After the broadcast, we spoke with the personalities from each station who appeared on the show, asking for their thoughts on the broadcast and their feelings about radio from a pre-event questionnaire.

Koutarou Kando (NHK)

――How was today's broadcast?

On the radio, I'm usually speaking into a single microphone in a closed-off studio. I'm always imagining what kind of people are on the other side of that microphone, but their true image is hazy, never quite clear. With this public broadcast, what was always hazy came into sharp focus right before my eyes. From now on, when I speak on the radio, I can picture those people. I think even the people I couldn't see before have become a little clearer. I feel like I can continue to speak to them in the future. I felt an incredible amount of energy.

――In your career as a personality, what program has left the biggest impression on you?

"Hokkaido Marugoto Zatsudan Radio" (All-Hokkaido Chat Radio) on NHK Hokkaido. During the COVID-19 pandemic when face-to-face conversation was difficult, I personally planned a special program where we just connected with listeners by phone and chatted. It aired four times between March 2020 and July 2021. We received a huge response from people saying that just chatting, and just listening to others chat, helped them relax while living through such uncertain times.

――Are there any listener submissions that have left a strong impression?

When I was hosting "Yuukan Goji-Radi" (Evening 5 o'clock Radio) at NHK Nagoya from 2013 to 2015, I would do a live description of the scene outside the studio, and listeners started to gather. Some people came from as far away as the Kanto and Kansai regions. After every daily broadcast, we would hold a listener gathering and talk with them directly. You can't have that kind of communication with TV viewers. I think it's something unique to the relationship between radio listeners and personalities.

――Looking toward the 100th anniversary of Hokkaido radio, what would you like to tell listeners about the future of radio in Hokkaido?

There's an abundance of information flowing from "Sapporo to all of Hokkaido," but I think it's important to do things the other way around: "from 178 municipalities to all of Hokkaido." I planned "Hokkaido no Nanika" with that goal in mind.

I believe it's best to pursue what only radio can do, and what only Hokkaido radio can do. It might sound a bit formal, but I'm a 47-year-old guy who keeps saying these idealistic things.

Ayaka Suzuki (FM Hokkaido)

――How was today's broadcast?

Lately, it's become more common to hear people say, "Radio is an old medium, isn't it?" When you ask younger people, some even say, "So, what is radio?" Even within our company, a common topic of discussion is how we can increase our listenership. But coming to a place like this and seeing so many people enjoying themselves makes me feel that it's not a lost cause at all. I believe the people who were in front of the studio today gathered because they truly love radio. I want to cherish the people right in front of me first. And it gave me confidence that the people behind them, whom I haven't met yet, probably love radio just as much. I think it was a wonderful opportunity, and it made me happy to feel that when all the stations come together, we can say, "Look how many people we can gather!"

――In your career as a personality, what program has left the biggest impression on you?

A show called "&.LOVE," which I hosted after giving birth. At the time, I had just had my first child and wasn't sure if I could return to work. A director who had been very supportive of me reached out and said, "Let's make the show you want to make, Ayaka!" The fact that the listeners so kindly welcomed me back, the help I received from so many staff members, and the bond that grew with my family through their cooperation—all of it is deeply moving, and I vowed to give back in many ways. I believe I am who I am today because of that experience.

――Are there any listener submissions that have left a strong impression?

An email I received from a healthcare worker during the difficult times of the COVID-19 pandemic has stayed with me. This person was working at a hospital and facing immense challenges every day, but they sent me an email every week. They wrote candidly about the situation at the hospital and the hardships of their job during the pandemic. Usually, this person would write about their worries, but one time, they sent a very positive email. The content was, "I've fallen in love!" The email said, "Even in such a difficult world, good things can happen," and that made me so happy and left a lasting impression.

The pandemic was truly a difficult time, wasn't it? I was so happy that they relied on the radio during that time, and that they were able to find hope for themselves. It made me feel that I was glad to be working in radio.

――Looking toward the 100th anniversary of Hokkaido radio, what would you like to tell listeners about the future of radio in Hokkaido?

Thank you for always listening to the radio. With so many forms of media available, I feel it's something of a miracle that you choose radio. There are only three years left until Hokkaido's 100th year of radio! We haven't had many opportunities to have fun with people from other stations like this before, so I really want to do more! I'll do my best to create fun experiences through radio!!!!

Yamata (FM NORTH WAVE)

――How was today's broadcast?

I was so happy that so many people came. I think it's difficult for both radio and TV to convey 100% of the information they have. That's why I hope we can create opportunities, even small ones, for that information to get across. It's fine if people just remember the names of the different stations through this broadcast. I believe that through radio, we can have real-life events like today where people gather, listeners become friends with each other, and then they become friends, go out for drinks, and so on. I would be happy if radio could create those kinds of opportunities and help them grow.

――In your career as a personality, what program has left the biggest impression on you?

It wasn't a regular program but a special one: the FM NORTH WAVE "Namie Amuro SPECIAL TALK in Sapporo Factory" held in 2017. About 5,000 people came to the venue at the time. Being able to interview Namie Amuro, who was celebrating her 25th debut anniversary and had also announced her retirement, was an incredibly precious time!

――Are there any listener submissions that have left a strong impression?

A submission that was sent to my program recently. A listener who drives a local school bus told me that the request segment of my show airs right when the older elementary school students are heading home, and asked if I could play a request from a 5th grader. I played the song they requested, Mrs. GREEN APPLE's "Que Sera Sera." Later, they reported back that the elementary school kids were delighted, and I was happy that they were able to experience the joy of radio.

――Looking toward the 100th anniversary of Hokkaido radio, what would you like to tell listeners about the future of radio in Hokkaido?

When you're getting ready in the morning, in the car on your commute, during prep time at a shop—make radio your life's companion!

Let your imagination run wild with the voices, let your heart dance to the music, and let's share this time together! Please, enjoy the radio story that begins in your ears!

Ayumi Yamane (HBC)

――How was today's broadcast?

Looking at the listeners who gathered today, I felt that the best parts of radio were on full display. I think the audience was mainly fans of "Hokkaido no Nanika." Many of them probably didn't know who I was, but they clapped and cheered to liven things up. Listening to the radio nurtures a kind heart and a desire to support others. And it fosters a spirit of everyone coming together to make things exciting. I felt that as I watched the listeners in front of me. It was a really warm atmosphere to speak in, and it made me think that radio truly is a wonderful medium.

――In your career as a personality, what program has left the biggest impression on you?

"Midnight Carnavi." The regular Carnavi Radio is a live broadcast from 12 PM to 4 PM. Midnight was a live broadcast from 12 AM to 4 AM. We stayed up late laughing with listeners with segments like "Funny News & Vague Road & Weather Info," courage tests, midnight live performances, drinking parties, and "Don't Laugh" contests.

Also, the NHK program "Akihiko Kamebuchi's Japan National Radio Tour." They invited me to the NHK studio in Tokyo, and I got to be on the show.

――Are there any listener submissions that have left a strong impression?

"Please take care of Ayumi Yamane." A fax sent to the program from a sales sponsor on my first day on Carnavi (I used to be in the sales department before production).

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

"Please laugh like you always do." "I want to hear your laugh." Emails from listeners after the Great East Japan Earthquake.

"Are you okay? I have to keep going too." After hearing my trembling first report late at night during the Iburi Eastern Earthquake.

"It made me want to go to Hiroshima someday." An email with feedback after I shared a story on the program that I had heard from a survivor of the Hiroshima atomic bomb.

...Gosh, there are so many more!

――Looking toward the 100th anniversary of Hokkaido radio, what would you like to tell listeners about the future of radio in Hokkaido?
Radio will always be your friend! Not just the personalities, but the listeners are your friends too. We're all friends who can say "Hello!" and "Welcome back!" anytime! That's why I can't quit radio!

Yoji Kimura (STV)

――How was today's broadcast?

I was just so happy to see that there are this many radio fans out there. I'm sure Kando-san and the rest of the NHK staff are thinking, "We have to do a part two." I don't think they can let it end here, so I really hope they'll invite us again. And I hope they don't think about changing the members... (laughs). I'd like to ask them to remember that there's no lineup better than today's! Thank you very much.

――In your career as a personality, what program has left the biggest impression on you?

My origin as a personality is without a doubt the live remote segment called "Danchi-zuma Houmon" (Visiting Housewives in Apartment Complexes). In a broadcast time of less than five minutes, the concept was to surprise housewives living in apartment complexes, enjoy some small talk, and give them a helping hand. I did everything from helping with dog training and playing Othello to picking the roots off bean sprouts. We were chosen as the 3rd best "Unsung Corner" in the country by a radio information magazine.

――Are there any listener submissions that have left a strong impression?

This was 40 years ago. On the late-night show I hosted at the time, "Attack Young," I received a serious letter from a high school girl who said she had genuinely fallen in love with a female classmate. This was an era when you never even heard the word "diversity." Still, I remember talking about my thoughts on it, fumbling over my words. And the following week, I received a reply from her. "I'm still not sure about myself... but thank you for seriously worrying about it with me." At the time, that alone made me so happy.

――Looking toward the 100th anniversary of Hokkaido radio, what would you like to tell listeners about the future of radio in Hokkaido?

Now is the time for all of you "radio lovers" to come together. Unfortunately, we are facing a crisis where radio might disappear. We cannot let the flame of radio, which so many people have loved for 100 years, be extinguished.

Even though Hokkaido's radio stations are rivals, we will lock arms in a tight scrum and move forward. The unity between the stations is being tested. Joint radio events aren't something that can only be done in the grand halls of Sapporo. If radio fans will gather, we want to go to you. Whether it's a small town's community center or a small village's meeting hall, I'm sure any place can be filled with buzzing energy....