Hokuryu Town Council Reporting Session & Council Cafe: A friendly and harmonious forum where townspeople can freely and comfortably exchange opinions

Friday, February 14, 2025

On Wednesday, February 12th, from 3:00 PM, the Hokuryu Town Council held a "Council Report Session & Council Cafe" in the multipurpose space of COCOWA, the Hokuryu Town Commercial Revitalization Facility. Approximately 20 town residents and council members participated, and the discussions were lively and fun, with a friendly atmosphere.

Hokuryu Town Council Reporting Session & Council Cafe

Sweets and flowers on the table

This year, for the first time, we introduced a style called the "Parliamentary Cafe," which provides a relaxed atmosphere where townspeople and council members can casually communicate over coffee, tea, and sweets.

Moderator: Councilman Nobuaki Teragaki

opening

Chairman Nakamura Shoichi's opening remarks

"In accordance with the Hokuryu Town Council Basic Ordinance, we will hold an assembly report meeting once a year. This time, for the first time, we will provide drinks and snacks, and have adopted a new style called the 'Assembly Cafe,'" said Chairman Nakamura. The meeting began with a discussion on the shortage of assembly members, assembly member remuneration, and the use of regional promotion coupons.

Hokuryu Town Council Reporting Meeting

The purpose of the council report meeting is to report on council activities to the townspeople, thereby hearing a variety of opinions from them, communicating with them, and actively working to develop the town with the participation of the townspeople.

Parliamentary report by Councilman Kazuo Kimura

Introduction to various committee activities and members of each committee

• The report included a report on the past year's activities, as well as information on the investigations of each committee, various opinions, implementation details, inspections, project budgets, and Hokuryu Town support systems.
• Standing Committee on General Affairs and Industry (7 members), Committee on Council Management (4 members), Special Committee on Public Relations (5 members), Special Committee on Urban Development and Other Investigative Matters (8 members), Special Committee on Disaster Preparedness (8 members), Audit Committee (1 member), General Council (8 members), Special Committee on the Future of Agriculture in Hokuryu Town (8 members)

Parliamentary Cafe and Opinion Exchange Meeting

This exchange of opinions was held in a conference format with emphasis on discussion, with participants split into two groups. The person speaking held a small stuffed toy called a "Talking Object (TO)" in their hand. After finishing speaking, the person passed the "TO" to the next person, and the discussion continued in order.

Three themes will be set, and each group will discuss each theme for about 20 minutes (each person will have about 3 minutes) (talking time), after which a representative from each group will summarize and present their opinions, and everyone will share the contents of their discussion (share time).

Prior to the talking time for each topic, explanations were given by the members of parliament.

1. Regarding local public transportation: Councilman Manabu Okino

In March 2022, the Sorachi Chuo Bus Hokuryu Takikawa Line was discontinued, and in April the town bus Hokuryu Meoseushi Line was launched to provide access to the Takikawa-Fukagawa area.

There were four buses departing from Hokuryu and three returning from Imobeushi, and there were regular and reserved buses. We were also given an explanation about bus fares and student commuter pass fares. Furthermore, we were given an explanation about the number of passengers and fares of shared taxis and school buses for travel within the town.

Talking Time

Share Time

Group A

• I want a direct flight to Fukagawa City Hospital
• Currently, parents are responsible for transporting their high school students to and from club activities and part-time jobs.
• The lack of public transportation is thought to be affecting tourist access to Himawari no Sato.

Group B

• Currently, the waiting time at the Imobeushi bus stop is a pain. I want a bus that will allow my children to get to school smoothly.
• How about a morning bus that goes directly to the school without any stopovers?
• Taxis are inconvenient because they have restrictions on the hours and days of use.
• Why not use ride-sharing services for the elderly that can be used mainly for going to the hospital but also for shopping etc.?
• The introduction of ride-sharing services requires the establishment of insurance and other necessary measures, but could the town provide support and form a volunteer group?

2. Regarding school and other complex facilities: Councillor Yoshiko Hayashi

The basic philosophy of Hokuryu Town's school education is "to strive to improve the school education environment and aim to create a school that is in harmony with the community, so that children can develop the ability to live and soar into the future while respecting individuality and diversity, in order to realize their individual dreams and goals."

Currently, Hokuryu Town is working on developing a school complex centered on compulsory education from elementary to junior high school, with the aim of opening in fiscal year 2029.

A review committee was established and met a total of five times between February and December 2024. A draft plan was compiled through surveys of townspeople, public meetings, and interviews with elementary and junior high school teachers and staff.

Public comments on the draft of Hokuryu Town's Basic School Education Policy and Complex Facility Basic Plan are being collected from Monday, February 10th to Friday, February 28th, 2025.

Talking Time

Share Time

Group A

• Where will the division of the nine-year system be drawn? I feel that the school management and classroom arrangements will change depending on whether it is "6-3" or "4-3-2."
• I want a place for young mothers and their children to stay. Currently, the nursery school's parking space makes it difficult for them to stay for long.
• Currently, children go from school to after-school care and then home. After-school care only covers children up to the third grade, and children in the fourth grade and above go back and forth between school and home. It would be good to have a system where someone could look after the children for about two hours until their parents return home, like a volunteer in the town.
• It would be good to have a place where children can come together with local residents. It would be good to have a place where local residents can help with their studies, play shogi, and talk to children, regardless of their age or grade level.

Group B

• One of the plans for utilizing the former junior high school site is to use it as a campground.
• It would be nice to have a place where children and adults can interact.

Reference information

3. Regarding the surcharge on parking fees at Himawari no Sato: Councilman Masato Sawada

The future of Himawari no Sato has been under consideration by a committee including townspeople since a proposal was received from a consultant about four years ago as part of a nationally subsidized project.

This is a grand plan that looks to the future of Hokuryu Town. Looking to the town's future, regional revitalization measures are needed in light of the town's declining population.

We have been holding open discussions on ways to increase the tourist population, with sunflowers at the center. We will gather various opinions and have them reflected in the town's policies. Tourism promotion has been discussed, but no concrete decisions have been made.

Talking Time

Share Time

Group A

• There seems to be an issue with collecting parking fees. A one-coin (500 yen) fee would be good to reduce collection time. What about camper vans? If an admission fee is charged, wouldn't there be a need for special benefits for visitors?

Group B

• The annual operating costs for Himawari no Sato are about 30 million yen. Discussions have begun on ways to increase revenue even slightly.
• Maybe we should look for a more beautiful sunflower variety than the current one?
• The Sunflower Festival is held in the hot summer months, so why not increase the number of resting places by cutting the undergrowth in the shady forests?

Comments from Tsutomu Sakamoto (former chairman of the Hokuryu Town Sunflower Tourism Association and former member of the Hokuryu Town Council)

"I am pleased that this Parliamentary Report, held in the form of a 'Parliamentary Cafe,' has become such an engaging conference. We are living in an era of great change, and the government is facing unprecedented financial hardships, and I believe that Parliamentarians are facing many challenges.

"The plans for the school facilities are also fantastic. I think it will require a huge budget. The biggest challenge we need to tackle now is for our town to survive, and for all the townspeople to come together and tackle the various issues," said Tsutomu Sakamoto.

Thank you message from Councilman Nobuaki Teragaki

"We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all the townspeople for their participation over such a long period of time.

In 2025, we held our first Diet member report in the form of a "Diet Member Cafe." Since this was a completely new attempt, we proceeded with some hesitation.

Finally, I would like to close this meeting by asking for some more words," said Councilman Nobuaki Teragaki.

Keiko Ozaki, Vice Chair and General Commentator

"I think it was great that we were able to exchange opinions in this way in an atmosphere where everyone felt comfortable sharing their opinions.

The composition of the council is also handled by everyone, including various committees and the Kita Sorachi Partial Affairs Association. Regular meetings are held four times a year. We manage this while also doing our own work. I believe our job is to listen to everyone's opinions, make adjustments, and put them into shape.

"We each have our own personalities and areas of expertise. I believe we can receive and respond to a variety of opinions in a variety of ways. Please feel free to contact us. Thank you very much," said Vice Chairperson Ozaki Keiko.

Impressions from participating townspeople

"This year's Parliamentary Cafe was held in a relaxed atmosphere, where people felt free to express their opinions, which was great. We love the atmosphere!" said one of the townspeople who participated, smiling.

The Hokuryu Town Council Report & Council Cafe listens to the various voices of the townspeople and works together with them to create a town full of vitality and smiles!

With boundless love, gratitude and prayers, we offer the "Assembly Cafe" a place for townspeople to talk and exchange opinions freely in a friendly, harmonious and relaxed atmosphere.

YouTube videos

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Photos of Hokuryu Town Council Cafe (81 photos) can be found here >>

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◇ Interview and text: Ikuko Terauchi (Photography and editing assistance: Noboru Terauchi)