Celebration held for Mr. Nobuo Murai, recipient of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays in the spring of 2020

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

In the spring 2020 awards ceremony, Mr. Nobuo Murai was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays in recognition of his many years of contributions to local government and regional development.

To celebrate this honor, a celebration was held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 25th, in the Hokuryu Town Community Center Large Hall.

Celebration for Mr. Nobuo Murai receiving the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays

Certificates and medals

Mr. Nobuo Murai, Celebration Program

Nobuo Murai - Biography

Nobuo Murai: Reminiscing on 1988

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was held in a scaled-down format, limited to local residents.

Given the current COVID-19 pandemic and the fact that there are still no confirmed cases of infection in Hokuryu Town, the founding committee held several meetings and decided to scale down the celebration, observe social distancing, and limit attendance to residents of Hokuryu Town. Approximately 70 people participated in the celebration on the day.

Moderator: Jun Takahashi, Secretary General of Hokuryu Town Council Secretariat

Scene from the venue

Murai Nobuo and Reiko enter

Representative speech from the promoter: Yasuhiro Sasaki, Chairman of the Hokuryu Town Council

"Thank you to everyone who attended the Celebration for Mr. Nobuo Murai receiving the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays.

Many thoughts went through my mind as we approached this day. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have taken measures to eliminate various risks. We also took various precautions at the community center venue, leaving ample space and ensuring adequate ventilation.

I'd like to explain the progress. On April 11th, we discussed holding a celebration for Mr. Nobuo Murai, who received the Spring Decoration, and decided to hold it on June 21st. However, with the COVID-19 state of emergency in place, it was decided to postpone the event as it would be extremely difficult to hold it. After several discussions, at the founding committee meeting on August 5th, we decided to hold the event on October 25th. We were all determined to hold the event, and so we arrived at this date.

Mr. Nobuo Murai served as a member of the Hokkaido Prefectural Assembly for two terms, eight years, and was awarded the prestigious Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays. The applicant for this award is Hokkaido, and normally this event would be jointly sponsored by Hokkaido and the Hokkaido Prefectural Assembly, but given the current situation, it has been decided that volunteers from the neighborhood association and the Hokuryu Town Assembly will act as initiators.

We were very hesitant about holding the event today, but we are pleased that we were able to hold it in the safe and secure town of Hokuryu.

Initially, Mr. Murai had provided us with a list of around 200 guests, but due to the severe circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have had to limit the number of participants, which we feel very sorry about. We are also very sorry that we have had to ask everyone from the Sapporo and Tokyo areas to refrain from attending. This is how today's celebration took place.

Given these circumstances, we hope you will understand that we are holding a celebration to celebrate Mr. Murai Nobuo's many years of achievements and hard work.

Mr. Murai's three daughters had hoped to attend the celebration and express their gratitude to everyone, but as of yesterday they too had to refrain from attending. We ask for your understanding that his family and relatives will also be unable to attend.

Congratulations on today," said Chairman Yasuhiro Sasaki in his greeting.

Presenting a bouquet

A bouquet of flowers was presented by Ms. Ayano Hayashi.

Commemorative gift presentation

A commemorative gift was presented by Akiko Tabata, Secretary of the Hokuryu Town Council Secretariat.

Congratulatory speech

Mayor Yutaka Sano of Hokuryu Town

I would like to extend my greetings on the occasion of the celebration for Professor Murai Nobuo to receive the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays.

We would like to offer our heartfelt congratulations on your receiving the Spring Decorations in March this year in recognition of your many years of outstanding contributions to the advancement of local autonomy.

Behind today's honor, I would also like to pay tribute to the hard work of his family and wife, who have devotedly supported him and protected his home, allowing him to devote himself to his work without worry.

Professor Murai has served as a member of the Hokuryu Town Council for 15 years since 1975, and as a member of the Hokkaido Prefectural Assembly for two terms of eight years since 1995, during which time he has demonstrated leadership with his extensive experience and outstanding insight, and has worked hard in a wide range of areas, including promoting industry, improving welfare, and promoting education and culture not only in our town but also in Hokkaido, and is a great contributor to the development and prosperity that we enjoy today.

It is no exaggeration to say that his achievements, which have earned him awards, have made him a driving force behind the advancement of local autonomy in our town.

In his local area, he served as chairman of the Hokuryu Farmers' Council and the Sorachi Farmers' Union, and worked to raise the social and economic status of agricultural producers in order to expand their wisdom.

He also serves as chairman and director of the Kurosengoku Business Cooperative, which produces Kurosengoku soybeans, a specialty of Hokuryu Town, and in 2015 he was awarded the Hokkaido Women and Seniors Challenge Activity Award, Grand Prize in the Seniors Category, in recognition of his sincere efforts.

A few years ago, I was asked to be a lecturer for internal training for city hall employees. The title of the lecture was "Health Tendeko." As you all know, "Tendeko" comes from widely known phrases such as "Tsunami Tendeko" and "Life Tendeko," which are used as disaster prevention lessons. It can be interpreted as meaning "The most important thing is for each of us to protect ourselves."

The true meaning of "Kenko Tendeko" is "the importance of food." With food now easily available at convenience stores, unbalanced nutritional intake has become a problem. In this environment, it is important to understand local areas through food, to pass on food culture, and to understand the blessings of nature and the value of agricultural activities.

"Only by eating real food without additives can you become healthy," is what Dr. Murai has been advocating honestly and sincerely as a farmer, a member of the farmers' union, and as a member of parliament.

We hope that Professor and Mrs. Murai will stay in good health and continue to provide us with your guidance in the development of the region and the creation of a safe and secure town.

"In closing, I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulatory prayers for the prosperity of the Murai family and the good health and happiness of all those in attendance today. Congratulations to Dr. Murai today," said Mayor Yutaka Sano.

Member of the House of Representatives, Hisashi Inatsu (read by Secretary Yasuo Ichinohe)

"Although Inatsu would normally be attending today, he will be absent due to the regular Diet session starting tomorrow. We sincerely apologize. Inatsu has been entrusted with a message, which he will read on his behalf.

"I would like to express my heartfelt congratulations on the grand celebration being held today for Mr. Murai Nobuo on receiving the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays.

We would like to express our deepest respect to Professor Murai for his many years of involvement in the farmers' movement and administrative activities, and his enormous contributions to the development of local agriculture and the town.

After serving as a member of the Hokuryu Town Council, he was elected to the Hokkaido Prefectural Assembly in 1995, and has made significant contributions to the development of Hokkaido. He also served as chairman of the local Hokuryu Farmers' Council and the Sorachi Farmers' Union, and was actively involved in advising the national government on agricultural policy.

With the foresight and insight he developed, he established the Hokuryu Town Soybean Shipping Association in 2005, and as its chairman, he pioneered the promotion of Kurosenkoku soybean cultivation, contributing to the development of Hokuryu Town and Hokkaido agriculture today, as you all know.

Although I was young, I had the opportunity to serve alongside Professor Murai as a member of the Hokkaido Prefectural Assembly at the same time. Even back then, I was inspired by his strong convictions and drive, which also encouraged me in my own work as a member of the assembly.

As the State Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, I have been primarily involved in COVID-19 countermeasures for the past year. Going forward, we must continue to hold various discussions and implement measures to bring this COVID-19 pandemic to an end.

I am determined to overcome these difficulties by inheriting the wisdom and spirit of my predecessors, such as Professor Murai, who survived the difficult times during and after the war and implemented various reforms. I would appreciate your continued guidance.

I would also like to offer my sincere gratitude to his wife, who has supported her husband behind the scenes until now.

I sincerely hope that Mr. Murai will continue to be in good health and be even more successful, and this concludes my congratulatory message.

October 25th, 2020, read by House of Representatives member Inatsu Hisashi. Congratulations on your arrival today.

Former Chairman of the Murai Nobuo Supporters Association, Mr. Ryoji Kikura

"I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Murai Nobuo on receiving the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays. Congratulations. I am particularly grateful to your wife, who I believe has endured many hardships, and I offer my congratulations to her as well, taking this into consideration.

Hokuryu Town has had the opportunity to be a third representative, following Kita Masakiyo in national politics and Goto Miohachi as a member of the prefectural assembly.

We would like to explain why Mr. Murai wanted us to run in the prefectural assembly.

In the Sorachi region, as prefectural assembly members, Naokazu Tsugawa of Numata Town and Arata Ohno of Urausu Town have worked very hard and made efforts to consider how to improve agriculture not only in Sorachi but in Hokkaido as a whole.

When Ohno Arata retired, various organizations held discussions, and then Vice Chairman of the Hokkaido Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations, Nao Muneji, took the lead and visited Hokuryu Town in April 1991. In a meeting room in Hokuryu Town, led by Mayor Yamamoto Takashi, Nao made a request: "From now on, Murai is the only one left. Please support Murai with all your might, including in the farmers' movement."

After he returned, we held a meeting with the people involved, and many of them expressed concern, asking, "Will it really be possible to hold an election in the way that Mr. Murai expects in such a small village?" Mayor Yamamoto also expressed concern, wondering if Hokuryu Town was really the right place for him.

When Nao-san came for the second time, he told me, "If you don't run now, agriculture in Hokkaido will be in big trouble. Please do whatever you can. The Hokkaido Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations, Hokuren, Shinren, Koseiren, and the Hokkaido Citizens' Movement will do everything they can to support you." So I decided to take on the challenge in Hokuryu Town.

Most of the townspeople gathered here today were helped by Mr. Murai during his time as a youth leader, the agricultural cooperative youth division, the farmers' council, and the lawyers' group initiative.

I think you can see why Mr. Murai was so sought after. Although it was a small village, he received support from over 60% of valid votes in the first election. In the second election, despite the town being in a very difficult situation, 79.8% (approximately 80%) of the valid votes in Hokuryu Town voted for Mr. Murai. This was the first time that Mr. Murai had received such a large amount of support from the town in any election up to that point.

I think that this is because Mr. Murai has always been a fireball in this village, not just working hard, but also making his case, saying that he will take the lead and that he will risk his life for this, and this is what has earned him the support of the townspeople.

Mr. Murai is now 88 years old, and still has time before he turns 100. In order for us to live peaceful, secure, and prosperous lives in today's society, agriculture and rural areas must be healthy. I hope that he will continue to encourage and inspire us with the same passionate spirit.

"Murai-san, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to your wife for all her hard work. Congratulations," said Kikura-san.

Congratulatory telegram presentation

A congratulatory telegram was presented by Akiko Tabata, Secretary of the Hokuryu Town Council Secretariat.

Governor of Hokkaido, Naomichi Suzuki

"I would like to express my heartfelt congratulations to everyone in the local community on today's celebration of former Hokkaido Prefectural Assembly member Nobuo Murai receiving the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays.

I have heard that even after your valiant retirement from the Hokkaido Prefectural Assembly, you continue to work hard for agriculture, the local community, and your family. I would like to conclude my congratulations by asking you to continue to maintain your health and support the Hokkaido and Hokuryu town governments."

Former Governor of Hokkaido and Member of the House of Councillors, Harumi Takahashi

"I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations to Professor Murai on receiving the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays, which is being held in Hokuryu, the town of sunflowers. I would like to express my gratitude and respect for his great achievements in discussing Hokkaido's agricultural policy from the perspective of a farmer and formulating it into policy.

We hope that you will continue to be healthy and successful in your future endeavors through "Kenko Tendeko." Finally, we would also like to thank everyone in Hokuryu Town for their support. Congratulations to Dr. Murai today."

Mr. Shoji Shirakawa, Member of the Hokkaido Prefectural Assembly

"I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations on the celebration of my political predecessor, Mr. Nobuo Murai, for receiving the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays. I would normally be in attendance to offer my congratulations, but I have heard that today's event will be held based on the New Hokkaido Style model, given the current situation with COVID-19 infections. I ask for your understanding that I will not be able to attend.

My business card is in Mr. Murai's calligraphy. As a farmer and member of the Hokkaido Prefectural Assembly, I have inherited his stance of speaking out about agricultural policy from the field and mobilizing the political power of farmers. I look forward to your continued guidance in the future.

To everyone in Hokuryu, although this year's Sunflower Festival has been cancelled, I hope that today's celebration of Dr. Murai will bring back a bright glow to the town, and I would like to conclude my congratulations by expressing my gratitude to the local community and his family who have supported Dr. Murai up to this day.

Ms. Ruriko Kurose, Ms. Mieko Fujise, Ms. Naoko Sugawara

"Congratulations on receiving this award. Over our long relationship, I have enjoyed and respected you, whether it was serious or nonsense, but once you receive the medal, it becomes difficult to greet people or even to perform nonsense. Please continue to give us smiles and energy.

Although we will not be able to see you in your haori and hakama, all of us at the Murai Sisters are deeply moved and would like to congratulate you from far away Sapporo in three heartfelt voices."

Acknowledgments: Nobuo Murai

"I would like to extend my thanks to everyone in attendance today. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to you all for taking the time to attend the celebration for my receipt of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays.

Right now, I am thinking about all of you gathered here, as well as the many people of the town and Sorachi, who have given me guidance, support, and encouragement, and I am honored to receive this award today, something I have never experienced in my life. Right now, I am filled with gratitude and ecstasy. My body is shaking, but I will do my best to greet you.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all of you for your daily support. I am truly honored and deeply moved by the greetings you have given me so far.

The most important thing to me is my family. The next most important thing is my health. I have continued to work hard for 88 years. And finally, my wife has worked hard with patience, perseverance, and endurance for the 63 years we have been married. As a family member and wife, she has supported me, pushed me forward, and encouraged me, and I believe that this is why I have received this honor today.

"I rarely say it out loud, but today I would like to say a few words of thanks to my wife and then conclude my speech. Thank you all so much," said Murai.

celebration

Toast: Chairman Yamamoto Takeshi of Hekisui Town

"Congratulations to Mr. Murai Nobuo on receiving the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays. As a member of the local community, I am extremely pleased.

Mr. Murai and I have been farming in the same area. When I started farming, it was just the time when the modernization of agriculture was beginning. Until then, farming was done by hand. It was a time when modern agriculture was changing to introduce large rice paddies and large machinery.

Mr. Murai took the lead in the local community, persuaded everyone, and got the project done. After that, Hokuryu Town saw rapid progress in modernizing agriculture. At the time, there were also national projects, but it was Mr. Murai who was one of the first to establish Hekisui Farm.

Mr. Murai devoted himself wholeheartedly to freeing farmers from the burden of hard farm work and promoting the modernization of agriculture. He eventually served as a member of the Hokkaido Prefectural Assembly. As a fellow local, I am very pleased and would like to express my sincere gratitude for his efforts in promoting local agriculture. Thank you very much.

Currently, Mr. Murai is living a comfortable life, enjoying his days with the members of the local senior citizens' club. We hope that he and his wife will continue to take good care of their health and continue to show us their energetic side.

I would like to propose a toast to Mr. Murai's continued good health and success, and to the good health of everyone gathered at today's celebration. Cheers!!!"

Celebration meal (Sunflower Park Hokuryu Onsen)

Full of smiles

Three cheers: Former Hokuryu Farmers Council Chairman Tanaka Moriaki

"Please understand that I have accepted the role of delivering the greetings because I believe that of all those gathered here today, I am the one who owes the most to Mr. Murai.

I first met Mr. Murai at the Youth Association. He was the leader of the Youth Association and the chairman of the Youth Association in Hokuryu Town. After serving as chairman of the Sorachi Agricultural Cooperative Youth Division, he went on to serve as vice chairman of the Hokkaido Agricultural Cooperative Youth Division and chairman of the Sorachi Farmers' Union, and later served as vice-chairman of the Hokuryu Town Council.

On the path I have walked, Mr. Murai has always been there as my senior, and more than just a senior, he has guided me as my mentor. Therefore, if I were to dissect my body, it would seem that parts named after Murai would emerge from all sides. Thank you very much. After that, you worked hard in the prefectural assembly, and today you are receiving this award. Thank you very much for all your hard work.

Finally, I would like to make just one point. At the time, I was the chairman of the Sorachi Farmers' Association, and the then Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries was scheduled to attend, so I also attended a meeting attended by representatives from each town and village.

I still remember the extremely concise and powerful petition that Mr. Murai, the Chairman of the Farmers' Association, made to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, representing Sorachi's agriculture: "Your job is to be on the side of us farmers. Currently, Hokkaido's agriculture is burdened with heavy debts due to investments in expansion, field preparation, machinery, etc. We strongly urge you to take drastic measures to promote commerce among the people and to establish Hokkaido." He has made an outstanding career and has been active in the prefectural assembly. I believe that today's award is well deserved.

As everyone has said, the greater a husband's achievements, the greater the burden and responsibility his wife bears. This time, the award is being received by Mr. and Mrs. Murai together. Therefore, I would like to close the event with three cheers for the two of you.

To the recipients of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays, Murai Nobuo and Reiko, hurrah! hurrah! hurrah!'

Mr. and Mrs. Murai leave the stage

We would like to offer our heartfelt congratulations on this honorable award.
It is with boundless respect, gratitude, and prayers that we recognize Mr. and Mrs. Murai Reiko for this glorious and honorable award, which recognizes their many years of outstanding achievements and hard work.

Other photos

・Photos (128 photos) of the 2020 Spring Award Celebration for Mr. Nobuo Murai, "Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays" are available here >>

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