Wednesday, September 4, 2024
Mayor Yasuhiro Sasaki's September inspection of Hokuryu Town took place from 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 3rd.
Shining young people: Kitajima Makoto and Ikegawa Takuya
Starting this month, a corner called "Shining Young People" will be launched in which Mayor Sasaki will support young people who will be responsible for the future of Hokuryu Town, including new employees (those just starting work)!
The first place we visited was COCOWA, a commercial revitalization facility in Hokuriku Town, where we met Makoto Kitajima (46 years old), who joined Hokuriku Town Promotion Corporation on Thursday, August 1st of this year.
The two are also joined by Takuya Ikegawa (41 years old), who was transferred to the Hokuryu Town Chamber of Commerce and Industry, adjacent to the Cocowa facility, as a management instructor from Monday, April 1st of this year!
Makoto Kitajima (Hokuryu Town Promotion Corporation)
He joined Hokuryu Town Promotion Corporation on Thursday, August 1st. He is in charge of both Hokuryu Onsen and Cocowa. Previously, he worked in supermarket operations at Hokuren Shoji Co., Ltd. (Sapporo City) for about 20 years.
I want to be able to contribute to Hokuryu Town
This time, I had the opportunity to speak to Mayor Sasaki.
Until then, I had always worked at a supermarket while away from home. I am originally from Hokuryu Town, and both my parents and family live there, but I rarely had time to spend with them.
Now that I'm over 40, I was thinking about working in my hometown of Hokuryu Town, where I could live with my family, if possible, and when I heard about this opportunity, I decided to take it.
Mayor Sasaki and I have been in the same neighborhood association since we were little, and he has treated us like family.
I thought it would be difficult to change jobs at my age, but since I originally worked in the supermarket industry, I think the work content at Cocowa will be fine.
On the other hand, this is my first time working at Hokuryu Onsen, so it will be difficult, but I would like to learn the job as quickly as possible and ultimately be able to contribute to Hokuryu Town.
I'm originally from Hokuryu Town, but I left it when I was in high school, so I don't know much about the town, but I love my hometown.
SUP instructor
As a hobby, I have a SUP instructor's license, so I can teach you if you wish. I spend most of my free time enjoying SUP.
In the surrounding area, you can try SUP at various locations (lakes, rivers, seas, etc.) such as the sea in Rumoi, the Sunagawa floodplain and oasis park, the auto campground in Ashibetsu, and the springs in Furano.
The appeal of SUP is that, unlike a boat or yacht, you can float freely on the water's surface and feel nature, such as the flow of the water and the gentle breeze, on your skin.
It has become a popular sport among young people, but there are many people who want to try it but don't know how to do it, so I hope that people from all walks of life in Hokuryu Town will become familiar with SUP sports.
The timing was just right in many ways, so I didn't hesitate to say, "I'll take care of you," and decided to work in Hokuryu Town.
Words of encouragement from Mayor Sasaki
I hope that in the future they will continue to work hard to come up with various projects to help Cocowa and Hokuryu Onsen become more lively and develop.
Many of the local residents know Kitajima Makoto, so I'm sure they'll be having conversations like, "Since Makoto is here, let's go shopping! Let's go to the hot springs!"
Makoto's daughter will be going to university next year, so it's a shame that we only have six months to spend together. I wish we had come back to Hokuryu sooner.
I hope that you will become a pillar of the town in the future. I hope that you will proactively get the word out, make friends, and expand your connections beyond the town. You are a rising star!!!
Takuya Ikegawa (Hokuryu Town Chamber of Commerce)
He began working as a business advisor for the Hokuryu Town Chamber of Commerce on Monday, April 1st of this year. He previously worked for the Numata Town Chamber of Commerce. He has worked for the chamber for eight years, and this is his first transfer to Hokuryu Town.
Interact with the townspeople
I used to work in sales in Sapporo, but even though there were a lot of people there, I wasn't very good at communicating.
At the same time, I was interested in small towns and wanted to interact with the local residents through the town's Chamber of Commerce, so I changed jobs to work at the Chamber of Commerce.
Hokuryu Town is a vibrant town
Everyone in Hokuryu is warm-hearted, and there are many people who love alcohol. I get the strong impression that everyone is having fun together. The Chamber of Commerce members are also cheerful and fun, so it's a very welcome environment.
I have two sons, one in the first year of junior high school and the other in the second year of elementary school, and I spend my days relaxing and playing with them. When I took my sons to Himawari no Sato, they were very moved and enjoyed taking lots of photos together.
When I visited Sunflower Village as an elementary school student, I remember thinking that the sunflowers seemed very tall.
After only a few months, I have come to realize that Hokuryu is a lively town. I hope to get used to it as soon as possible and get involved in events. Thank you for your support.
Words of encouragement from Mayor Sasaki
"Ikegawa-san's role is as an instructor, giving various advice to business owners and industrialists on management and other matters.
In this small town, the number of merchants and industrialists is declining, and a declining population is inevitable. However, I would like Mr. Ikegawa to take the lead in making this a town where everyone can enjoy and be happy.
I would like them to come up with ideas and promote festivals that all townspeople can enjoy, such as food trucks and beer parties. I hope that the surrounding youth groups will continue to support them, and that the entire Chamber of Commerce will become more lively.
Ikegawa-san is a refreshing young man, so I'm looking forward to seeing what he does next!
The bright young people of Hokuryu Town will be responsible for the future of the town!
Mayor Sasaki Yasuhiro will do his best to support and encourage each and every young person who has a deep love for Hokuryu Town and is passionate about the town, so that they can fully utilize their potential!
With boundless love, gratitude, and prayer, we hope that the small sparks of each young person will resonate and resonate with each other, becoming the great harmony of light in Hokuryu Town and shining ever brighter.
With boundless love, gratitude and prayers, this is a great harmony of light where small sparks resonate together.
Other photos
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The Japan Stand Up Paddleboard Association, a general incorporated association, is working to build a safe and enjoyable SUP lifestyle for its members, as well as promote SUP in Japan.
◇ Interview and text: Ikuko Terauchi (Photography and editing assistance: Noboru Terauchi)
