平成30年6月のメッセージ（英語表記あり）

The trees are getting greener. The wind is picking up. Hydrangea flowers are blooming.

How are you?

At the community roundtable meetings held from May 14, the town administration was able to visit and hold meetings with 10 districts of Kamikawa Town. This year, we talked about the four most important policies of Kamikawa Town. The first one is the Kamikawa Town regional creation project; the second is the Kanzaki Municipal General Hospital north building rebuilding project; the third is the CATV optical fibre cable and ultra high-speed broadband improvement project, and the fourth is collating the feedback from these community meetings. This year marks the third year of our regional creation project.

Furthermore, we are aiming to build a recycling-type agricultural industry that will develop jobs around cultivating round shitake mushrooms and developing compost.

Also, the biggest problem in Kamikawa Town is countering the declining birth rate. The birth rate exceeded 70 births since 2015, but in 2017 it fell to 60 births. We will also work on improving youth settlement and migration policies, childbirth and child rearing strategies.
From July this year, students up to senior high school will receive free medical services. In addition, as part of the Children’s Dream Fulfillment Project, the yuzu body soap and cream were finished.

We are working to make Kamikawa Town a place that people want to stay and live. We look forward to welcoming more community members at the community roundtable meetings. Please share your ideas with us.

On May 20, the 13th Kamikawa Firefighting Brigade training championship was held. The prize was awarded to Fukumoto and Ochidani’s groups. Congratulations to everyone who won a prize. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all members of the brigade for their work, and to their families and regions that support them. We look forward to cheering Fukumoto and Ochidani’s groups in the Nakaharima Firefighting Training Championship on July 1.

Also on May 20, 50th wedding anniversary celebration was held at the Himeji Cultural Center. 17 couples from Kamikawa Town, 536 couples from Nakaharima participated. I am grateful to all the couples who represented our town and I wish them all good health from the bottom of my heart.

On May 27, the Junior Softball Volleyball tournament was held and everyone who attended enjoyed themselves. Also, the Niino Waterwheel Festival was held.

On May 28, a memorial service for soldier killed on active duty from Kamikawa Town was held at Himeji’s Gokoku Shrine. I gave my respects to the fallen soldiers and made a commitment to improve Kamikawa Town to become a more peaceful, thriving city. There are many issues in the world today, such as the Korean Peninsula, and the situation in the Middle East. But, we are committed to efforts towards a world without nuclear weapons and no war.

From June 4 to 8, 102 second graders from Kamikawa Junior High School will participate in the Try Yaru Week. We thank the 34 businesses in town that will host students for work experience. It is a great opportunity for children to experience being a member of the local community, working with local residents and businesses. Please look after all the students participating in Try Yaru Week.

Ayu fishing is beginning. There will be three firefly festivals held in Inumigawa, Nakamura and Kottonten. At the end of the month, the “Summer Story” Festival alongside the Ochi River, and the Shinden Furasato Firefly Summer Festival will be held. There are plenty of events than you can attend to get in touch with the nature of Kamikawa Town.
The Children’s Society Ball Game Tournaments will be held on June 16, with the History Walk being held on June 17.

Also, we are looking for photos of the JR Bantan Line for their photo contest. Please apply.

From June 15 to 27, the 85th Kamikawa Town Council meetings begin. Full-scale discussions with the new members of the town’s congress will start. The town, along with the newly-elected congress, will work on regional creation strategies and discuss the future of the town.

Please be aware of the rainfall for June’s rainy season. I pray for your health and safety.