After the broadcast, we asked the personalities from each station who appeared on the program about their impressions of the broadcast and their thoughts about radio in a pre-broadcast survey.

Kotaro Kamikado (NHK)

-What did you think of today's broadcast?

Radio is usually done in a closed studio, and you speak into one microphone. You speak while imagining what kind of person is on the other side of the microphone, but the actual image is unclear, as if it is hazy. In this public broadcast, I was able to see the hazy thing clearly in front of my eyes. From now on, when I speak on radio, I will be able to speak while imagining that person. I think I can now see people who I couldn't see before a little more clearly. I think I can continue to speak in that direction. I felt a lot of enthusiasm.

--What is the most memorable show you've had in your career as a personality?

This is "Hokkaido Marugoto Zatana Radio" (NHK Hokkaido). During the COVID-19 pandemic, when conversations were not possible, he planned a special program in which he would connect listeners to him by phone and simply chat. It was broadcast a total of four times between March 2020 and July 2021. There was a lot of feedback that simply chatting and listening to chatter helped them relax as they lived through their uncertain daily lives.

--Have you received any posts from listeners that left an impression on you?

When I was in charge of "Yukan Gojiraji" (NHK Nagoya) from 2013 to 2015, I would give a live report of what was happening outside the studio, and listeners started to gather. Some people came from as far away as Kanto and Kansai. After the broadcast every day, I held a listener meeting and had a direct conversation. You can't have this kind of communication with TV viewers. I think it's unique to the relationship between radio listeners and personalities.

--As Hokkaido Radio approaches its 100th anniversary, what would you like to tell your listeners about the future of radio in Hokkaido?

There is a lot of information that is "from Sapporo to the whole of Hokkaido," but I think it is important to do "from 178 cities and towns to the whole of Hokkaido." That is what "Something about Hokkaido" was planned with.

I think it's good to pursue what only radio can do, what only Hokkaido radio can do. It may sound a bit stiff, but I'm a 47-year-old man who keeps saying such naive things.

Ayaka Suzuki (FM Hokkaido)

-What did you think of today's broadcast?

Recently, more and more people have said that "radio is an old media." When I ask young people, they sometimes say, "So, what is radio?" Even within the company, we often discuss how to increase the number of listeners. But when I come to a place like this and see so many people enjoying it, I feel that it's not worth throwing away, and I think that the people in front of the studio today really gathered with love for radio. I want to cherish the people in front of me first. And I think that the people behind them who I haven't met yet love radio just as much, which gave me confidence. I think it was a great opportunity, and when each station gathered, I felt happy that "we can gather so many people!"

--What is the most memorable show you've had in your career as a personality?

The show I was in charge of after giving birth was "&.LOVE." At the time, I had just given birth to my first child and wasn't sure if I would be able to return to work, but the director who had been helping me said to me, "Let's make the show that Ayaka wants to do come true!" I was deeply moved by the listeners who kindly said "Welcome back," the help I received from the many staff members, and the bonds I formed with my family, and I vowed to myself to give back in many ways from now on. I believe that I am who I am today because of those experiences.

--Have you received any posts from listeners that left an impression on you?

I remember an email I received from a medical worker during the difficult time of the COVID-19 pandemic. This person would email me every week, despite the tough days of working at the hospital at the time. He would frankly talk about the current situation at the hospital and the difficulties of working during the COVID-19 pandemic. He usually sends me messages about his worries, but one time he sent me a very positive email. It was an email that said, "I've fallen in love!" In the email he wrote, "The world is a difficult place, but there are good things in it too," which made me very happy and made a lasting impression on me.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a really tough time. I'm so glad that people relied on radio during those times, and that they were able to find hope for themselves. I'm glad I was doing radio.

--What would you like to say to our listeners about the 100th anniversary of Hokkaido Radio and the future of radio in Hokkaido?

Thank you for always listening to the radio. With so many media out there, I feel like it's a miracle that you choose radio. There are only three more years until Hokkaido Radio celebrates its 100th anniversary! Until now, we haven't had many opportunities to have fun like this with people from other stations, so I want to do more! I'll do my best to make radio fun!!!

Yamata (FM NORTH WAVE)

-What did you think of today's broadcast?

I was really happy that so many people came. I think it's the same with radio and television, but I think it's difficult to convey 100 pieces of information 100 times. That's why I hope I can create an opportunity to spread information, even just a little. I hope people will remember the names of each station through this radio show. I think that by having events like today where people gather in person because of the radio, listeners can become friends with each other, and then go out for drinks. I would be happy if the radio could create an opportunity like that and spread the word.

--What is the most memorable show you've had in your career as a personality?

Although it was not a regular program but a special program, it was "Namie Amuro SPECIAL TALK in Sapporo Factory" on FM Northwave in 2017. Approximately 5,000 people attended the venue at the time. It was a very valuable time to be able to interview Namie Amuro, who had just announced her retirement on the 25th anniversary of her debut!

--Have you received any posts from listeners that left an impression on you?

This is a post that was recently sent to the show. A listener who is a local school bus driver asked us to play requests from 5th graders, as the time of the program's request corner is exactly when the upper grades of elementary school students are returning home. We aired the song "Que Sera Sera" by Mrs. GREEN APPLE that was sent to us at that time. After that, we received a report that the elementary school students enjoyed it, and we were happy that they were enjoying the radio.

--What would you like to say to our listeners about the 100th anniversary of Hokkaido Radio and the future of radio in Hokkaido?

Radio can be a companion in your daily life, such as when you wake up in the morning and get ready, when you're in the car traveling, or when you're preparing food at the store!

Let's imagine with voice, dance with music, and share time together! Come and enjoy the radio story that begins with your ears!

Ayumi Yamane (HBC)

-What did you think of today's broadcast?

Looking at the listeners who gathered today, I felt that the good things about radio were on full display. I think that this broadcast was mainly attended by fans of "Something from Hokkaido." I think that many of them didn't know me, but they still got the crowd excited with their clapping and cheers. Listening to the radio fosters kindness and encourages people. And it fosters a spirit of wanting to get everyone excited together, that's what I thought as I looked at the listeners in front of me. I really think that radio is a great medium, and I got the impression that I was able to speak in a really warm atmosphere.

--What is the most memorable show you've had in your career as a personality?

"Midnight Car Navigation". Car Navigation Radio is broadcast live from 12 noon to 4 pm. Midnight is broadcast live from midnight to 4 am. We stayed up late laughing with our listeners with "funny news, random road and weather information", courage challenges, midnight live shows, drinking parties, and no laughing contests.

I was also invited to appear on the NHK program "Akinobu Kamebuchi's Japan Radio Tour" at the NHK studio in Tokyo.

--Have you received any posts from listeners that left an impression on you?

"Please look after Yamane Ayumi." A fax arrived from a sales sponsor on the first day of the car navigation program (I was in the sales department before I joined the production department).

"If you lie on your back and hold both knees with both hands, a fart will come out naturally." From a car navigation radio listener. I burst out laughing!!! I was in tears.

"Please laugh like you always do," "We want to hear your laughter," are some of the emails we received from listeners after the Great East Japan Earthquake.

"Are you okay? I have to do my best too." I was shaken by the first report of the Iburi Eastern Earthquake in the middle of the night.

"I also want to go to Hiroshima someday," was the response email I received after talking on the program about a story I had heard from a Hiroshima atomic bomb survivor.

... Hmm, there's lots more!

--What would you like to say to our listeners about the 100th anniversary of Hokkaido Radio and the future of radio in Hokkaido? Radio will continue to be your friend! Not only the personalities, but the listeners are also your friends. You can always say "Hello!" and "Welcome back!" to them! That's why I can't quit radio!

Yoji Kimura (STV)

-What did you think of today's broadcast?

I was just happy to know that there are so many radio fans out there. I think that Kamikado-san and the other NHK staff are thinking, "This is already the second installment." I think they feel that this cannot end here, so I hope that they will ask us to do it again. Please don't think that we should change the members next time (laughs). I would like to ask that there be no one who can beat the members we had today! Thank you very much.

--What is the most memorable show you've had in your career as a personality?

The origin of my career as a TV personality was undoubtedly the live broadcast segment "Visiting Housing Complex Wives." In the less than five minute broadcast, I interviewed housewives living in housing complexes and helped them out while enjoying casual conversation. I did everything from helping with dog training to playing Othello with them and removing hairs from bean sprouts. I was chosen as the third best in the nation in a radio magazine's "Unsung Corner."

--Have you received any posts from listeners that left an impression on you?

It was 40 years ago. I was in charge of the late-night TV show "Attack Young" at the time, and I received a serious letter from a high school girl who said, "I've fallen in love with a girl in my class." It was a time when the word "diversity" was not even heard. But I remember stammering as I told her my thoughts on the matter. The following week, I received a reply saying, "I still don't really understand it myself... but I'm grateful that you were willing to seriously worry with me." At that time, that alone made me happy.

--What would you like to say to our listeners about the 100th anniversary of Hokkaido Radio and the future of radio in Hokkaido?

Now is the time for all of us who love radio to join forces. Unfortunately, we are facing a crisis in which radio may disappear. We cannot let the light of radio, which has been loved by so many people for 100 years, go out.

Even though Hokkaido radio stations are rivals, they move forward together in a tight scrum. The unity between stations is what's being tested. Radio joint events can't only be held in a nice hall in Sapporo. If radio lovers can gather, I'd like to go. Even a small town community center or a small village meeting hall can be filled with excitement anywhere...