Monday, October 27, 2024
On October 23 (Wed.) from 3:00 p.m., the "Yawara Neighborhood Association Senior Citizens Club Workshop and Exchange Meeting" was held at Sunflower Park Hokuryu Onsen, Multipurpose Hall (2F).
Twenty-three members participated, listening to a talk by Mayor Yasuhiro Sasaki on "Hokuryu-cho Town Development," watching the video "Mayor Sasaki's Inspection Tour of Hokuryu-cho" on the Hokuryu-cho Portal, and discussing and exchanging opinions about the town from various perspectives.
After the workshop, participants enjoyed delicious food and sake from the Hokuryu Hot Springs and deepened their friendship through friendly and enjoyable conversation.
- 1 Workshop for the Senior Citizens Club of Wa Neighborhood Association
- 2 Lecture "Town Development of Hokuryu Town" by Yasuhiro Sasaki, Mayor of Hokuryu Town
- 3 Report on Mayor Sasaki's inspection tour of the town: Noboru Terauchi, Hokuryu Town Portal Operations Manager
- 4 (cultural) exchange meeting
- 4.1 General Moderator: Noriaki Nakajima, Executive Director
- 4.2 Greetings from the President of the Wa Neighborhood Association Senior Citizens Club: Nobuyuki Kanayama, Chairman
- 4.3 Tearful moving greeting from Katsuyo Ujiie (92 years old)
- 4.4 Toast: Toast by Masako Takahashi
- 4.5 Banquet: Conversation was friendly and convivial!
- 4.6 Breakfast the next day: A delicious breakfast the day after a good night's sleep
- 4.7 Departure of bus for home
- 5 Youtube Video
- 6 More Photos
- 7 Related Articles
Workshop for the Senior Citizens Club of Wa Neighborhood Association
General Moderator: Noriaki Nakajima, Executive Director
Lecture "Town Development of Hokuryu Town" by Yasuhiro Sasaki, Mayor of Hokuryu Town
I am most pleased that you made the time to meet with us. We don't often have the opportunity to take the time to listen to people, so we really appreciate it.
I have been here in Hokuryu Town since birth and have grown up here for 67 years. Thanks to all of you, on February 22 of this year, I succeeded Mr. Sano as mayor of the town. Thank you very much.
What you 'can do' will come out of your story.
I will do my best to make tomorrow one step better than yesterday, and to bring even one more smile to your faces. Thank you very much for your kind attention.
We are currently in the midst of the general election for the House of Representatives. Hokuryu-cho is located exactly in the middle of Sorachi and Rumoi, and when passing through to Masuge-cho or Rumoi City, one passes through this Hokuryu-cho. Therefore, we have a variety of teachers visiting Hokuryu Town.
The Vice Minister of Finance came to see us just now and took time to speak with us. We are planning to have various professors, regardless of party affiliation, come again after this meeting to talk about the issues and requests of Hokuryu Town.
Maintain the population of Hokuryu Town
The data at hand shows the projected population of Hokuryu-cho from 1995 to 2040, and the population is expected to be 1,061 in 2040. This means that if nothing is done, the population will decrease to 1,061.
However, it does not mean doing nothing. Mr. Sano has worked really hard to develop the town.
We have studied such past history carefully and are now starting with the idea of maintaining the population, although it is difficult to increase it. We are making efforts together with the town hall staff.
By the way, the term "Mere Old Man's Club" is used here, but you are definitely not the "Mere Old Man". I would like to ask you to think of a comparable term for this activity in the future.
Execution of the budget for fiscal 2024
1. promote consideration of charging parking fees at Sunflower Village
- We are considering charging parking fees at Himawari-no-sato from FY2025.
- The Sunflower Village in Hokuryu-cho has held 38 Sunflower Festivals over the years without taking money. If possible, we would like to do it without taking money. However, the town's budget inevitably decreases as the population decreases.
- The Sunflower Village has been spending about 30-40 million yen every year. We have managed to make ends meet up until now, but from now on, we will also need to pay expenses to maintain the population, and if we continue as we are now, we may not have enough money to pay for the Sunflower Village.
- An important resource of Hokuryu Town is "Sunflowers", the treasure of Hokuryu Town. We need expenses for this.
- In order to expand the various businesses of Sunflower Village and to invite more and more customers from home and abroad, we must start receiving money from our customers.
- This has been under consideration since 1997, but has been slow to progress.
- I would like to get a variety of opinions from you all.
- In order to take the town one step further, we are considering a parking fee from those who come by car, rather than an admission fee, as something that is desperately needed!
2. measures against damage by birds and animals
- Purchased two bear trapping cages with the April budget and installed them at the Etai-betsu and Ichinosawa dams
- If two units are not enough, we are also considering the need to purchase more next year!
Return of Driver's Licenses for the Elderly
- Expansion of the validity period of the ¥50,000 hire coupon, which is distributed upon return of a senior driver's license, from 3 years to 10 years.
4. formulation of the Basic Policy for School Education and the Plan for School Complexes
- We are considering the possibility of combining the elementary and junior high schools into one integrated school for compulsory education.
- Schooling from grade 1 to grade 9, which means one principal and one vice principal!
- The current elementary and junior high school buildings are very old. The community center and town hall building are also from the 1955s, so plans are underway to rebuild the elementary school, junior high school, and community center.
- We are planning to build not only a community center and a school, but also a place where the general public can gather for rest, reading, and relaxation.
- We are still in the discussion stage until 2025, so we listen to various people once a month. We are making changes as we go along, so please feel free to contact us!
- The basic plan will be formulated in March 2025, the basic plan will be formulated over the course of one year during fiscal year 2025, the implementation plan will be formulated in fiscal year 2026, and the school will be constructed in fiscal year 2027.
- We have been anticipating and continuing to save for expenses for the past 10 years. We will further save funds and save money other than government subsidies so that we can build!
- If we do not save enough, we will extend the completion of the project from 2027 to 2028. We will firmly manage our financial resources.
Requests from townspeople
Requests for improvement
- Bus reservations are not accessible.
- I want local residents to understand the activities of regional development cooperation corps members and village supporters, and aim to work together with them.
- I would like to see more bear trapping cages installed.
Answer.
- Bus Reservations
As of April 1 of this year, the Chuo Bus between Fukagawa and Hokuryu was discontinued, leaving zero public bus service within the town following Takikawa. Intra-local bus service is provided within the town hall. (Regular service in the morning between Fukagawa and Hokuryu, reserved service after that, and some regular service in the evening are in operation. - We have heard the following comments: "It is difficult to understand and make a reservation" and "It is also difficult to understand how to use the cab ticket in combination with the cab ticket.
- We are taking measures to improve the situation a little at a time as we continue to operate the system.
- We are considering a direct service from Mibaushi to Fukagawa starting April 1, 2025. In addition, we are considering a direct service from Mibaushi to Takikawa.
- We found that a large bus in the mornings and a 10-passenger bus for the rest of the day was sufficient to handle the work!
- We will purchase a van by the end of December. We have a total of two vehicles that are not in use at the Human Resource Center, so we have two vehicles ready to go. We are preparing a system for hiring drivers. Furthermore, we are building a whole system
- Activities of Regional Development Cooperation Volunteers and Community Support Volunteers
We are planning to publish a report on our activities in the next month's issue of "Kohoku Ryu".
2. request for cost reduction
- Regarding the amount of hot spring membership tickets and park golf membership tickets, I feel they are cheap and unfair.
- I would like to know the usage of commissaries in each district.
- Wish to change activities such as the town-sponsored Respect-for-Senior-Citizens meeting, Sapporo Hokuryu-kai, etc.
Answer.
- We are working hard to improve our spa memberships and other aspects of our ongoing spa improvement project.
- The conditions for building a commissary are 100% subsidized when, for example, a commissary is built when a farmer district and an urban district are merged. This was one of the factors that led to the construction of commissaries, but there is no such thing now. There is no request to build a new commissary center now. The budget for maintenance and management is now being spent. We are maintaining and managing it within the rules and regulations, but we are discussing it.
- We will also consider the use of the community center, kokowa, and welfare center at the same time in the future.
- The number of participants in the town-sponsored Respect-for-Senior-Citizens meetings has also been decreasing due to the physical condition of the elderly. In the future, we would like to think of ways to encourage participation and to think of a different way to express our respect for the elderly in a different way.
- In the Sapporo Hokuryukai, 10 years ago, there were about 200 participants; this year there are about 30. This year, the chairman of Sapporo Hokuryukai was changed from Mr. Hideo Konishi to Mr. Takashi Takebayashi. We are discussing with the chairman and considering ways to make it easier for people to participate in the future. We will discuss various ideas with the chairman at the fall meeting in November.
Mayor Sasaki spoke sincerely, "I would like to report not only this year, but every year, so that I can talk with you all and tell you how well I have done since last year.
Report on Mayor Sasaki's inspection tour of the town: Noboru Terauchi, Hokuryu Town Portal Operations Manager
Following Mayor Sasaki's speech, a 15-minute Youtube video of "Mayor Yasuhiro Sasaki's inspection tour of Hokuryu Town" was shown by Noboru Terauchi, Hokuryu Town Portal Operations Manager.
February: Mayor Sasaki's first visit to the town hall
Thursday, February 22, 2024 New Mayor Yasuhiro Sasaki, 68, who was first elected in the mayoral election on Sunday, February 4,...
May: Mayor Sasaki's first visit to the town hall
Tuesday, May 7, 2024 On Wednesday, May 1, Mayor Yasuhiro Sasaki conducted his May inspection of Hokuryu Town. Table of Contents 1 Yasuhiro Sasaki, Town...
June] Inspection tour of Hokuryu Town
Thursday, June 6, 2024 On Tuesday, June 4, Mayor Yasuhiro Sasaki conducted the June inspection of Hokuryu Town. Table of Contents 1 The wonderful lawn cherry blossoms...
July] Inspection tour of Hokuryu Town
Monday, July 8, 2024 On Friday, July 5, from 10:00 a.m., Mayor Yasuhiro Sasaki conducted the July visit to the town of Hokuryu. The visit was made to...
August] Inspection tour of Hokuryu Town
Friday, August 9, 2024 On Wednesday, August 7, from 15:00, Mayor Yasuhiro Sasaki conducted the August inspection of Hokuryu Town. Table of Contents 1 ...
September: Inspection tour of Hokuryu Town
Wednesday, September 4, 2024 On Tuesday, September 3, from 10:00 a.m., Mayor Yasuhiro Sasaki conducted the September inspection of Hokuryu Town. Table of Contents 1 ...
(cultural) exchange meeting
General Moderator: Noriaki Nakajima, Executive Director
Noriaki Nakajima, Secretary General of the Wa Neighborhood Association for the Elderly Club, moderated the exchange meeting with a sense of humor.
Greetings from the President of the Wa Neighborhood Association Senior Citizens Club: Nobuyuki Kanayama, Chairman
Thank you very much for your kind attention! Thank you very much for each of you coming together in good spirits!
Looking back, it has been exactly one year since I visited the North Sorachi Wide-area Waterworks Company on the 23rd of last year.
Thank you for coming in the rain! Thank you Mayor Sasaki and Mr. and Mrs. Terauchi.
Above all, let's be cheerful and have fun today! We will finish!" Mr. Kanayama, Chairman of the Board of Directors, greeted the participants cheerfully.
Tearful moving greeting from Katsuyo Ujiie (92 years old)
My name is Oban, and I'm here to talk to you. I am so happy to have been invited to speak in front of you all at this age.
On a personal note, when I went to the hospital around May of this year, the doctor told me, "Ka-chan, you should think about living on your own again. I wondered why, even though I was so healthy.
But when I think about it, I am old (everyone laughs). I think the doctor was worried about me and told me.
So I talked to my daughters about it, and they said, 'That's not what you just said! You asked me if I wanted to come over here when your father was gone!' They said.
I said, "I miss Wa (Yawara, Hokuryu Town) so much, I won't go there! I can't go! and I have worked hard until now, thinking that Wa (Yawara/Hokuryu Town) is good.
This time, the hospital doctor told me that I had no choice but to go to Sapporo where my daughters are at the end of this year.
I would like to pull out only the "Wa (town)" registry and have Mr. Ito help me with the fields, and I would still like to come to Wa (Yawara, Hokuryu-cho) as long as I am healthy.
I am sure we will meet again. When I talk to the children about it, I have no choice but to 'roll with the long ones'.
I married into Hokuryu Village in 1951, and it has been 74 years since then.
In 1965 (Showa 40), it has been 60 years since I have been a member of Wabu Tribe.
I am very grateful to all of you fathers and mothers. I was young then and now I am 92 years old.
That's what I'm thinking, 'I can't help it' (tears 💧 tears 💧 tears).
When I came to Penke's Sawa as a bride, there were 21 households in Penke's tribe at that time, but now there is only one household, Mr. Ozaki's. It has become a really lonely town.
Up to now, I have been invited by you all, and I have enjoyed folk songs, dances, and whatever else I could get my hands on.
You are all still young, so I really hope that you will all do your best to make Hokuryu Town a more prosperous place.
Thank you very much for all your help over the years! (Everyone clap 👏 clap 👏 clap 👏 clap 👏 )," said Ujiie Katsuyo in a tearful, polite, and firm final greeting.
I miss them so much, I don't want to go! she cried out as she handed a "gratuity" to the Wa Neighborhood Association Senior Citizens Club (President: Nobuyuki Kanayama) as a token of her gratitude.
We sincerely appreciate the warm-heartedness of Mr. Ujiie, who loves his hometown so much and cares about it endlessly. Thank you very much!
Toast: Toast by Masako Takahashi
I was so surprised by Ujiie-san's surprise story today, it made me cry.
Have a pleasant day and a farewell party for Ujiie-san today! Cheers! said Mr. Takahashi.
Banquet: Conversation was friendly and convivial!
A variety of delicious dishes
Exciting bingo games
Breakfast the next day: A delicious breakfast the day after a good night's sleep
Departure of bus for home
With boundless love, gratitude, and prayers, I wish to express my deepest gratitude and appreciation to the wonderful Wa Neighborhood Association Senior Citizens Club for its workshop and exchange meeting, where the spirit of "Wa" is passed on among kindred spirits, helping and supporting each other, and smiling faces abound.
Youtube Video
More Photos
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◇ Reporting and writing by Ikuko Terauchi (Photography and editorial assistance by Noboru Terauchi)
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