Happy New Year 2020 Hokuryu Town Council Chairman Shoichi Nakamura

Monday, January 1, 2024

New Year's Greetings from Nakamura Shoichi, Chairman of the Hokuryu Town Council

message

We would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to all townspeople who have welcomed the New Year of Reiwa 6 in good health and well-being, including their families.

This year is the Year of the Dragon, and I have a feeling that it will be a good year for Hokuryu Town. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to the Hokuryu Town Council for their continued guidance and encouragement.

Following the retirement of Chairman Sasaki at the 4th regular meeting of 2023, I was elected by the members of the council as the 13th Chairman of the Hokuryu Town Council. At the start of my second term, I found myself questioning whether I, lacking in experience and ability, was worthy of taking on such an important role. However, with the support of all townspeople, I will do my best, so I ask for your continued support.

Last year, our town held an election for town council members, but for the third consecutive term, there was no vote and there were no seats. Councilman Takeshi Matsunaga, who served for nine terms and had been a long-time member of the town, passed away. This also applies to the one-sixth clause of the Public Offices Election Act, so elections were announced on January 9th and the election was held on the 14th. I sincerely hope that the eight-member quorum will be filled.

Additionally, the mayoral election will be held on February 4th. Mayor Yutaka Sano will be stepping down after 12 years at the helm of town administration. I would like to express my gratitude for all the hard work he has done in the past. While the current situation resembles an election campaign, I urge candidates to fully publicize their policies for the future of Hokuryu Town, to play honestly and fairly, and for voters to fully understand those policies and make their decision without abstaining from voting.

The long-lasting COVID-19 pandemic has imposed significant restrictions on our lives, but last year it was classified as Category 5 and things are gradually returning to normal. However, the wounds are still far from healed. Furthermore, various issues remain, such as rising fuel and electricity prices, and for farmers, rising fertilizer costs. We hope that our peaceful lives will return as soon as possible.

There are many problems and issues to be resolved, but the town's 1,640-plus residents will work together to create a better town.
I hope that this year will be a happy one for all the townspeople, and I would like to conclude my New Year's greetings with this.

From each member of parliament

• Keiko Ozaki (Vice-chairman, Special Committee Chair for Urban Development Investigations) We will work hard to resolve various issues.
• Kazuo Kimura (Chairman of the Council Management Committee, Special Committee on Public Relations, Special Committee on Disaster Preparedness, and Special Committee on the Future of Agriculture in Hokuryu Town) I am 82 years old and a newcomer, but I will do my best with a youthful spirit.
• Minoru Sato (Audit Committee Member, Chairman of the Council) I will work hard to properly audit the administration and finances and act as a coordinator for the council members.
• Nobuaki Teragaki (Chairman of the General Affairs and Industry Standing Committee) will conduct an investigation in accordance with the administrative enforcement policy and make improvements based on the findings.

From the Diet Secretariat

• Jun Takahashi (Chief Secretary General of the Assembly) Please send us your opinions to the Assembly. Thank you for your continued support this year.
• Akiko Tabata (Secretary) Thank you for your continued guidance this year.

＜ Excerpt from "Hokuryu Public Relations" January 2024 issue, No. 701 ＞

◇