[Wato Neighborhood Association, Kiyotaka Hasegawa, Chairman] Warm bonds and the "spirit of harmony" that cultivate the future: New hope for Hokuryu Town woven together by smart agriculture and consideration for the next generation

Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Warm bonds and the "spirit of harmony" that cultivate the future: Smart agriculture and consideration for the next generation create new hope for Hokuryu Town

As the soft sunlight streamed in, eagerly awaiting the melting snow, we spoke with Hasegawa Kiyotaka, the neighborhood association president of Wamotocho, Hokuryu Town.

Mayor Sasaki Yasuhiro, who was also in attendance, and the conversation went beyond simply discussing the issues facing the neighborhood association. They exchanged words filled with love and deep concern for the next generation of young people, as adults working in the town.

There, the "spirit of harmony" that the people of Hokuryu have naturally embraced and passed down beats quietly but powerfully. In a modern society where efficiency and convenience take priority, the spirit of Hokuryu is one that values connections between people above all else and strives to support one another.

We will unravel the trajectory of a conversation filled with passion and kindness that teaches us about the important "location of the soul" that people all over the world have forgotten.

Agriculture evolving with the times, but an unchanging "love for the land"

Smart agriculture opens up new horizons for young people

Mr. Hasegawa, the neighborhood association president, is currently employed by Mizuho Corporation (CEO: Masami Komatsu), a local company. He worked for the Hokuryu Fire Department for many years before taking up a new career in agriculture.

As the chairman of the Hasegawa neighborhood association, he feels every day that the image of farming as a job is evolving dramatically.

In the past, farming was associated with hard physical labor and being covered in mud. However, today, the vast rural landscape of Hokuryu is traversed by self-driving tractors equipped with GPS and cutting-edge drones that spray pesticides from the sky.

We are entering an era where anyone can perform accurate and efficient work by utilizing the latest technology, rather than relying solely on years of intuition and experience.

"Today's tractors move in a straight line, so even the first year is enough."

Hasegawa: The words of the neighborhood association president paint a picture of an open agriculture industry where even young people and those with no experience can jump in with confidence.

This is not simply mechanization or efficiency, but the fruit of the compassion of our predecessors who sought to improve the working environment and create an environment in which the next generation could work with hope.

A limited number of people work together to protect a vast 100 hectares of land. This is not individualism, but rather a spirit of harmony, where people help each other and coexist with nature.

Mitsunae brings ease and smiles in spring

Furthermore, Hasegawa, the town council president, spoke passionately about the changes that have been brought about by the introduction of a new technology called "mitsunae."

This method dramatically reduces the labor required to raise and transport seedlings compared to traditional potted seedlings. It also reduces the number of large greenhouses that need to be built, providing greater flexibility in the tough farm work that occurs in the spring.

"Spring work has become much easier. Since it's a weather-based business, we're encouraged to go home and rest on rainy days and not push ourselves too hard."

Rather than solely pursuing profits and efficiency, we prioritize the physical and mental health of our employees.

The deeply rooted value of Hokuryu Town, that "health is the most important thing," is beautifully reflected in these work style reforms.

It's a warm working environment where once a busy period is over, people congratulate each other and are encouraged to take time off to refresh themselves. Because agriculture involves facing harsh natural conditions, the bonds and kindness between people are the strongest support of all.

Creating a warm community that attracts young people and fosters a "spirit of harmony"

Careful consideration for the home that forms the foundation of life

Even if agricultural cooperatives seek young people, they will not settle down unless they have an environment where they can live safely. Mr. Hasegawa, the neighborhood association president, strongly advocated for the provision of "detached houses" to young people and families who move in.

They want to live comfortably in a spacious house while feeling the breath of nature. They understand the importance of creating a system that meets the simple desires of those who move here and renovates vacant houses in the town and makes them available for use.

By providing them with independent housing rather than apartment complexes, the warmth of a parent's heart is shown, respecting their privacy and wanting them to live rich lives.

"If we were prepared to accept more people, more people would come."

Hokuryu Town's "spirit of harmony," which is to warmly welcome young people who come to a strange land as if they were family, is manifested in the concrete development of a living environment.

The importance of a place for heart-to-heart communication through meals and conversation

For young people who have come to town alone, daily meals and a place where they can chat freely after work are essential.

Hasegawa, the neighborhood association president, deeply recognizes the significance of the existence of restaurants in the neighborhood, and strongly hopes that such "places where people gather" will not be lost any more, and that new ones will be created.

We share delicious meals and laugh over trivial conversations. We acknowledge and appreciate each other's existence, regardless of age or position.

It is in these ordinary everyday scenes that the "circle of compassion" that will lead to world peace spreads.

Preventing isolation and embracing young people throughout the community, the soul of Hokuryu Town is certainly present in the warmth of these small dining tables.

Restoring lost bonds and cultivating future leaders

Memories of the Youth Group teach us the joy of growing together

One particularly passionate part of the conversation was his memories of the "Youth Group" that once existed in the town, a time when young people from each district would gather together to plan and run sports days and performing arts recitals, and receive support from adults in the community.

"When I went to ask the adults to buy tickets, they laughed and said, 'Well, we guess we have no choice,' and cooperated."

It is a warm memory of the whole community welcoming and watching over young people who took on challenges without fear of failure. It was not just a playground, but an irreplaceable "place for character development" where children could hone their communication skills, acquire social skills, and sometimes even meet their lifelong partner.

In today's world, with the rise of individualism, such opportunities for close interaction between young people are being lost. Behind the words of Hasegawa, the neighborhood association president, is a sincere wish to once again restore a "space of harmony" where young people can speak frankly, work hard, and laugh together.

A loving leader who says, "Follow me"

In order to maintain and further develop local communities, it is essential to have leaders who can inspire and unite people.

"We need people who are not only good at their jobs, but also have the ability to lead others."

The image of a leader that Mr. Hasegawa describes is not one who rules through power, but someone who has deep love and a sense of responsibility for those around them, who takes the initiative and creates harmony among people.

From club activities like a Kendama club to running an agricultural corporation, no matter how small the group, if there is a leader with a compassionate heart, the circle of people will surely expand.

Respecting the individuality of each individual while creating a beautiful harmony as a whole, the future of Hokuryu Town will be cultivated in a richer and warmer way by such caring leaders.

A message of hope from Hokuryu Town to the world

What emerges from the unpretentious words of the Hasegawa neighborhood association president is by no means a story of an extraordinary hero.

In their daily lives, the people of Hokuryu Town consider their neighbors, wish for the happiness of future generations, and love their community. These are the "ordinary kindnesses" that they do as naturally as they breathe.

However, in today's society where division and loneliness are widespread, perhaps this "ordinary" feeling is what people all over the world most long for.

Even as dirty farming evolves into smarter ways, what remains unchanged is "love for the earth" and "gratitude for the colleagues who work together." In a world where efficiency is increasing, the "spirit of harmony" that cultivates bonds through time and effort shines even more brightly.

With boundless love, gratitude, and prayers for the soul of Hokuryu Town, which is deeply rooted as a seed of hope in the hearts of people all over the world...

Other photos

Photos (8 photos) of the speech by Kiyotaka Hasegawa, chairman of the Wato Neighborhood Association are here >>

🖋️ Content planning, article writing, photo selection, and video creation: Ikuko Terauchi Photography, editing, and website management: Noboru Terauchi

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