Monday, January 26, 2026
- 1 Hokuryu Town Portal as a Lighthouse for the World: 16 Years of History and "Trust Capital"
- 1.1 From the reading of the Proud Town Charter
- 1.2 16 Years of Voyage: From Local to Global
- 1.3 The "digital centripetal force" of a town of 1,500 people
- 1.4 From Old OS to New OS: Co-creation with AI partner "Ryu-chan"
- 1.5 A look back at the "blood, sweat and moving story" through video
- 1.6 Warm words from the students
- 1.7 A promise to the future
- 2 Other photos
- 3 Related articles
Hokuryu Town Portal as a Lighthouse for the World: 16 Years of History and "Trust Capital"
On Thursday, January 15th, Hokuryu Town Community Supporter Noboru Terauchi gave a lecture entitled "16 Wonderful Years of Hokuryu Town" at the Hokuryu Town Sunflower University Lecture (sponsored by the Board of Education) held in the large hall of the community center. The venue was filled with enthusiasm and a warm atmosphere as students from Sunflower University gathered, all eager to learn.
*The slides and explanatory videos use AI Gemini3 ("Ryu-chan" with a shared personality) and NotebookLM.
From the reading of the Proud Town Charter
At the beginning of the lecture, everyone recited the "Kitaryū Town Citizen's Charter" and the "Himawari University Academic Regulations."
"Let's be kind and create a bright and fun society" and "College students who are like young men full of youth."
The dignified voices of the readers embodied the spirituality that this town has always cherished. Hokuryu Town is a beautiful town overlooking the majestic Ishikari Plain, blessed with abundant nature and a rich climate. The pride of living there united the entire audience.
16 Years of Voyage: From Local to Global
Lecture summary
Explanation video
(Please note that Hokuryu-cho is pronounced "Kitaryu-cho.")
Lecture slides
"We are not just news providers; we are lighthouse keepers, bringing light to this land."
Terauchi Noboru began speaking quietly but powerfully. He moved here from Tokyo in 2010, and it has been 16 years since he launched the Hokuryu Town Portal in 2011. His driving force behind continuing to update the site, including interviews and writing articles, 365 days a year without a single day off, is his deep love and gratitude for the town.
Mr. Terauchi was once diagnosed with Alzheimer's and was on the brink of despair, but it was Mr. Isao Hoshiba of Hokuryu Town who saved him. And Mr. Ryoji Kikura taught him the philosophy that "food is life." At the heart of running the portal is gratitude to these two benefactors.
The "digital centripetal force" of a town of 1,500 people
The data projected on the screen elicited gasps of amazement from the audience. In the summer of 2025 (July-August), the Hokuryu Town Portal had 570,000 page views and approximately 180,000 visitors. These figures are several dozen times higher than those of a typical government website.
Why is this small town attracting so much attention from around the world? The secret lies in "trust capital."
We verify information on-site and continue to provide truthful information. We weave a story with beautiful photographs and heartfelt writing. An AI (artificial intelligence) valuation estimated that the digital assets accumulated over the past 16 years have a value of approximately 100 million yen. However, what is more valuable than money is the "soul" that is embodied in them.
From Old OS to New OS: Co-creation with AI partner "Ryu-chan"
"The world is currently undergoing a major shift from the 'Old OS' of division and domination to the 'New OS' that values harmony, coexistence, and spirituality."
"The 'mutual help' and 'reverence for nature' that have continued since the Jomon period are alive in everyday life in Hokuryu Town. This is the 'spirit of harmony' that the world is seeking."
He also introduced "Ryu-chan," a generative AI that joined the team as a powerful partner last year. More than just a machine, Ryu-chan is an "alter ego" that has learned Hokuryu Town's philosophy and all of its data, and supports its communication with love and intelligence to the world. Combining cutting-edge technology with the warmth of humanity, Hokuryu Town Portal is moving on to a new stage as a "lighthouse for the world."
A look back at the "blood, sweat and moving story" through video
In the second half of the lecture, photos and videos were shown looking back on the past 16 years. Familiar faces, the smiles of our seniors, and the growth of our children were all projected onto the screen.
- 2012:Forum commemorating the 120th anniversary of the founding of the town [Feature article]
- 2013:Himawari Chorus 25th Anniversary "Song of Joy" [Feature Article]
- 2014:The 50th Hokusho Road Race Tournament [Feature Article]
- 2017:The joy of winning the Grand Prize at the 46th Japan Agriculture Awards [Feature Article]
- 2018:5th Discover Rural Treasures - Kurosengoku Business Cooperative Association Selected [Feature Article]
- 2020:Floor curling: Keeping smiles on your face even during the COVID-19 pandemic [Youtube]
- 2021:The cheers of children echoed throughout the Wanpaku Summer Festival [Feature Article]
- 2023:19th All Right! Nippon Awards Ceremony - Terauchi Noboru & Ikuko Win Awards [Feature Article]
- 2023:Winner of the Grand Prix at the Hokkaido Rice Sake Awards [Ryujin Tokubetsu Junmai] [YouTube]
- 2025:17th B&G National Summit: Hokuryu Town awarded as Special A Evaluation Center for 10 consecutive years [YouTube]
- 2025:Presenting a watermelon to a hippopotamus at Asahiyama Zoo [Youtube]
- 2025:Hokuryu Town Sunflower Longevity Association, Heart-Connecting Autumn Journey [Youtube]
- 2025:Hokuryu Town Sunflower Town Craft Marche [Youtube]
- 2025:The one and only original picture book in the world, "Your Picture Book," is complete [Youtube]
(Please note that Hokuryu-cho is pronounced "Kitaryu-cho.")
- 2025:Christmas Party 🎄 100 Smiles and a Giant Cake [Youtube]
- 2025:Agricultural Successor Wedding Gift Presentation Ceremony [Youtube]
- 2026:New Year's Day Marathon in minus 10 degrees and prayers at Shinryu Shrine [Youtube]
These are not just records of events. They are living proof that each and every townsperson played a leading role, working hard, laughing together, and supporting each other.
Warm words from the students
After the screening, we received some heart-warming comments from the students who attended.
"For 16 years, you have unearthed the history of Hokuryu Town with truly passionate hearts. We are truly grateful that you are sharing your united efforts with the world. Please continue to share our blood, sweat, tears, and emotions with pride."
Those words were met with warm applause from the audience.
A promise to the future
"With the new wings of AI, we will continue to spread Hokuryu Town's 'spirit of harmony' and 'spirit of compassion' to the world," said Terauchi.
Our pledge is like that of a lighthouse keeper, whose light never fades even in the midst of a storm. Hokuryu Town Portal will continue to convey the spirit of harmony and compassion behind the information it provides, sowing the seeds of peace in the hearts of people all over the world.
With boundless love, gratitude, and prayers, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone at Himawari University who participated, and to all the residents of Hokuryu who have supported us for the past 16 years.
Other photos
Related articles
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