been making predictions for the cost for 10 years and have been saving money continuously. We will also save up funds and secure funds other than government subsidies so that we can build the house.
• If we are unable to save the funds, we will postpone the planned completion date from 2027 to 2028. We will carefully manage our financial resources.

Requests from townspeople

1. Requests for improvement

• Bus reservations are difficult to use
• We want local residents to understand the activities of the Regional Revitalization Cooperation Team and Community Support Team, and aim to work together with the residents.
• I want more bear traps to be installed.

answer

• Bus reservations
  　
  Starting from April 1st of this year, the Chuo Bus service between Fukagawa and Hokuryu was discontinued, leaving the town with no public buses running between Takikawa and Hokuryu. Within the town hall, local bus services are being operated. Regular morning buses run between Fukagawa and Hokuryu, reserved buses run thereafter, and some regular evening buses run.
• We have received feedback that "it's difficult to understand and make reservations" and "it's difficult to understand how to use it in conjunction with taxi vouchers."
• As we continue to operate, we are taking measures to improve things little by little.
• We are considering a direct service from Bibaushi to Fukagawa from April 1, 2025. We are also considering a direct service from Bibaushi to Takikawa.
• We found that a large bus would be sufficient in the morning, and a 10-seater bus would be sufficient at other times.
• We will purchase a van by the end of December. We have an unused vehicle at the Human Resources Center, so we will prepare two vehicles in total. We are also preparing a system for hiring drivers. Furthermore, we are building the overall system.
  　
• Activities of local revitalization cooperation volunteers and village supporters
  　
  We plan to publish activity reports in the next issue of "Hokuryu Public Relations."

2. Requests for cost reduction

• I feel that the prices of the hot spring membership ticket and park golf membership ticket are low and unfair.
• I want to know how community centers are being used in each area.
• Requests for changes to activities of town-sponsored Respect for the Aged Day events, Sapporo Hokuryu-kai, etc.

answer

• As part of the ongoing hot spring improvement project, we are making efforts to improve hot spring membership tickets and other aspects.
• The conditions for building a community center are, for example, that if a farming district and an urban district merge and a community center is built, 100% of the funds will be subsidized. This is the element that led to the construction of the community center, but there is no such thing now. There is also no demand to build a new community center at the moment. The budget for maintenance and management is increasing. We are maintaining and managing the center within the rules, but we are currently discussing this.
• We will also be considering how to use the facility at community centers, Kokowa, and welfare centers. Thank you for your cooperation.
• Regarding the town-sponsored Respect for the Aged Day event, the number of participants has been declining due to health reasons among the elderly. In the future, we would like to think of ways to encourage participation and to find different ways to express respect for the elderly.
• Ten years ago, there were around 200 participants at the Sapporo Hokuryu-kai, but this year there are around 30. This year, the chairman of the Sapporo Hokuryu-kai changed from Konishi Hideo to Takebayashi Takashi. I have been talking with the chairman about various things, and we are considering ways to make it easier for people to participate in the future. One idea that has been suggested is class reunions for each age group. I would like to discuss various things with the chairman at the autumn meeting in November.

"I would like to implement policies that will allow me to report and talk to you all not just this year, but every year, and that will make you say that I worked harder than last year," Mayor Sasaki said sincerely.

Mayor Sasaki reports on his town inspection: Mr. Noboru Terauchi, Hokuryu Town Portal Administrator

Following Mayor Sasaki's speech, a YouTube video titled "Mayor Sasaki Yasuhiro's Tour of Hokuriku Town" was shown for approximately 15 minutes, by Hokuriku Town Portal Administrator Noboru Terauchi.

[February] Mayor Sasaki's first day at work

[May] Mayor Sasaki's first day at work

[June] Inspection of Hokuryu Town

[July] Inspection of Hokuryu Town

[August] Inspection of Hokuryu Town

[September] Inspection of Hokuryu Town

Exchange meeting

General moderator: Noriaki Nakajima, Secretary General

The social gathering was led by the humorous host, Noriaki Nakajima, Secretary General of the Wa Neighborhood Association Senior Citizens Club.

Wa Neighborhood Association Senior Citizens Club President's Greeting: President Nobuyuki Kanayama

"Good evening! Thank you very much for coming together in good spirits!

When I think about it, it's been exactly one year since I went on a tour of the Kita Sorachi Regional Waterworks Enterprise Corporation on the 23rd of last year.

Thank you for coming out in the rain! Thank you Mayor Sasaki and Mr. and Mrs. Terauchi.

Above all, let's have fun and be energetic today! That's it!" said Chairman Kanayama in a lively greeting.

Katsuyo Ujiie (92 years old) gives a tearful moving speech

"It's Oban. I'm truly happy to have been invited and to be able to speak in front of you all at my age.

This is a personal matter, but when I went to the hospital around May this year, the doctor told me, "Mom, you should think about living on your own again." I wondered why this was happening, as I was in such good health.

But when you think about it, I'm getting old (everyone laughs), so I think the teacher was worried about me and said that.

So I consulted my daughters about it, and they said, "That's not what I said just now! I asked you to come over here when you passed away!"

I have been working hard up until now, thinking, "I miss Yawara (Hokuryu Town) and I'm not going! I'm not going!" and thinking that Yawara (Hokuryu Town) is the best place.

Since this is what the doctor at the hospital told me, I have no choice but to go to Sapporo, where my daughters live, at the end of this year.

I have only removed my registration from Yawara (town), but with the help of Mr. Ito, I have been able to cultivate the farm, and I would like to continue coming to Yawara (Hokuryu Town) as long as I am still healthy.

I think we will meet again. Even when I talk to my children about it, they just say, "Go with the flow."

I married into Kitaryū Village in 1951, and it has been 74 years since then.

In 1965, it had been 60 years since we had been under the care of the Wa Buraku.

I am grateful to all of you for your support. I was young then, and now I am 92 years old.

That's exactly what I think, "It can't be helped" (tears💧tears💧tears)

When I married into the Penke Valley, there were 21 households in the Penke village, but now there is only one household, Mr. Ozaki. It has become a truly lonely neighborhood.

Until now, thanks to everyone's help, I have been invited to participate in folk songs, dance, and anything else I enjoy, even though I'm not very good at it.

You are all still young, so I hope you will all work hard and help liven up Hokuryu Town.

Thank you so much for all your support over the years! (Everyone applauds 👏 applauds 👏 applauds 👏)" said Katsuyo Ujiie, in tears as she politely and firmly delivered her final greetings.

Furthermore, while crying out, "I miss you so much, I don't want to go!", Katsuyo Ujiie presented a "tip" to the Wa Neighborhood Association Senior Citizens Club (Chairman: Nobuyuki Kanayama) to express her gratitude.

We are truly grateful for Mr. Ujiie's warm heart and boundless love for his hometown. Thank you very much!

Toast: Masako Takahashi leads the toast

"Today, I was so surprised by Mr. Ujiie's surprise that I started to cry.
Today is also a farewell party for Mr. Ujiie, so please have a fun day! Cheers!!!" said Takahashi.

Banquet: A friendly atmosphere with lively conversation!

A variety of delicious dishes

Exciting Bingo Game

Breakfast the next day: A delicious breakfast the day after a good night's sleep

Bus home departure

With boundless love, gratitude, and prayers, we wish the wonderful Wa Neighborhood Association Senior Citizens' Club a wonderful training and social event, where like-minded friends help and support each other, the spirit of harmony is passed down, and smiles abound...

YouTube videos

Other photos

Photos (85 photos) from the 2024 Wa Neighborhood Association Senior Citizens Club Training and Exchange Meeting are here >>

Related articles

Hokuryu Town Senior Event 2024

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