Congratulations on a double win! Kurosengoku Business Cooperative Association Chairman Yukio Takada receives the Hokkaido Industry Contribution Award and the Central Association 70th Anniversary Meritorious Service Award.
On Friday, October 31st, a celebration was held for Yukio Takada, Chairman of the Kurosengoku Business Cooperative Association, who received both the Hokkaido Industry Contribution Award and the Hokkaido Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises 70th Anniversary Commemorative Meritorious Service Award. Takada's achievements, which he dedicated his life to reviving and commercializing the legendary black soybean "Kurosengoku," were celebrated by his classmates at the "12th Hokuryu Junior High School Alumni Gathering." It was a moving story of one night in which the warm "spirit of harmony" of Hokuryu Town, where the entire town honors and supports those who contribute to the community, blossomed.
Congratulations on a double win! Kurosengoku Business Cooperative Association Chairman Yukio Takada receives the Hokkaido Industry Contribution Award and the Central Association 70th Anniversary Meritorious Service Award.
On Friday, October 31st at 5:00 pm, a grand celebration was held at Sunflower Park Hokuryu Onsen to celebrate the double award of Kurosengoku Business Cooperative Association Chairman Takada Yukio, who received the Hokkaido Industry Contribution Award (for meritorious service in commerce, industry and mining) and the Hokkaido Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises Award (for meritorious service in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the company's founding). The event was sponsored by the Hokuryu Junior High School 12th Alumni Gathering.
The event was attended by people with close ties to the organization, including the representative founder, Mr. Susumu Asano, Mr. Yoshiharu Yamashita, Mr. Masatoshi Yamagishi, and 14 of Chairman Yukio Takada's junior high school classmates. Everyone came together to praise the honor of those who have contributed to the development of this local treasure.
A heartwarming celebration
The celebration was conducted in a friendly atmosphere under the guidance of the host, Mr. Yoshiharu Yamashita.
Opening remarks: Yoshiharu Yamashita
Moderated by Yoshiharu Yamashita
Founder's speech: Susumu Asano
Representative founder Susumu Asano
Thank you all very much for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend today. I would like to express my sincere gratitude.
Initially, as our moderator, Mr. Yamashita, just mentioned, we were thinking of holding a class reunion.
However, on August 6th, Takada Yukio was awarded the Hokkaido Industry Contribution Award by the Governor, and also received a double award: the 70th Anniversary Meritorious Service Award from the Hokkaido Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises.
So, we, the organizers, thought about holding a celebration for Yukio-san, and with Takada Yukio's permission, we asked him to hold the event in the form of just his classmates.
We believe that this award is in recognition of Yukio's many years of running the association and his contributions to the local industry.
He inspected various areas in 2004, and in 2005 he made appeals to several places in Hokkaido, and two years later he established the Kurosengoku Business Cooperative, which continues to this day.
The company celebrated its 10th anniversary since its founding, and this spring it celebrated its 20th anniversary. It is also working on developing products with increased added value, exporting them not only to Japan but also overseas. I hope that you will continue to work hard at your studies.
I hope that you will continue to take good care of your health, and that together with your wife Noriko, you will remain in good health and serve as a role model for us in this era where people can live to be 80, or even 100, years old.
I'm sure Mr. Takada himself will provide more details in his opening remarks.
In closing, I would like to offer my best wishes for the continued prosperity of the Takada family and the Kurosengoku Business Cooperative, as well as for the health and happiness of all those in attendance. Thank you very much."
Bouquet presentation: Ms. Mie Iwakura, representative of attendees
Presenting a bouquet
Congratulatory speech: Mr. Noboru Terauchi, Hokuryu Town Community Supporter
Next, Mr. Noboru Terauchi, a village supporter from Hokuryu Town, gave a heartfelt congratulatory speech.
Congratulatory speech: Noboru Terauchi
"I am truly honored and grateful to have been invited to this celebratory event today and to have been given the opportunity to deliver a congratulatory speech. Thank you very much.
Congratulations to Mr. Yukio Takada and his wife, Noriko, on receiving both the Hokkaido Industry Contribution Award and the Central Association 70th Anniversary Meritorious Service Award.
Today, I am deeply moved to see Mr. Takada, now over 80 years old, celebrating this special day with the strong friendships he shared with his classmates from his youth. I am sure that seeing your beloved friend in such a special state brings you great joy.
When we praise Mr. Takada's achievements, we first think of his strong leadership, his desire for people's health, which is embodied in Kurosengoku soybeans. His belief in the power of those miraculous soybeans and his passion for spreading their health value to the world have made a great contribution to Hokkaido's industry.
And at the core of his leadership is the "bonds with colleagues" that Mr. Takada has always valued above all else. Even in the desperate hardships of 2009, Mr. Takada was able to rise to his feet precisely because he believed in his colleagues and they believed in him. Those "sincerity," "trust," and "compassion" are the foundation of Kurosengoku today.
However, ladies and gentlemen, there is one person who has made the greatest contribution to keeping that indomitable spirit and that flame of passion burning to this day: Mr. Takada's wife, Noriko Takada, who has supported him behind the scenes in all he has done.
While Takada-sama continued to run around risking his life outside, I am sure he was going through hardships and anxieties beyond our imagination. Without Kyoko-sama, who accepted all of that, simply believed in her husband, and devoted herself wholeheartedly, Takada-sama today, and the miracle of Kurosenkoku, would not have been possible.
This award is not only a recognition of Mr. Takada's achievements, but also the highest honor bestowed upon him in recognition of Noriko's devoted love and the "history of marriage" that the two of them have walked together.
In closing, I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Takada Yukio and Noriko, and to all those in attendance, wishing them continued good health and happiness.
Congratulations on your success today."
Acknowledgments: Yukio Takada
Following the grand celebration, Chairman Takada Yukio took the stage to express his gratitude.
Acknowledgments: Yukio Takada
"My heart is filled with gratitude and I am so grateful that I cannot find the words to express it. Thank you so much.
We have received two awards this year: the Hokkaido Industrial Contribution Award and the Japan Federation of Small Business Associations 70th Anniversary Commemorative Achievement Award.
Mr. Susumu Asano quickly organized the celebration party, and we would like to express our deepest gratitude for his assistance.
Today's ceremony program was prepared by Mr. Yamagishi. We would like to express our sincere gratitude for his careful attention to detail and thoughtful program.
I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to Mr. Yamashita for all his help. Thank you very much.
I would also like to thank Mr. Terauchi, who gave his congratulatory speech earlier, for his tremendous support over the past decade in various matters related to Kurosengoku.
Mr. Terauchi will be attending this alumni reunion thanks to an invitation from Mr. Yamagishi.
I believe that today's celebration was made possible thanks to all of you, and I would like to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who took the time to attend despite their busy schedules and the cold weather.
I would also like to talk a little bit about Kurosengoku.
I think it was September or October of 2004 when Hokkaido Prefectural Assembly member Nobuo Murai gave me some Kurosengoku soybean seeds and said, "Yukio, plant these beans. Start planting them like this from next year." I started planting them in 2005.
At the time, I was completely absorbed in the project and planted beans without any prior knowledge. At the time, Mayor Terashima of Otobe Town joined in and said, "This will revitalize Hokkaido." I was completely engrossed in the enthusiasm of the prefectural assembly members and the mayor, who said, "This will bring Hokkaido back to life, we will revive it," and I continued to work on it.
At the time, I accompanied Murai-san, who was a member of the Hokkaido Prefectural Assembly, to various places, including the Regional Development Bureau and the Hokkaido Prefectural Government Office. I used to walk alongside Murai-san, and now, 20 years later, I've become like this. I really think this is all thanks to everyone's support. Thank you so much.
I already have over 2,500 business cards in my office. It has been 20 years since I met and received guidance from so many people. I could never have achieved what I am today through my own efforts, and I truly owe it all to the help and support of everyone, for which I am truly grateful.
At first, I think there were about 15 or 18 producers. Now we have about 50. Our initial sales were just over a million yen, but now, after more than 20 years, we have grown to over 100 million yen, and even over 200 million yen.
I feel that we have finally realized Mayor Terashima's words that "Hokkaido will be revitalized through Kurosengoku." However, I believe there is still a little more that needs to be done.
The Hokkaido Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises Associations 70th Anniversary Commemorative Achievement Award, which was also received in addition to the Hokkaido Industry Contribution Award, marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Hokkaido Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises Associations in Japan, as well as the 70th anniversary of the Hokkaido branch.
Currently, the Kurosengoku Business Cooperative is the only one in Hokuryu Town that is a member of the Hokkaido Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises, but it seems that another business cooperative will be formed within the year. In other large towns, business entities such as gas, electricity, and water unions have formed unions, and currently the number of participating companies in the whole of Hokkaido is around 1,208.
So, 20 years have passed since I first noticed it, and I have been serving as secretary of the Central Association, so I believe that the award was given to me as a recognition of my service as an officer.
I received the Hokkaido Industrial Contribution Award directly from the Director of the Hokkaido Economic Affairs Department at Sapporo Garden Palace on August 6th. At that time, 17 people in Hokkaido had received the Industrial Contribution Award. I was the only one from Sorachi, but I believe that many people have received the Industrial Contribution Award in the past.
Now that we're over 80 years old, I believe that "enjoying" is ultimately about being healthy. I believe that enjoying exercise, living a happy life, and eating a happy diet is what makes us healthy. I also consider Kurosengoku soybeans to be a healthy food, and eat them every day. I hope that you will continue to live a happy life for the next 10 or 20 years, aiming to live to be 100 years old.
I hope that you all take good care of your health and live a happy, enjoyable life.
I am truly grateful from the bottom of my heart! Thank you very much.
Finally, this booklet was created by Mr. Terauchi, a village supporter in Hokuryu Town. I believe this booklet contains all of Kurosengoku's tears, sweat, wisdom, and the history and story of the Kurosengoku Business Cooperative Association. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Mr. Terauchi once again. Thank you very much."
Celebration: Surrounded by smiles and harmony
Toast: Classmate Yoshinobu Shibeya
The celebration began with a toast by classmate Yoshinobu Shibeya.
Classmate Yoshinobu Shibeya
"Well then, since you have kindly nominated me, I would like to say a few words of greeting.
First of all, congratulations to Takada Yukio on receiving the Hokkaido Industrial Contribution Award.
As chairman of the Kurosengoku Business Cooperative, he has traveled all over the country, working hard to develop products, and I believe that over the decades he has built up a foundation for this business.
In this situation, there are probably still unknown worlds ahead, but I hope that you will continue to forge new paths together with your colleagues at the Kurosengoku Business Cooperative.
I am not quite able to express my congratulations, but I would like to offer my congratulations, just as the volunteers have already offered their congratulations. I am not from Hokuryu Town, but from another town or village, so I am not very familiar with Kurosengoku soybeans, but I would like to propose a toast to express my celebratory feelings.
To celebrate Takada Yukio receiving the Hokkaido Industrial Contribution Award! Cheers! Congratulations!
cheers!
celebration
The classmates and other people involved who gathered rejoiced as if it were their own day, marking the culmination of Chairman Takada's many years of hard work, passion, and unwavering beliefs.
"I'm really glad I didn't give up back then," and "Takada's enthusiasm moved the town."
Warm words and smiles filled the venue, truly uniting the "spirit of harmony" and "heart of compassion" of Hokuryu Town. The entire community heartily praised and supported one person's great achievement. The entire venue was deeply moved by this beautiful moment.
cooking
Celebration meal
A moment filled with joy and smiles
A toast of joyLively conversationA friendly atmosphereA moment of smilesIn a nostalgic conversation...An endless conversation...
Three cheers: Classmate Kaori Sato
The banquet concluded with three cheers led by classmate Sato Kaori.
Greetings from Ms. Kaori Ito
"Congratulations to Yukio Takada on receiving the Hokkaido Industrial Contribution Award. I join everyone in offering my heartfelt congratulations.
I have heard stories about Kurosengoku from Mr. Takada for a long time. It is a truly rare variety, and I had heard that it may have been abandoned by everyone, but he boldly undertook the difficult task of cultivating it and restored it. Now, with truly improved cultivation techniques, it has become a magnificent variety.
He also developed new products and was busy with sales promotion and PR. I watched him on YouTube and was impressed by how he and his wife were always promoting their products together.
He then founded the Kurosengoku Business Cooperative Association, assumed the role of chairman, and took the lead in establishing his current position. I would like to express my respect for all of these activities. I hope that he will continue to make use of the experience, achievements, and accomplishments he has cultivated up to now in his future endeavors.
Kurosengoku is also becoming famous as a health food. When I go to roadside stations and take a walk, I see Kurosengoku lined up on the shelves. I'm really happy that it has become recognized as a specialty product of Hokuryu Town, alongside sunflowers.
I would like to express my sincere respect for the wonderful achievements you have made so far.
We hope that you will continue to be healthy and successful together with your children in the future, and that the Kurosengoku Business Cooperative will continue to grow and that you will focus on product development and sales.
Now, I would like to shout "Banzai" three times to wish good health and happiness to all of you participating today. Please join in the cheering.
Long live Mr. and Mrs. Takada! Long live!'
Three cheers!!!
All participants prayed for Chairman Takada's bright future and for the further development of Hokuryu Town.
The celebration then moved to a karaoke room for an after-party, and the night in Hokuryu Town continued with celebratory singing and smiles.
Commemorative photo
Commemorative photo
Over the course of 20 years, the miraculous Kurosengoku soybeans have endured hardships, supported each other, and sprouted seeds of inspiration and courage!
It is with boundless love, gratitude, and prayer that we celebrate the many great achievements that have been made so far and share the joy of celebrating them with our classmates at this moving celebration.
Photography, editing, and website management: Noboru Terauchi
