Mayor Yasuhiro Sasaki explores the charms of Hokuryu Town [February 2025] The townspeople who work hard to remove snow in Hokuryu Town

Tuesday, February 25, 2025

On Thursday, February 20th, from 10:00, Mayor Yasuhiro Sasaki held the February Hokuryu Town Attraction Search. The February Hokuryu Town Attraction Search focuses on the residents who work hard to remove snow from Hokuryu Town.

February's Charm of Hokuryu Town: Townspeople working hard to remove snow

We spoke with Miyajima Yasuhide, representative of Garage Miyajima Co., Ltd., Oji Hideki, representative of Daiwa Kogyo Co., Ltd., Ito Shuji, Kanayama Wakabayashi Co., Ltd. (representative Kanayama Tomonori), and Koshida Mitsuyuki, representative of Shiomi Construction Co., Ltd.

In the afternoon, we visited Yamagami Miharu (24 years old, in her fourth year with Honoka Agricultural Cooperative), who works hard in a large snow removal truck at the Hokuryu Town Snow Removal Center.

Mayor Sasaki had official duties in the afternoon and was unable to make a visit to offer encouragement, but since he had expressed a desire for us to "please interview Yamagami Miharu and spread the word about her hard work," we went to the Snow Removal Center to interview her.

Garage Miyajima Co., Ltd., Representative: Yasuhide Miyajima

"Until now, farmers have been proactively clearing snow with tractors as a part-time job during the winter, so snow removal within the town was done well and the townspeople were helped out.

However, in recent years, the machinery and other equipment has become outdated, and as the farmers age and the job is being passed on to their sons, it has become more difficult for them to clear the snow, and an increasing number of farmers are quitting.

In response to this situation, snow removal work is currently contracted out to contractors. Contractors need to deal with breakdowns in snow removal tractors and other equipment. Just because a vehicle breaks down doesn't mean they can't remove the snow. That's why we use leasing, so we can immediately use a replacement vehicle when one breaks down. In this way, we are working hard for the townspeople. We currently have 24 contracts.

"We also have issues with snow removal at the town's bus stops and garbage stations. From now on, I think the town as a whole needs to think about managing snow removal within the town," says Miyajima with a deep sense of purpose.

"There are many issues surrounding snow removal, such as disposal sites and fees, so we would like to respond to requests as much as possible," said Mayor Sasaki.

Hideki Ohji, Representative Director, Daiwa Kogyo Co., Ltd.

"There are many problems with snow removal. Town residents are silently removing snow on town-owned land, such as the town's children's park, so I think we need to consider ways to manage it as a town, such as making the use of snow removal sites a registration system.

"The snow removal fees vary from company to company. If they charge a low price, the work will be sloppy, which will lead to complaints from local residents and people will even throw the snow on the road, which is very dangerous," said Oji.

"There are various problems at the town-owned snow dumping site, so we would like to deal with them appropriately in the future," said Mayor Sasaki.

Kanayama Wakabayashi Co., Ltd. (Representative: Tomonori Kanayama) and Shuji Ito (drives the Himawari sightseeing car in summer)

"I am in charge of snow removal from private homes, the post office, and 17 other locations. I remove the snow in between snow removal tasks, and with a 4-ton truck I have removed the equivalent of 500 loads of snow. There has been a lot of snow this year, so it has been very difficult," says Ito.

Shiomi Construction Co., Ltd. Representative: Mitsuyuki Koshida

"The snow removal contract situation is as follows:

1. Snow removal within the JA Kitasorachi Hokuryu branch office (snow removal areas include the branch office premises, oil base, agricultural equipment center, Wa Stand, Wa Hekisui warehouse, and includes snow removal twice a year)
2. Temples (2 temples, Kotokuji Temple and Ryusenji Temple)
3. Private home (1 house)

The heavy machinery used is a WA150 wheel loader and a 0.7m3 backhoe. Two people will be required (one liaison officer and one wheel loader driver).

Snow removal work standards are when snowfall exceeds 10 cm or when there is a request from the local area. If snowfall is expected throughout the day, we will send out once in the morning and once in the afternoon. In addition, we will refrain from sending out if safety cannot be ensured due to blizzards, etc.

These snow removal tasks are carried out to ensure that residents can live safe and secure lives during the winter, and it is rewarding to be part of that work.

We believe that by working in cooperation with other snow removal-related organizations, we will be able to carry out our operations smoothly.

"Our future challenges include training young operators, and measures to deal with rising costs, such as shortening idling time, adjusting packed snow surfaces, and preventing sudden acceleration and braking. We would like to take measures to maintain stable snow removal and disposal so that we do not cause a decline in service," explained Representative Koshida in a detailed manner.

Miharu Yamagami (4th year employee at Honoka Agricultural Cooperative) riding in a snow removal truck

"I wanted to take part in the rice harvesting, so I decided to get a large vehicle license so I could drive a combine harvester and a large transport truck. I got it in the autumn of last year (2023).

If I only had a regular driver's license, I would have fewer opportunities to drive a variety of types of vehicles, so I decided to take the plunge and give it a try.

I started snow removal work in the winter in December of last year, so I'm still not used to it and it's extremely difficult. Right now I'm working on transporting the snow.

Everyone is very kind and gives me guidance, so I am able to work hard and do my best to help the town.

Driving is done manually, and the steering wheel and clutch are heavy to operate, and I am short, so it is difficult for me to reach the pedals, so I have to use all my strength. At first, I would have muscle pain all over my body after work.

"Everyone in Hokuryu is kind, warm, and interesting. It's a really great town. I want to continue living here," said Miharu with a lovely smile.

We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the townspeople and all those involved who work tirelessly to support and ensure the safety and security of life in this town buried under snow during the harsh winter and to carry out the arduous task of clearing snow. Thank you so much!

Snow depth in Hokuryu Town: 164cm (February 24th) [Windy]

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