"Seeing each other's faces" is the most precious thing. The warm bonds forged at the Yawara Neighborhood Association New Year's Party 2026

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

"Seeing each other's faces" is the most precious thing. The warm bonds forged at the Yawara Neighborhood Association New Year's Party

It's January in Hokuryu Town, and snow is falling steadily. Even though it's bitterly cold outside the window, the air here at the Wa Neighborhood Association Community Center is filled with the warmth of spring.

The Yawara Neighborhood Association held its general meeting and New Year's party in 2026. As times change and many communities simplify gatherings, the Yawara Neighborhood Association chose to once again come together this year and celebrate each other's safety and health.

The smell of snow and the determination to protect

Greetings from the team leader: Toshiya Kobayashi, team leader of team 1

"Happy New Year, everyone. Last year was a year that put a strain on daily life, with many bear sightings and rising rice prices. I hope that this year the price of rice will stabilize.

This year is the Year of the Horse, so I pray that everything goes smoothly.

"We have been preparing for today's New Year's gathering. Although we have limited time, we hope that you will take advantage of today's opportunity to deepen friendships within the neighborhood association. Thank you for your cooperation," said Kobayashi, group leader, in his opening remarks.

Message from Chairman Noriaki Nakajima

"Happy New Year. I hope you all welcome the new year in good health.

Since last year, the world has been experiencing division, conflict, and even war, but I hope that a small neighborhood association like ours will be able to avoid such things and spend the year together in harmony and health.

The neighborhood association is an important place for such communication, so I would like to spend time together with everyone in harmony.

This year, we have been blessed with good weather, and we can only pray for a good rice harvest. Rice prices are high, which is great from the producers' perspective, but when we think about the consumers, we feel that there needs to be a price that is acceptable to both parties.

In particular, the Wa neighborhood association is an area where producers are working very hard and producing good quality rice, and I believe they will continue to work hard to produce even better quality rice.

When I met with mayors of various neighborhood associations during the New Year holidays, I heard them say, "I'm envious that while other neighborhood associations have canceled their New Year's parties, the Wa Neighborhood Association is still holding them."

"Thanks to everyone's efforts, we are able to meet and greet each other at this New Year's party, and the main purpose of this is to look forward to seeing everyone again this year. I hope that you will continue to make efforts in your own way. Thank you for your continued support," said Chairman Nakajima in his opening remarks.

People from other regions sometimes say, "We're jealous that you're continuing the New Year's party," and once it's stopped, it's a local event that's difficult to revive.

Even so, Chairman Nakajima's words, "The main thing is to meet once a year and exchange greetings, saying 'Thank you for your continued support this year!'" embodied the spirit of Hokuryu Town, which values the "warm connections" between people above all else, rather than efficiency or rationality.

Population decline, an aging population, and changes in individual lifestyles are issues facing not only Hokuryu Town, but communities across Japan and the world. In many areas, local events are disappearing because they are "too much hassle" or "not enough people come."

However, the Wa Neighborhood Association is different. Former chairpersons conducted surveys and carefully listened to the opinions of residents, and they came up with creative ideas, such as "avoiding New Year's Day and holding the event at a time when it is easier for everyone to gather." This is not just a matter of adjusting the date. It is a reflection of the leaders' tireless efforts to figure out how to "enable everyone to see each other's faces" and "how to maintain these connections," and the residents' "spirit of harmony" that responded to their efforts.

Among the things Chairman Nakajima said in his opening remarks, his discussion of rice prices in particular revealed a deep perspective that is unique to this town.

"High rice prices are a very good thing from the producers' point of view. However, when you think about the consumers, I feel that there must be a price that both sides can agree on."

They are not just happy about their own profits (rising rice prices). They are considerate of the lives of those who eat their rice (consumers) and strive to find a "point of harmony" (compromise) that will make both parties happy. This is the spirit of "altruism" that is ingrained in the people of Hokuryu, and the very philosophy of "harmony."

Visiting the Shinto altar

Toshimasa Takahashi: Received the Hokkaido Social Contribution Award and received applause of praise and gratitude

There was another piece of good news at this year's New Year's party: Toshimasa Takahashi, the former deputy mayor and longtime town hall employee, was awarded the Hokkaido Community Contribution Award.

He dedicated his 37 years as a city employee and seven years as deputy mayor. His colleagues celebrated his achievements as if they were their own, applauding him. The atmosphere was filled with a "spirit of respect" where each person acknowledges and respects the efforts of others.

A look to the young generation, a baton to the future

Greetings from Mayor Yasuhiro Sasaki

"Happy New Year everyone, and I hope you all have a wonderful new year.

Last year, Neighborhood Association President Nobuhiro Yamada worked hard for the neighborhood association. This year, Nakajima will be inaugurated for the third time. When deciding on a neighborhood association president, each of the 10 neighborhood associations has various issues, making it difficult to reach a decision. The Wa district has been smoothly merging, continuing to hold New Year's Day parties, and continuing its activities while listening to everyone's opinions.

Yesterday, we held a party to celebrate the 20th birthday of a young person, a coming-of-age ceremony. Eight out of nine young people participated, three of whom were young people from the Wa neighborhood association. We celebrated their 20th birthdays. Each of them gave a speech, and it was clear to see how much they care about their town. Listening to these young people's words, I was reminded of the need to protect this town.

As of New Year's Day, the population is 1,551 people and 760 households, and it is clear that this population decline cannot be stopped. However, six years ago, under the tenure of former Deputy Mayor Toshimasa Takahashi, who was mentioned earlier, he initiated the development of the town as part of regional revitalization. Deputy Mayor Okuda has taken over this initiative and is working on plans to slow the population decline, even if only slightly.

I believe that by incorporating the opinions of each and every resident in the neighborhood association, we can create good town development plans and policies. I would appreciate your cooperation. I would like to hear a variety of opinions. I will do my best to help Hokuryu develop into an even better town.

"I would like to ask Chairman Nakajima to demonstrate his stubbornness in a good sense, and as the Wa neighborhood association has a pioneer monument, I would like him to take on the leadership role in developing the town. I look forward to working with you," said Mayor Sasaki in his greeting.

Mayor Sasaki Yasuhiro shared a heartwarming message. The mayor's eyes widened as he listened to the "feelings of cherishing the town" expressed by each young person at the "Gathering of 20-Year-Olds" Coming-of-Age Ceremony held the previous day. While facing the issue of population decline, he expressed his hope that the next generation will be raised well. "We're still immature, so we have to work hard," he said, drawing laughter, but every word he said was filled with a passionate desire to value the voices of each and every resident.

The mayor did not simply say, "Let's do our best." He spoke passionately about how, while facing the harsh reality of a declining population, there is still hope for the town, and that this hope can only be realized through the participation of each and every resident.

Masatoshi Yamagishi: From Showa to Reiwa. A toast to weaving history

"The Reiwa era has already begun its eighth year. I was 26 years old when I first joined the neighborhood association. I felt like a young warrior from the Showa era who had joined the neighborhood association.

The Showa and Heisei eras have already ended, and the Reiwa era has arrived. We are now in an era where elementary school students born in the Reiwa era are walking around town with their school bags on their backs.

The reason why the Wa neighborhood association district has taken on its current form is that farmers left farming, new residential areas were developed, and the current neighborhood association district was formed.

As the name "Yawara" (harmony) suggests, this neighborhood association is very peaceful, and I feel that it has been made up of good farmers and many business people.

This year, Mr. Nakajima came to Wa from snowy Ryusei, carrying the smell of snow with him as he takes on the role of neighborhood association president for the third time. I would like to propose a toast to Mr. Nakajima and his family for good health and a happy year.

"Let's toast to the Wa Neighborhood Association's New Year's party!!!" Yamagishi said in his toast.

Masatoshi Yamagishi led the toast. He looked back on the history of the association, from when he made his debut at the age of 26 to the present day, as it has progressed with the times.

The Yawara Neighborhood Association was once a farm that had been abandoned and was transformed into a residential area. Farmers and people from a variety of occupations mix together, and over the years, a harmonious and friendly neighborhood association has developed, as the name "Yawara" (harmony) suggests. Listening to these words, the participants reminisced about their own memories and raised their glasses.

A delicious smile is a symbol of peace

After the toast, the long-awaited celebration begins. A colorful feast is laid out on the table. Grilled cherry salmon, simmered dishes, black beans. Each dish sparks lively conversation among the people gathered.

Sharing drinks, patting each other on the shoulders, laughing. Not engaging in serious discussions, but simply sharing everyday experiences such as, "How have you been?" or "Shoveling snow is hard work, isn't it?" This casual scene may in fact be the smallest unit of the "peace" the world is seeking.

lottery

Nobuhiro Yamada, former neighborhood association president, closing remarks

"As the chairman and the mayor have said, I believe that a community should be protected by everyone gathering together and spending time together in a harmonious atmosphere.

I would like to express my gratitude to everyone in Group 1 for all the hard work they put in to attend today's New Year's party. I hope that you will all be healthy and free from illness this year.

"Well then, we won't have a toast. We'll go with a ippon-jime. Yo-o! Pon! Clap, clap, clap!!! Thank you very much!" said former Chairman Yamada.

In an age where convenience and efficiency take priority, the members of the Wa Neighborhood Association teach us the richness of taking the time to gather together. Their warm, harmonious spirit will surely be a beacon that gently illuminates the community once again this year.

We sincerely hope that this year will bring you good health and days filled with smiles.

With boundless love, gratitude, and prayers, we hold the Wa Neighborhood Association New Year's Party, where we meet with everyone in the neighborhood association, drink and socialize, and pray for everyone's health and happiness for the year ahead.

YouTube videos(Thumbnails are taken from Gemini3)

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🖋️ Content planning, article writing, photo selection, and video creation: Ikuko Terauchi Photography, editing, and website management: Noboru Terauchi

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