Kunneppu is a town with a population of 5,100, located inland in the Okhotsk region of eastern Hokkaido, with agriculture as its key industry. In 2016, it marked 120 years since 13 households (45 people) from the "Hokkosha" group of Kochi Prefecture first began cultivating the land in Meiji 30 (1897).
[Creating a town that is kind to all its residents]
In November 2016, Kunneppu celebrated the milestone of its 120th anniversary. Reaffirming the "courage" and "ambition" of the pioneering settlers, the town is tackling many challenges, valuing community strength, and aiming to create a sustainable town for the future. With "creating a town where children's smiles shine" as a central pillar, it entrusts the future of Kunneppu to its children.
Together with its residents, the town is creating its future in all fields, including welfare, healthcare, education, industry, and living environment improvement. This includes the "Kunneppu Certified Child Center," an integrated facility for early childhood education and care; the opening of the Kunneppu IC - Kitami Nishi IC section of the Tokachi-Okhotsk Expressway (part of the Hokkaido Odan Expressway); the expansion of measures to reduce children's medical expenses; the promotion of agricultural infrastructure development; and a taxi service for the elderly.