Happy New Year 2020 Hokuryu Town Council Chairman Shoichi Nakamura

January 1, 2025 (Holiday)

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

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We would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to all townspeople, as we believe that you and your families are in good health and well-being as we welcome the New Year of Reiwa 7.

Last year, a large-scale earthquake occurred in the Noto region on New Year's Day, followed by heavy rain disasters in September. Numerous damages were also reported nationwide, including earthquakes, strong winds, and heavy rain caused by linear rain bands. We would like to once again express our condolences and sympathies to all those affected. Our town has been spared any major natural disasters. In November, a disaster preparedness stockpile warehouse was completed, and we are now ready to respond in the event of an emergency.

In agriculture, a shortage of rice stocks has made it difficult to meet requests for hometown tax donations, resulting in rice disappearing from sales floors by summer. Last year's harvest was rated "fairly good," but the sense of scarcity caused rice prices to soar. However, rice is necessary for producers to reproduce, and the long-standing low prices are thought to have been one of the reasons for the lack of agricultural successors. Furthermore, there are reports of the import of cheap single-grain rice varieties, which seems to go against the current situation amid calls for improving self-sufficiency. Our town needs to continue discussions with the JA to secure rice, which is the main product for precious hometown tax donations.

In April, the Fukagawa-Hokuryu Line operated by Sorachi Chuo Bus was discontinued, and the route that had been operating as a connecting service to Oiwake bus stop for two years to serve the Takikawa area was changed to operate only at Imoseushi. Although the route now connects to Chuo Bus and JR for the Takikawa and Fukagawa areas, there are still issues to be addressed. It is necessary to comprehensively develop local public transportation, including shared taxis within the town, including school buses.

Although the assembly was described as having a "vacant seat," we were able to fill the quorum through a by-election held early in the new year, with two newcomers and a former member running. I would like to express my gratitude once again to everyone who has worked hard in various ways. The shortage of candidates for assembly members is a nationwide issue. While some have pointed out that salaries should be increased, I do not believe that this is the only factor. Going forward, I intend to promote assembly activities that make it an aspirational position for everyone. I would appreciate your opinions, requests, and guidance regarding the assembly. Our town faces a myriad of other issues and challenges. All assembly members will continue to hold thorough discussions and work hard to create a town where each and every resident is happy to live.

In closing, I would like to offer my heartfelt New Year's greetings, wishing all residents good health and prosperity.

A word from the members of parliament

• Vice-chair Ozaki Keiko: I hope you all have a prosperous new year.
• Councilman Manabu Okino: This is my second year as a council member. I will continue to work hard.
• Member of Parliament Yoshiko Hayashi: I will continue to work hard every day.
• Nobuaki Teragaki: The two men are drinking together, and the mountains are blooming.
• Councilman Minoru Sato: I will work hard as a council member to help develop the town.
• Councilman Kazuo Kimura: We will promote town development that will enhance the locational conditions of Hokuryu Town.
• Masato Sawada: Parliament is fun. I'm looking forward to the power of young people.

A word from the Diet Secretariat

• Jun Takahashi, Secretary General: Please send us your opinions to the assembly. Thank you for your continued support this year.
• Secretary Fujita Natsuki: Thank you for your guidance this year as well.

<Excerpt from "Hokuryu Public Relations" January 2025 issue, No. 713>

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