（Updated/Revised 2021/03/16）

This time, we're sharing the charm of Urahoro Town, a place building a future of rich nature and heartfelt connections.
Urahoro, a town thriving on fishing and agriculture, boasts an incredible food self-sufficiency rate of 2900%.
It is a town where primary industries like agriculture, forestry, and fisheries flourish, with about 20% of the population employed in these sectors.

However, the town's population is decreasing year by year, now about half of what it was 30 years ago....
Recognizing that the town cannot survive if things continue as they are, various activities are being carried out with the goal of "creating a town where children can have hope."

What kind of town is Urahoro?

Urahoro is a town of about 4,500 people located in the Tokachi region of Hokkaido.
Many producers live here, taking pride in tackling the challenges of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries in a harsh environment that confronts nature head-on.
The blessings of the sea include horsehair crab, octopus, autumn salmon, and salmon roe, while the blessings of the fields include the thriving production of wheat and adzuki beans.
With a food self-sufficiency rate of 2900%, it is a major production area that supports Japan's food supply from the ground up.

Additionally, along the coastline stretching to the south of the town, the "town flower," the Hamanasu (Japanese rose), blooms in profusion, providing a soothing sight for the residents.

On the other hand, the town has not been able to resist the wave of population decline. The population, which was about 9,000 people 30 years ago, has now been halved.
The only high school in the town has closed, and many farmers, foresters, and fishermen have no successors.

"At this rate, 'Urahoro' cannot continue to exist."

"To create a town where our children, our treasures who will carry the future, can embrace dreams and hope."
"To support our children in acquiring the strength to live resiliently in the harsh and unpredictable society that lies ahead."
These thoughts united the entire town as one.

Aiming for "Sustainable Community Development"

In 2007, to realize a town where children can continue to hold onto their hopes, a collaborative effort called "Urahoro Style" began. It involves schools, the government, NPOs, townspeople, and even company employees working in urban areas, all with the goal of sustaining the region.

It is said that "Urahoro Style" has achieved great results through these projects, and the number of young people who want to work in the region is steadily increasing.

On this foundation, the "Tokachi Urahoro Rakusha General Incorporated Association" was established to aim for "sustainable community development."
They are working to solve problems and create new businesses in collaboration with organizations that have led the community so far.

An Interview with Kanta Omi, who received the "Urahoro Style" education and now works at Tokachi Urahoro Rakusha!

Mr. Omi, what kind of work do you do?

Tokachi Urahoro Rakusha General Incorporated Association Kanta Omi

"Tokachi Urahoro Rakusha" is an organization that operates as a new form of regional collaboration, working with the government and businesses to address local problems and challenges that need solving.
People from companies in the Tokyo metropolitan area also get involved with Urahoro through Rakusha, so we also play a connecting role.

I've been involved in conducting community center courses online, which couldn't be held as usual due to the impact of COVID-19, and we also undertake part of the hometown tax donation program on consignment from the government. I'm in charge of the "e-mail magazine," where I share information about Urahoro's initiatives and donation gifts from the perspective of a town resident who has received the "Urahoro Style" education since elementary school.

What do you think is characteristic of Urahoro Town?

Kanta Omi

The only high school in town closed in 2010. By the time I was ready for high school, there was no high school in Urahoro, so I attended one outside the town. I had been born and raised in Urahoro until then, so this was my first opportunity to interact with people from other towns.
What I realized then was, "A lot of people from Urahoro love their town."
While people from other towns frequently said, "There's nothing in our town," I felt that few people from Urahoro said such things, perhaps because they know the good things about Urahoro.

What is a memorable experience from "Urahoro Style"?

Kanta Omi

As part of "Urahoro Style," in the third year of junior high school, we have an opportunity to think with our classmates about "what can be done to revitalize the town" and present it to the town.
Not only people from the town hall but also local residents come to listen to the presentations. The adults ask us sharp questions, not the kind you'd expect for third-year junior high students, with very serious, intense eyes.
It was during that presentation that I realized there were adults who would listen to our opinions so seriously. I think that was a big reason why I wanted to come back to Urahoro to work and become that kind of adult myself.

What are your recommended spots in Urahoro Town?

Kanta Omi

Kombukariishi Observatory!
That place is always beautiful. It's especially amazing to watch the sunset, and stargazing in the pitch-dark night is the best.

Kombukariishi Observatory (Photo courtesy of Kanta Omi)

Starlit sky viewed from Kombukariishi Observatory (Photo courtesy of Tokachi Urahoro Rakusha)

Urahoro Town Today

Currently, Urahoro Town is conducting a hometown tax donation-style crowdfunding campaign.
We want to create new industries that make children want to "work locally" by utilizing the town's rare products!

Urahoro Town will use the donations from crowdfunding to create industries that will make children want to "continue living and working in Urahoro."

What kind of return gifts are available for Urahoro's Hometown Tax Donation?

Here are four return gift items from Urahoro Town's hometown tax donation program! (Updated/Revised 2021/03/16)

Conclusion

What did you think of Urahoro Town's efforts to build its future?
Life in the town and interactions with adults become formative experiences for children, fostering a love for their community.
Listening to the story, I could feel that a wonderful cycle has been created, where the adults who have built Urahoro up to now and the children who will build the Urahoro of the future create a synergy, bringing positive effects to the town.