Mayor Sasaki Yasuhiro explores the charms of Hokuryu Town [May 2025] He visits to encourage Hokuryu Junior High School Principal Miyoshi Takao, Shinryu Elementary School Vice Principal Kumabayashi Masaru, and five reliable people who have been appointed as community revitalization cooperation team members!

Monday, May 12, 2025

On Thursday, May 8th, Mayor Sasaki explored the town's attractions. In May, he visited and encouraged the newly appointed principal of Hokuryu Junior High School, Takao Miyoshi, vice principal of Shinryu Elementary School, Masaru Kumabayashi, five newly appointed local revitalization cooperation team members, physical education instructor Aki Shiraishi, librarian Asaka Omi, tourism representative Yuto Sakai, event representative Masayuki Takatsuki and Tsubasa Arai, and library administrative assistant Atsuko Watanabe.

Community center: training room and library

1. Physical Education Instructor, Aki Shiraishi (Regional Revitalization Volunteer)

"My name is Shiraishi Aki and I'm from Hokuryu Town. I started working as a local revitalization volunteer on May 1st.

I studied at Tokyo Women's College of Physical Education (Kunitachi City, Tokyo) and then worked as an instructor in Tokyo for many years. I would like to use that experience to help people in the town become healthy and energetic.

What led me to Hokuryu Town was the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic had had a major impact on the city, leading to a decrease in work. As I approached the milestone of turning 50, I felt a strong desire to take on a new challenge. I decided to take the plunge and help my hometown.

"I only lived here until I was in junior high school, so my impression of Hokuryu is that everyone there was friendly and helped each other out. These days, relationships with people in urban areas are becoming weaker, but I hope to have fun in this town, interacting with all kinds of people," Shiraishi said with a bright smile.

Encouragement from Mayor Yasuhiro Sasaki

"Although Aki Shiraishi was not a classmate of my daughter or son, I have known her well since she was a child.

I knew that she had played table tennis at a high school in Asahikawa and then studied at Tokyo Women's College of Physical Education. I never expected that she would choose Hokuryu Town and come back. I made an immediate decision during the selection process.

Shiraishi-san is a very energetic and cheerful person, and I am very happy that she came to this town of bright sunflowers and that she wants to give back to the townspeople.

I hope that they will share their various realizations based on their experiences living in the city and help determine the direction of the town.

I have high hopes for you, as you are a perfect fit for the direction Hokuryu Town is aiming for. Please feel free to work freely and comfortably. As a leader of the local revitalization cooperation team, I hope you will take the lead and take action.

"His future work will involve work related to the pool, and he will also be attending B&G training, so I am looking forward to it," said Mayor Sasaki.

2. Librarian Omi Asaki (Regional Revitalization Volunteer)

"My name is Omi Asaka and I have been working as a librarian in Hokuryu Town since April 1st. I am originally from Kitahiroshima City.

I visited Hokuryu Town as a child and visited the sunflower village. When I visited Hokuryu Town again last fall, I learned that the town was looking for a librarian. After that, through email correspondence and interactions with the townspeople, I felt that it seemed like a nice place to live, so I chose this town.

"Our future vision is to make the library more accessible to people. One idea is to arrange the lighting and create a cafe-like atmosphere," says Omi.

3. Library Administrative Assistant, Watanabe Atsuko

"I have been working here as an administrative assistant since May of last year. My name is Atsuko Watanabe (42 years old). I am originally from Fukagawa City. I had always dreamed of working in a library, but there were not many openings, so I had a different job. When the recruitment for this town came up, I applied.

"We are currently discussing with Omi, led by the superintendent of education, the future of Hokuryu Town. We hope to create a library that is welcoming to everyone, a bright and comfortable place that both adults and children can enjoy," says Watanabe.

Encouragement from Mayor Yasuhiro Sasaki

"There is currently a plan to restructure the Board of Education, library and museum together in preparation for the opening of a compulsory education school that will provide integrated elementary and junior high education.

We are already in the preparation stage. Even at this stage, we have a strong desire to "listen to the voices of children," and we think it would be best if this could be reflected in the library in particular.

It was under these circumstances that these two people came to visit us. We realize that the children's projects are giving courage and energy to the people of this town. We have high hopes for them. We will support them as much as we can, so please do not hesitate to offer your suggestions. Superintendent Tanaka, who is in charge of the project, will listen to your suggestions and respond accordingly.

"We are currently receiving proposals to dismantle this entire corner counter and turn it into a corner where people can interact with children. We would be delighted if someone were willing to take over this fine corner facility. Is there anyone interested?" said Mayor Sasaki.

Move to Shinryu Elementary School

On this day, an "Open-Air Classroom" was held at the elementary school, where first and second graders and third and fourth graders experienced traffic rules under the guidance of the Hekisui Police Station of the Fukagawa Police Station.

4. Yu Kumabayashi, Vice Principal, Shinryu Elementary School

"I am Masaru Kumabayashi (47 years old), and I have recently been appointed as vice principal of Shinryu Elementary School.

I'm originally from Sapporo and used to live in Iwamizawa, but I'm currently living in a teacher's housing complex next to the school.

I play baseball, so I would like to join the Hokuryu Town baseball team. Thank you very much.

This is my first time as vice principal, so I would like to do my best to ensure that the children at Shinryu Elementary School are able to thrive and be active. I look forward to watching the children grow in the future.

Regarding compulsory education schools, up until now, what was taught in elementary school has been repeated in junior high school, but at the same time, there have been some shortcomings in both. By making it compulsory education schools, we hope that these issues will be resolved and education can be carried out efficiently without waste.

Author of "Another World Life Starting from Moss" by Momopapa (pen name) MF Books

The impetus for writing my first book came when a fellow teacher introduced me to a book in this genre (web-submitted novels) after I started working.

It was so interesting that I found a website where I could read it for free online, so I started reading my favorite genre, but then I ran out of things to read. So I thought I'd try writing it myself.

The story is about a series of reincarnations due to a mistake made by a god.

As I was thinking about various genres of reincarnation, I wondered what genre would be below plants, and "moss" came to mind, so I decided to make "moss" the starting point for the protagonist's reincarnation.

"This book has been well received by teachers and families, who say it's amazing. This story is aimed at junior high school students, but we're still keeping it a secret from the kids at school (laughs)," Vice Principal Kumabayashi said with a bashful look on his face.

📘【Amazon】Another World Life Starting from Moss 1(MF Books) Paperback – January 24, 2025 by Momopapa (author), Muni (illustrator)

Encouragement from Mayor Yasuhiro Sasaki

"I've had the opportunity to talk to him on many occasions, and he's a wonderful person, and an accomplished scholar and athlete.

He has a keen eye for the children, and I feel he is the perfect vice principal to help build the foundation for their future compulsory education. I am very much looking forward to it.

I am also pleased and look forward to Vice Principal Kumabayashi being an author," said Mayor Sasaki.

Encouraging Toshio Ishikawa, a janitor at Shinryu Elementary School

Move to Hokuryu Junior High School

5. Takao Miyoshi, Principal of Hokuryu Junior High School

I am Miyoshi (56 years old), principal of Hokuryu Junior High School, and I am here today, effective April 1st, from Uryu Elementary School. I am originally from Tsukigata Town and live in Iwamizawa City.

I would like to aim to create a school where children can think, "School is fun." I am happy to be assigned to a school famous for its sunflowers. I look forward to working with you all.

Hokuryu Town is a town of sunflowers and hot springs, so I feel it is a very livable town.

There are only 35 students in the student household (family), but all of them are very diligent. They are able to diligently and carefully participate in various activities every day, such as committee activities and cleaning.

"I really feel that the students are very proud of the sunflowers in this town. I think this feeling will lead them to cherish their hometown," said Principal Miyoshi.

Encouragement from Mayor Yasuhiro Sasaki

"He has been here since April, and we have had the opportunity to talk about a variety of things. We have heard about Principal Miyoshi's thoughts and the town's direction regarding education.

Last week, I also participated in a teacher training session. I feel that the teachers are working very hard as they move forward as a junior high school. We are now in the preparation period for the integrated elementary and junior high school, so I look forward to your continued support.

"The symbol of welcoming everyone at the annual Sunflower Festival is the 'World Sunflower Guide' provided by students from Hokuryu Town School. I am delighted that the students' warm welcome and hospitality are what lead us to the sunflower village," said Mayor Sasaki.

Move to Hokuryu Town Hall

6. Tourism: Masato Sakai (Regional Revitalization Volunteer)

"My name is Yuto Sakai (29 years old). I'm originally from Niigata Prefecture. I worked as a local revitalization volunteer in the neighboring town of Chishibetsu for three years.

I'm interested in tourism, so I hope to contribute to promoting the sunflower tourism in Hokuryu Town. I think the sunflowers in Hokuryu Town are an important tourist resource for the Kita Sorachi area, so I wanted to get inside and learn about various things.

"I've started posting information on Instagram. Cherry blossoms are now blooming all over Hokuryu town. I hope to continue learning more about the charms of Hokuryu and sharing them with others," says Sakai.

Encouragement from Mayor Yasuhiro Sasaki

"Mr. Sakai established a network of local revitalization cooperation volunteers in Sorachi and is the group's representative. I have been interested in him for a long time.

Sakai-san had a strong desire to spread the word about sunflower tourism in Hokuryu, and he was the perfect person for the job, so I was very glad that we were able to form this connection.

"I hope you will spread a wide range of opinions with a strong desire to revitalize tourism, which is what you most want. I would like to see tourism in Hokuryu develop for the foreseeable future. I have high hopes for you!" said Mayor Sasaki.
　

Sorachi Deview

[Marche held on Sunday, June 23rd] Sorachi Regional Revitalization Cooperation Team Network Established! | Sorachi Debut

Sorachi De View covers the little-known topics of the Sorachi region of Hokkaido, including food and tourist spots recommended by locals, event information, and more.

7. Events: Masayuki Takatsuki (Regional Revitalization Volunteer)

"My name is Takatsuki Masayuki. Nice to meet you. I'm from Shinhidaka Town. I studied at Hokkaido Information University in Ebetsu and graduated this year.

I was involved in the video production for the Hokuryu Town event "Projection Mapping," which led to my connection with the town, and I have now been appointed as a local revitalization cooperation team member.

"My main goal is to utilize my strengths in social media and event planning, and match them together to liven up the town. I look forward to working with you," said Takatsuki.

8. Events: Tsubasa Niida (Regional Revitalization Volunteer)

"My name is Arai Tsubasa. I was born and raised in Chitose City. Like Takatsuki, I graduated from Hokkaido Information University this year. I became acquainted with Hokuryu Town through my university seminar activities, and have been given the opportunity to work here as a community revitalization volunteer.

My goal is to make Hokuryu Town a town that is known around the world. I look forward to working with you.

Sister city plan with Lopburi Province, Kingdom of Thailand

One of the grand plans we have in mind for the future is to establish a sister city relationship between Hokuryu Town and Lopburi Province in the Kingdom of Thailand.

One reason is that Lopburi Province in Thailand is the largest sunflower producing area in Thailand (area 1,600 hectares), and is a world-famous tourist destination where sunflowers bloom for three months straight from November to January.

Another reason is that I have connections with universities in Thailand.
Hokkaido Information University is running an international exchange program with Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi (RMUTT) in the Kingdom of Thailand through mutual student exchange. I am participating in this program as an exchange student and have had the opportunity to interact with professors and students at the university.

"Through this connection, we aim to realize international exchange through collaboration between Hokuryu Town, Hokkaido Information University, RMUTT, and Lopburi Province, including agricultural technology exchange, cross-cultural study abroad for children, and the exchange of know-how on sunflower tourism businesses, and this will be the theme for the three years to come," said Arai, enthusiastically discussing his grand vision.
　

Thailand Tourism Information Site | [Official] Tourism Authority of Thailand

Sunflower Train | [Official] Tourism Authority of Thailand

[Official] Sun Flower Train. Thailand tourism information site provided by the Tourism Authority of Thailand Japan Office. Thailand's...

Encouragement from Mayor Yasuhiro Sasaki

"I have been in contact with the two of them for three or four years through events. I have spoken with many students from the University of Information Science.

I had been thinking about how to get these energetic students to come to Hokuryu Town, and so I came up with the idea of having them come as local revitalization volunteers. When I proposed this to former university president Jun Nishihira (now president Shigeto Watanabe), he was pleased and we got the idea underway.

In reality, they would like to live in this town forever and help build it together, but they also have the ambition to use this place as a career and spread their wings to bigger and more exciting things, so we would like to support their future potential.

Even if you leave Hokuryu Town in three years, I hope you will not forget that it is your second home and will continue to promote it and take part in activities here.

I hope you will use your abilities to match your own potential with the town's potential. I look forward to it.

This time, we asked Takatsuki-san to create a "Recruitment Poster for Architectural Technician Positions." Yesterday, we took this poster to Hokkaido University of Science (Sapporo City) and it was very well received!"

Koji Takahashi, a janitor at the town hall

Finally, the town hall janitor, Koji Takahashi, and the yellow host all smile!!!

Hokuryu Town welcomes five reliable local revitalization cooperation team members, including the newly appointed principal of Hokuryu Junior High School and vice principal of Shinryu Elementary School, and the waves of passion from each of these people are spreading throughout the town!!!

With boundless love, gratitude, and prayers for the further development and golden brilliance of Hokuryu Town's future, where major reforms are planned to create an integrated elementary and junior high school for compulsory education...

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Mayor Sasaki Yasuhiro's 2025 Hokuryu Town Attractions Exploration Photos (275 photos) are here >>

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