Hokuryu Town, Hokkaido, is a town of sunflowers. A warm, harmonious spirit, a caring heart, and the philosophy that "food is life" live on here. Since 2010, we have been following the story of this town, which Mayor Yasuhiro Sasaki has proclaimed to be "small but sparkling." We share this inspiration with the world. We deliver "joyful empathy" across borders in eight languages, connecting pro-Japanese countries and major languages.

  • January 9, 2026

Smiles of trust and cooperation bloom in the snow. Mayor Sasaki Yasuhiro visits neighborhood association presidents in the New Year

Friday, January 9, 2026 On Wednesday, January 7, Hokuryu Town was blanketed in a silvery white world. On this day, Mayor Yasuhiro Sasaki visited the homes of the neighborhood association presidents in each of the town's 10 districts and delivered New Year's greetings. "I hope you will work together to build our town," the mayor said. […]