Kurosengoku Business Cooperative (Hokuryu Town, Hokkaido) will be participating in the Kumiai Festival @ Chikaho 2022 (sponsored by the Hokkaido Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises Associations)!

Wednesday, November 2, 2022

The "Kumiai Festival," sponsored by the Hokkaido Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises Associations, was held for two days on Saturday, October 29th and Sunday, October 30th, at the Chikaho Kita 3-jo Intersection Square in the underground pedestrian space in front of Sapporo Station.

What is Kumiai Festival (Hokkaido Federation of Small and Medium Enterprise Associations)?

Fourteen associations active throughout Hokkaido that are members of the Hokkaido Federation of Small and Medium Enterprise Associations will be participating, enthusiastically promoting their activities and products!

At each booth, there were explanations of the activities, displays of various products for sale, a stamp rally lottery, a Mini 4WD experience, and flower arranging and flower growing experiences.

• Organizer:Hokkaido Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises Associations
• Sponsored by:Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Hokkaido Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry, Hokkaido Prefecture, Sapporo City, Hakodate City, Asahikawa City, Obihiro City, Kushiro City, Abashiri City, Kitami City, Muroran City, Tomakomai City, Iwamizawa City, Wakkanai City, Otaru City

Miai Festival Participating Groups

1. Kurosengoku Business Cooperative Association (Hokuryu Town)Homepage
2. Asahikawa Furniture Industry Cooperative Association (Asahikawa City)Homepage
3. Obihiro Liquor Sales Cooperative (Obihiro City)Reference page
4. Tokachi-Shintoku Fresh Free-range Chicken Business Cooperative (Shintoku Town)Homepage
5. Sapporo Plastering Industry Cooperative Association (Sapporo City)Reference page
6. Sapporo Seishin Automobile Business Cooperative Association (Sapporo City)Homepage
7. Hokkaido Used Car Dealers Association (Sapporo City)Reference page
8. Chienowa Business Cooperative Association (Betsukai Town)Homepage
9. Shiraoi Tourism and Business Cooperative Association (Shiraoi Town)Homepage
10. Hakodate Station Business Association (Hakodate City)Homepage
11. Welfare Group Business Association (Kushiro City)Homepage
12. Sapporo City Plumbing Industry Cooperative Association (Sapporo City)Homepage
13. Hokkaido Flower Dealers Cooperative Association (Sapporo City)Reference page
14. Hokkaido Event Promotion Association (Sapporo)Homepage
• TAMIYAHomepage



PR presentation on stage

Each group gave a PR presentation on the central stage. The event started off with a smooth presentation by the general MC!



"A two-day event, the Hokkaido Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Partnership Festival, was held in the Sapporo underground pedestrian space, bringing together 14 companies and associations.

It will take time for businesses to recover from the two-year restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. In this environment, new relief efforts, such as the digitization of communities and sharing, are gradually becoming necessary.

Various types of associations have great potential to play an increasingly important role in the future. 14 associations and organizations with such potential have gathered at this venue. We hope to introduce the possibilities each association holds to everyone, and through the two-day "Kumiai Festival," you will feel even a little closer to the role of small and medium-sized business associations. Please come along.

We have prepared a questionnaire for you to fill out. Attached to the questionnaire is a stamp rally lottery with prizes that you can win.
The prizes include a Chateraise accommodation voucher, a 5,000 yen flower gift certificate, dorayaki pancakes, and other luxurious items. Please come and enjoy! There will also be a Mini 4WD experience corner set up within the venue, which is popular with children, so we hope you will take this opportunity to participate.

Kurosengoku Business Cooperative Association (Hokuryu Town)Homepage

The first speaker was Takada Yukio, chairman of the Kurosengoku Business Cooperative Association in Hokuryu Town!



"My town, Hokuryu, is located in the north of the Sorachi region. It is a small town with a population of just 1,600 people, but it is a wonderful town of sunflowers. The Sunflower Festival, which was held for one month this summer (mid-July to mid-August), attracted 280,000 tourists.

The "Kurosengoku soybeans" grown in Hokuryu, the town of the sun, are tiny black soybeans with black seed coats but green kernels inside.

Kurosengoku soybeans, also known as the "phantom Kurosengoku," were once (from around 1935 to 1975) used as winter fertilizer for horses and cattle in the Sorachi region and as green manure in the Tokachi region. In the Heisei era, an agricultural researcher discovered the original Kurosengoku seeds and germinated them. After that, they were temporarily moved to Iwate Prefecture, but were returned to their home town of Hokkaido where cultivation began.

Kurosengoku, with its beautiful green flesh inside, is a very delicate bean that requires plenty of sunlight and thrives in Hokkaido's harsh environment with large temperature differences.

In addition to raw beans, they are also processed and developed into a variety of products such as natto, kinako (roasted soybean flour), tea, and Kurosengoku meat.

Each product contains no additives, and I sprinkle soybean flour on my yogurt every morning. I'll be 80 in seven months, and Kurosengoku soybeans are my source of energy. I'm grateful every day that I can stay healthy by eating natural foods.

The "raw Kurosengoku soybeans" I brought with me this time are freshly harvested "new beans" harvested at the end of October this year. I quickly prepared them and managed to get them in time for today's event.

The "Bean Rice" set includes Kurosengokudon, germinated brown rice, rice, salt, kelp, and other ingredients, all of which are mixed together to make bean rice.

Furthermore, the development of Kurosengoku Soy Meat was extremely difficult, and there is no manufacturing plant in Hokkaido, so we had to go all the way to Gifu Prefecture to finally get it done.

Kurosengoku Soybean Meat is made by extracting the oil from Kurosengoku soybeans, then heating, pressurizing and drying them at high temperatures.It has a meat-like taste and texture, is rich in protein and is a familiar food ingredient for health-conscious people.

Currently, Kurosengoku Meat is also being served in school lunches in Kita Sorachi.

"I hope you will eat lots of these naturally blessed Kurosengoku soybeans and stay healthy and active!!! Thank you very much!" said Chairman Takada with great energy.









Shiraoi Tourism and Business Cooperative Association (Shiraoi Town)Homepage

The tour will cover Shiraoi's specialty Ainu crafts, the characteristics and hidden meanings of Ainu patterns, and how to play the Ainu folk instrument "Mukkuri," followed by a demonstration!









Chienowa Business Cooperative Association (Betsukai Town)Homepage

Introducing the characteristics of the three flavors of NOWA's original brand cup ice cream, "Strawberry Cake," "Extra Milk," and "Bistachio," which are part of Chienowa's original product line!







Hokkaido Flower Dealers Cooperative Association (Sapporo City)Reference page

Children from the flower school "Bosc" appeared on stage dressed in Halloween costumes and introduced the names of flowers in English.



"We use seasonal flowers and carry out an initiative called 'hanaiku', which stimulates the five senses by tearing off petals and sensing their scent. We value interactions with people from different cultures," said the representative.





Hakodate Station Business Association (Hakodate City)Homepage

Introducing "Noshi squid," "Kelp root stock," and "Hakodate Jujiya coffee blend beans," which are only sold at the Hakodate Morning Market!







Welfare Group Business Association (Kushiro City)Homepage

We sell handmade bread and baked goods from Kushiro Pan-ya, a business run by the Welfare Group, a corporate union that operates a Type A employment support facility in Kushiro City, as well as dog clothes from Kushiro Wanko, a dog cafe and grooming salon!

"Usually our 'pumpkin bread' is popular, but at this event our 'dog clothes' were really popular! We've learned that there are regional differences," said the representative.







Tokachi-Shintoku Fresh Free-range Chicken Business Cooperative (Shintoku Town)Homepage

Introducing charcoal-grilled Shintoku chicken, a new specialty of Shintoku Town, as well as chicken wings and wing tips roasted in roast pork!



"We want people all over the country to know about the quality and flavor of Shintoku Jidori, which is comparable to the three major local chickens in Japan. We would like to work to make Shintoku Jidori the first thing that comes to mind when talking about local chicken in Japan," said the representative.



Sapporo Seishin Automobile Business Cooperative Association (Sapporo City)Homepage



A story about the automobile maintenance business in Sapporo.
"It is important to prevent accidents by detecting problems early through vehicle inspection and maintenance. We carry out regular inspection and maintenance to prevent accidents. In the future, vehicle inspection certificates will be digitized and various parts and other items will continue to evolve every day, so we will continue to make efforts to provide maintenance that can keep up with these advances," said the representative.



Hokkaido Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises Associations (Sapporo)Homepage

Yoshihide Nakajo, section chief of the Hokkaido Federation of Small and Medium Enterprise Associations' Collaboration Support Department, introduced the participating associations.



The Hokkaido Federation of Small Business Associations has around 1,300 member associations across Hokkaido. An association is made up of four or more companies or small business owners. This year's Kumiai Festival was held with the cooperation of 14 companies and associations.

The Hokkaido Federation of Small Business Associations is an organization that promotes the development of small and medium-sized businesses by carrying out a variety of activities, including union management, human resource development, research and studies, information gathering, and subsidy programs. It has its headquarters in Sapporo and provides various types of support that are closely tied to the local community through its nine branches throughout the prefecture.

We would like you to get to know the local people and the small and medium-sized businesses that are active in the community, and while you are getting to know these associations, we would also like you to remember the Japan Federation of Small Business Associations.

We hope that this will lead to communication between not only consumers but also unions themselves, leading to collaboration and increased activity.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the unions who participated and cooperated with us this time. We would like to introduce the participating unions.

Kurosengoku Business Cooperative Association (Hokuryu Town)Homepage

They are working hard to make the locally grown Kurosengoku soybeans known to as many people as possible.
If you look at Director Takada, you will see that he is very healthy and looks young, making it hard to believe he is 80 years old. I believe this is proof that Kurosengoku soybeans are the source of his health.





Asahikawa Furniture Industry Cooperative Association (Asahikawa City)Homepage

This is an association of small and medium-sized enterprises that produce furniture with local brands that can be proudly presented around the world. Please come and visit our showroom in Asahikawa to experience the warmth of the wood and the beautiful designs.





Obihiro Liquor Sales Cooperative (Obihiro City)Reference page

The Obihiro Liquor Sales Cooperative carries local sake from all over Hokkaido, as well as local sake from Tokachi such as "Tokachi Hare" and "Kamikawa Daisetsu," which are not usually available.







Tokachi-Shintoku Fresh Free-range Chicken Business Cooperative (Shintoku Town)Homepage

The store is lined with products such as charcoal-grilled and smoked Shintoku chicken, which convey the chairman's passionate desire to "take this opportunity to let everyone know about Shintoku's local chicken."



Sapporo Plastering Industry Cooperative Association (Sapporo City)Reference page

The plastering, tatami, and construction-related associations are currently in a difficult situation, but the craftsmanship of manual labor is valuable and will not disappear in the future, so these are industries that will continue to be cherished. I would be happy to hear the stories of these craftsmen and have the opportunity to actually experience even a little bit of their work.



Sapporo Seishin Automobile Business Cooperative Association (Sapporo City)Homepage

Automobile repair associations in each region train hard every day to keep up with the new technologies constantly being developed by major automakers. Local repair shops are places where you can get face-to-face advice, with the aim of helping local residents drive safely and enjoy their car life.



Hokkaido Used Car Dealers Association (Sapporo City)Reference page

We provide know-how and information when considering purchasing a used car, and strive to make it easier for you to drive a used car with peace of mind. We hope you remember "JU."



Chienowa Business Cooperative Association (Betsukai Town)Homepage

We are a dairy farm based in Betsukai Town. Please come and try our delicious puddings and ice cream. We hope you will support our dairy farming by drinking your favorite milk every day.



Shiraoi Tourism and Business Cooperative Association (Shiraoi Town)Homepage

They used to do business in a facility called Shiraoi Mintara, but with the opening of Shiraoi's "Upopoy (Ethnic Rehabilitation Symbolic Space)" in 2020, they have set up a cafe and shop on the same premises and are now open for business.

There will be a wide selection of Ainu crafts on display, so we hope you will enjoy touching them and learning about Ainu history and culture.



Hakodate Station Business Association (Hakodate City)Homepage

Hakodate is rich in seafood and is famous for its Hakodate Morning Market. Most of the shop owners have close ties to the local community, so we hope you'll stop by, meet their faces, and listen to their stories about the local area while you pick up some products.



Welfare Group Business Association (Kushiro City)Homepage

In Kushiro City, they have organized a union that provides employment opportunities for people with physical disabilities, and they produce and sell handmade products. They are contributing to the local community. We hope you will pick up a product while thinking of the people who made it.



Sapporo City Plumbing Industry Cooperative Association (Sapporo City)Homepage

We are involved in the waterworks business, a lifeline for daily life. We work to protect our daily lives. We are also preparing to provide emergency water supplies in the event of a disaster, and to respond to heavy snowfall disasters. We hope you will hear about important information for everyday life, including information on cooperation in the event of a disaster.



Hokkaido Flower Dealers Cooperative Association (Sapporo City)Reference page

I hope that by having flowers in your life, you will be able to enrich and enjoy your daily life. The more beautiful the flowers, the more difficult work goes into their creation. I hope that you will not only appreciate the elegance of these beautiful flowers, but also appreciate the accumulated effort that goes into their creation.



Hokkaido Event Promotion Association (Sapporo City)Homepage



In hosting this first event, we received guidance and support from the Event Promotion Association, sharing their know-how. We look forward to taking on various events in the future, so we appreciate your continued support.

The 14 participating associations are working hard every day to carry out community-based activities that protect the lives of local citizens, so we would appreciate your continued support in the future. Please take the time you have left to enjoy a good conversation!" said Nakajo.

Lottery corner run by the Central Association staff







Closing remarks: Makoto Karame, Secretary General of the Hokkaido Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises Associations





"Thank you for your hard work! Over the two days, we had many more people come than we expected. Thanks to everyone's cooperation, we were able to put on a wonderful event. Thank you very much.

We received 570 responses to the stamp rally survey over the two days of the event. We would like to introduce some of them here.
　

• I was happy to be able to purchase a variety of items.
• I had fun learning
• The explanations given by the staff at each booth were thorough and helpful.
• It was good to learn about a group I didn't know about.
• I want to participate again next time
• It was fun to experience
• I was glad to get information that I couldn't get from afar.

We received a variety of opinions, such as:

The aim of this event was to widely disseminate information about cooperatives that are rooted in local communities throughout Hokkaido and are working hard. I believe we were able to achieve our initial goal.

However, as this was our first attempt, we understand that there were many inconveniences. Based on this experience, we would like to move forward with planning for the second event next year. We will continue to prepare to make this a fulfilling event, so we hope you will participate in consecutive events.

In closing, I wish your union continued success and good health to all staff members.

Secretary General Karame expressed his gratitude by saying, "Thank you very much to everyone for the past two days!"



It was a wonderful two days where we were able to feel the passion and powerful energy of the Hokkaido small and medium-sized enterprises that are rooted in the community and work hard every day, interacting closely with local people.

I am truly grateful for learning about the wonderful activities of each company and organization, sharing their excitement and joy, and for the wonderful connections I have made! Thank you very much!
　
The "Kumiai Festival" brings together small and medium-sized business associations from Hokkaido and uses their passionate energy to promote their various businesses!!!
It was a wonderful space where you could see, hear, interact and fully appreciate the charms of each!
We send our boundless love, gratitude, and prayers to the Kumiai Festival, a rainbow bridge that connects wonderful connections between companies and people.
　




Information on the event is available on the Facebook page "Hokuryu Town Treasures"

Other photos

Photos (150 photos) from the Kumiai Festival @ Chikaho 2022 (hosted by the Hokkaido Federation of Small and Medium Enterprise Associations) are available here >>

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◇ Photography and editing: Noboru Terauchi Interview and text: Ikuko Terauchi