Koho Niseko Newsletter April Issue [No. 756] Text Version
Special Feature: 2025 Town Work Policy
A new year has started.
The town and the board of education decided on the budget for the new fiscal year at the regular assembly in March, and clarified the "town administration policy" and "education administration policy", which are the policies for community development this year.
This month, I would like to inform you about this policy.
For detailed budget information for fiscal year 2025, please see "More About This Year's Jobs 2025," which will be distributed in May.
Town administration enforcement policy
Three years have passed since Russia's military invasion of Ukraine, and tragic wars continue to occur around the world, shaking the very idea of "world peace." In the United States, President Trump, who is opposed to international cooperation, has taken office, and there is growing concern about the growing burden on the global environment. In this world where anxiety about the future is spreading, the fact that the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last year was a source of great joy for our country, which "hopes for permanent world peace without nuclear weapons."
However, when we look at the domestic situation, recovery from the Noto Peninsula earthquake and heavy rain disaster of last January is only half complete, and it is heartbreaking to see that many people across the country who were affected are still living in evacuation shelters.
In Japan, the population is declining at a rate of 1 million per year due to the rapid decline in the birthrate, peaking at 128 million in 2008, and is expected to fall to 63 million by 2100. The number of births in 2024 will be a record low of 720,000. Measures to curb population decline have become an urgent issue with no time to waste.
In addition, the concentration of population in Tokyo continues unabated in Japan, and the disparities between various regions and cities continue to grow. As a measure to stop the concentration of population in Tokyo, the "Act on Promotion of Multipolar and Decentralized National Land Formation" was enacted 37 years ago in 1988. After that, the relocation of the capital functions was discussed in the Diet in 1990, but today the concentration of population in the Tokyo area has not yet been stopped.
It is also unfortunate that in recent years decentralization, which was intended to be promoted as a way to enjoy the prosperity of the nation by demonstrating political dynamism and creating vibrant regions, has been forgotten, and instead, centralized functions are expanding in our country.
Going forward, we would like to convey to relevant national agencies and the government through the various organizations with which city and town mayors work together that "promoting decentralization," which will rebuild a society based on national sovereignty and advance local autonomy, is extremely important for our country.
In terms of people's lives, prices are soaring and household incomes are falling, making life extremely difficult for them, and the gap in living standards between households is widening. In a public opinion survey conducted by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, 59.6% of people responded that they were "struggling to make ends meet."
Despite these harsh domestic and international economic conditions, our town has been experiencing a continuous decline in population, with the population recorded in the Basic Resident Register reaching a low of 4,483 people 35 years ago in 1990. Since then, the population has remained stable and has increased slightly, recovering to the 5,100 range. The town tax budget for 2009 was 609 million yen, but this year's initial budget was 1,020 million yen, and we have been able to move towards a more sound financial position, including a reduction in the public debt ratio.
We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the townspeople, town council members, and business owners for all their efforts in achieving this, including the increase in population, the location of tourism-related facilities, the development of the agricultural infrastructure, and the expansion of the employment environment by attracting companies.
Although the town experienced some minor disasters due to heavy rains last year, there were no major disasters, and we were able to steadily advance various projects, including the national farmland reorganization and development project. In terms of the environment, the "Project to Accelerate Priority Measures by Promoting the Dissemination of Decarbonization Models in Heavy Snow and Cold Regions," which we applied for in May last year, was adopted by the Ministry of the Environment, providing a major impetus for the town's transition to a carbon-free society.
In compiling this year's budget, we will ensure consistency with the national local government financial plan, and will make maximum use of subsidies related to regional revitalization, in accordance with the current Ishihara Administration's policy of "Regional Revitalization 2.0," which places emphasis on regional budget allocation.
Furthermore, in our town, the very important depopulation law was newly started in 2021 as a bill proposed by a member of parliament as the "Act on Special Measures Concerning Support for Sustainable Development of Depopulated Areas". Fortunately, our town was able to become an applicable municipality to the new depopulation law thanks to the great efforts of the town council members and related parties, and the understanding of national officials including the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. However, it has become clear that our town will be excluded from the application of the law in the next revision of the law due to the characteristics of our town, where the population is growing. Depopulation bonds based on the area designation of the depopulation law are subject to 70% of the principal and interest repayment amount as a grant tax. In other words, depopulation bonds have the nature of a subsidy for annual repayment. If this depopulation area designation is not applied, it is expected that most construction projects and investment projects will become impossible. In addition, the framework for the "depopulation software project" that is essential for our town's town development and is used every year will also be eliminated. We need to be prepared for the fact that most new administrative and business projects will no longer be possible, and we believe that it is our great responsibility to future generations to develop or redevelop the infrastructure for life that we want to leave to the next generation until the end of the current Depopulation Act in fiscal year 2030. Please understand that this budget also takes into account the perspective of local government management, which is to secure favorable bond issuance limits for future projects that will be necessary in the future.
The basic principles for budget formulation are: 1) shifting from a "society that prioritizes economic rationality" to creating a "society with empathy capital" that values the dignity of people, 2) correcting the ever-widening disparities in living standards, and 3) "reducing the burden on the global environment" and "countermeasures against climate change." In addition to these three previous issues, this year we are formulating the budget with a focus on a trial of making school lunches free of charge for elementary and junior high schools, working to improve child-rearing and educational environments, promoting the development of water infrastructure that supports lives and livelihoods, and reducing the burden on households with children in the National Health Insurance accounting.
In the new fiscal year, we will continue to take measures to address the housing shortage and improve transportation convenience, and will strive to create a town where everyone can live in peace, from children to the elderly who have built today's society, as a town where the ideal of "mutual aid" that was passed down from Arishima Takeo lives on.
In addition, with regard to attracting companies as we have done so far, we will continue our efforts to attract companies on the premise that they are "high-quality companies" that sympathize with our town development and will participate together with us in our town development in line with our town's past ideals of "Niseko, a small global city," "Niseko, an environmentally creative city," and our current ideal of "Niseko, a city where we co-create our children's future."
Regarding "unowned land," which we have previously requested the national government to transfer ownership of such land to local governments that wish to do so, we would like to strengthen our requests to establish a legal system to transfer ownership of such land to local governments that wish to do so, extend the "visa application period" for digital nomad visas, drastically expand subsidies for water facilities such as earthquake-proofing renovations, and, starting this year, to amend the Weights and Measures Act.
1. Basic principles of budget execution
In fiscal year 2024, the COVID-19 pandemic subsided, economic activity was on the mend, and tourism numbers were on the rise. However, at the same time, business and economic activity has intensified, resulting in a serious labor shortage. In addition, due to factors such as changes in the international situation and the weak yen, the prices of materials and other items have continued to rise, significantly affecting the lives of townspeople. The labor shortage and rising material prices have had a major impact on the town's businesses, but we intend to take measures to combat rising prices, such as supporting the lives of townspeople, in cooperation with various national policies.
In order to "develop a sustainable social infrastructure" that supports the livelihood of our town, based on the philosophy of "practicing self-governance" as set forth by "Niseko Town Basic Ordinance for Town Development," and with the "diverse community development entities" that we have cultivated to date as a foundation, we will continue to work tirelessly toward the creation of a community where residents "think and act on their own" and "self-governance" is the key to our efforts. We will continue to make constant efforts toward the creation of a "resident-governed" community where residents "think and act on their own.
We will also strive to promote various policies that contribute to the town's sustainable development, and will steadily implement plans such as the 6th Comprehensive Plan, the Comprehensive Strategy for Local Government Revitalization, the SDGs Future City Plan, and the Eco-Model City Action Plan.
As a basic policy for budget compilation, for investment projects with large budget scale, the urgency of the investment project and the advantage of financial burden are taken into consideration.
1. Steady progress and completion of ongoing projects
2. Preparation for future sustainable development
3. Development of social infrastructure to support safety and security
4. Development of childcare and educational facilities
5. With a focus on improving livability, we take a long-term perspective, taking into account bond issuance plans and the financial situation, and prepare budgets by prioritizing projects, with the aim of implementing administrative projects in a focused and planned manner.
Projects with large budget scales include, in the general account, the Fire Department Building Redevelopment Project, the New Housing Complex Development Project, the Niseko High School Dormitory Development Project, the Niseko Future Infrastructure Development Project, and the National Emergency Farmland Reorganization and Development Project, and in the public enterprise account, the Waterworks Facility Expansion and Development Project (development of urban water purification plants, installation of urban water distribution pipes, etc.) and the Sewerage Management Center Equipment Renewal Project.
Other projects to be expanded include measures to combat harmful birds and animals, promotion of tourism digital transformation and sharing services, prenatal and postnatal checkups, postpartum care, promotion of commerce and industry, a new project to install solar power generation equipment in public facilities, maintenance of educational equipment, local transportation projects, and a trial of free school lunches for elementary and junior high schools.
In addition, in each of our major policies, we strive to execute budgets with an eye toward the town's future, ensuring financial soundness while actively allocating the budget to ensure revitalization and sustainability of the region.
2. Implementation of key measures
・1 Establishment of a sustainable local economy
We will strive to develop endogenous industries that take advantage of our town's rich natural environment, promote cooperation between agriculture, tourism, and commerce and industry, utilize the energy resources available in the region, and promote the circulation of the economy within the region. We will also work toward the independence of the local economy through various collaborations with companies, universities, research institutes, and other organizations that share our town development philosophy and share our views.
In terms of tourism promotion, based on the "Town Tourism Promotion Vision," we will work to collaborate with initiatives such as GSTC (Sustainable Tourism Community Development), which is said to be the tourism SDGs, and the United Nations World Tourism Organization's (UNWTO) Best Tourism Village initiative.
We will also work with the town's Chamber of Commerce to promote commerce and industry based on the Town's Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Promotion Ordinance.
(1) Promotion of agriculture and livestock industry
The unstable international situation has led to soaring prices of crude oil, feed, fertilizer, and other materials, as well as frequent domestic climate change and natural disasters, making the business environment for farmers even more difficult. In light of this situation, the government is promoting efforts to ensure food security through amendments to the Basic Act on Food, Agriculture, and Rural Areas, and is calling for a shift to agriculture centered on environmental policies.
Our town will continue its efforts in "circular clean agriculture" and will work with relevant organizations to establish agricultural production that is suitable for our town, encouraging farmers to work toward establishing agriculture based on soil improvement and to carry out planned farming operations that can diversify management risks.
In addition, taking advantage of our town's location as a resort area, we will focus on expanding diversified production and sales channels to ensure the sustainable development of agriculture in our town, as well as working to secure agricultural human resources.
Regarding the development of agricultural infrastructure, we aim to complete the National Emergency Farmland Reorganization and Development Project in fiscal year 2027, and will continue to promote the conservation of high-quality farmland and the use and accumulation of farmland. In addition, we will continue to support soil improvement measures such as subsidies for fully ripened compost and the encouragement of green manure crops, the sixth industrialization, and the introduction of new crops and cultivation techniques, while also expanding support for rice suitable for sake brewing from this year.
In addition, as damage caused by harmful birds and animals continues to increase, we will work to expand these measures.
(2) Promotion of tourism
In 2024, our town will see many tourists from both Japan and abroad, and the number of inbound visitors in particular has increased compared to 2023, not only in the winter but also in the green season, resulting in active tourism economic activity.
On the other hand, the term "Niseko prices," which gives the impression that prices in the Niseko area are very high, has spread through social media and the mass media, creating a negative image for the town, leading to a decline in the number of guests at some accommodations. For this reason, we will be working to communicate the actual state of prices in the town in order to dispel the impression that prices are rising throughout the Niseko area.
In addition, we were previously honored to receive the higher award, the Silver Award, from Green Destinations, when we were selected as one of the world's top 100 tourist destinations in 2023. However, as this year is the year for renewal, we will be submitting another application to confirm our value as a tourist destination of global standards.
By working with these various organizations, we will work to raise awareness both domestically and internationally as a "sustainable tourist destination" that is gaining worldwide attention, so that our town will continue to be a travel destination of choice in the future and become a resort that our townspeople can be proud of. In addition, we will continue to work to create an environment for a sustainable tourist destination based on the "Town Tourism Promotion Vision," utilizing the "accommodation tax" introduced last November.
The "Digital Nomad Visa" that we have been requesting of the national government has been in place since April last year, but we will continue to make recommendations to the national government on expanding the system and extending the period of stay.
In the Niseko Tourism Zone, we will work together with the towns of Kutchan and Rankoshi to tackle regional issues. We will also support local promotion events held by various organizations in the town, promote the hot springs designated as a "national hot spring resort" by the Ministry of the Environment, and work with private organizations to increase the appeal of the summer season with activities such as cycling, footpaths, and rafting.
In order for the Niseko area to remain a safe snow resort for ski and snowboard enthusiasts, we will cooperate with ski resort operators in the area, the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience, and other related organizations to implement the "Niseko Rules," avalanche accident prevention measures.
In particular, we will continue to support the Niseko Avalanche Research Center, the core organization in promoting the Niseko Rules, which have played a role in making the powder snow in the Niseko area known worldwide, together with Kutchan Town, the ski resorts, and related organizations.
Additionally, we will work together to promote the development of expressways that have been approved by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and will also consider the location of the redevelopment site of the Niseko View Plaza Roadside Station, which is closely linked to interchanges and other facilities, and will work to improve its functionality as an important disaster prevention base on national and prefectural highways.
(3) Promoting commerce and industry and labor policies
Last year, to help alleviate the labor shortage in our town, we signed a partnership agreement with Timee, a part-time job service company, and have been considering introducing a "specific regional development business cooperative system" as a measure to further alleviate the labor shortage. As a result, we have decided to support our cooperative by introducing this system from this fiscal year, which will contribute to the development of the local economic infrastructure and sustainable regional development.
In addition, since last year, the town has been providing subsidies of up to 2 million yen per business for efforts by businesses in the town to secure employees.
The Town will again implement the "Town Human Resources Securing Emergency Measures Model Project Subsidy" this year to support efforts to secure employees.
Niseko Town Chamber of Commerce, which is the core organization for promoting commerce and industry, has a record high of 231 members as of the end of January 2025. As the activities of our chamber of commerce members are a major factor in revitalizing our town, we will continue to support small businesses.
This year, we will continue to actively attract "quality companies" and strive to expand and strengthen the economic base of the town. We will also continue to expand and support the "Kira Card Association," which is very important for promoting businesses, and strive to expand the town-wide local currency. We will also consider measures to reduce the economic burden on townspeople by promoting e-travel tax payment and establishing a discount system for townspeople in resort areas.
In terms of consumer measures, we will promote the expansion of consultation activities and awareness-raising activities so that the functions of the "Yotei Area Consumer Affairs Counseling Service" set up in seven neighboring towns and villages, including our town, can be more effectively utilized.
・2 Creating a city where everyone can live healthy and with a smile
In order to create a society where all residents can help each other and live healthy and fulfilling lives, we will work to ensure that everyone can live in peace by comprehensively considering ways to resolve issues such as health, medical care, welfare, child-rearing, and education.
(1) Childcare support
In terms of the child-rearing environment, we will continue to provide free medical care to all children up to the age of 18.
In addition, we will provide supportive consultation and 50,000 yen each during pregnancy and childbirth, and expand postpartum care to create an environment where pregnant women and families can give birth and raise their children with peace of mind. In addition, we will continue to provide support for children's health checkups, maternal and child health programs, and medical care for premature babies.
(2) The welfare of elderly people, disabled people
We strive to improve welfare services based on the "nursing-care insurance Business Plan, Elderly Health and Welfare Plan, Basic Plan for Persons with Disabilities, and Disability Welfare Plan" so that elderly people and people with physical disabilities can live safely in the communities they are familiar with. We also support part of the operating costs of the "Elderly Group Home" run by Niseko Welfare Association and the "Home Nursing Care Support Office" which creates care plans (nursing care support plans), as well as the nursing care service maintenance business.
In addition, in order to stabilize the management of the social welfare corporation Niseko Welfare Association, we have been monitoring the management situation of the association as well as estimating the future number of people certified for nursing care, including neighboring towns and villages, collecting information on the management of nursing care facilities by each local government, analyzing the current situation, and so on until last year. In the new fiscal year, we will continue to consider what the best form of the town's future elderly support system would be, including the possibility of wide-area management.
The "Regional Comprehensive Support Center" will work closely with related organizations to provide support to elderly people with issues, and will also implement preventive programs to maintain health. In addition, the "Early Intensive Dementia Support Team," which is responsible for dealing with the increasing number of dementia patients every year, will provide comprehensive and intensive support to people with dementia and their families in the early stages under the guidance of dementia specialists, and will continue to provide support to help them live independently.
We will support part of the operating costs of the Niseko Living Center, a community activity support center that plays a central role in supporting people with disabilities who have difficulty engaging in daytime activities, to ensure that the community's support and community-based "community life support projects" run smoothly. In addition, we will support the smooth operation of the group home for people with disabilities that is being built in 2024.
Subsidies will be provided for the operating costs of the Town Life Support Center, which is run by the Town Social Welfare Council to promote local welfare, provide welfare services for the elderly, and provide consultation on the growing adult guardianship system.
(3) Health promotion
In terms of health promotion, we will focus on projects related to diet, exercise, mental health, dental health, and lifestyle-related diseases based on the "Health Promotion Plan."
In terms of vaccination programs, we will continue routine vaccinations for children, and will continue to provide assistance with the costs of vaccinations for adults, such as for influenza and COVID-19, and will also expand the scope of cost subsidies for shingles vaccinations.
Regarding the health check-up program, we will continue to give points to the Kira Card to those who undergo specific health check-ups and various cancer screenings this year, and strive to increase the attendance rate. We will also continue the echinococcosis eradication measures that we have been implementing with the cooperation of the townspeople.
(4) National health insurance business, medical system
Based on estimates of medical expenses for the entire prefecture, Hokkaido will provide the town with the total amount and tax rate of national health insurance tax required by the town. The town determines the insurance tax rate based on this estimate. The tax rates for fiscal year 2025 will be reduced by 0.37% for income tax, the flat-rate tax and equal-rate tax will be the same as in fiscal year 2024, and the assessment limit will be increased by 30,000 yen to align with the national system.
In addition, as a unique policy of the town, in order to reduce the financial burden on households with children, the flat-rate insurance premium for children under the age of 18 will be fully waived.
Due to a national system reform, the issuance of new paper health insurance cards has been suspended since December of last year. Our town updated its paper health insurance cards in July of last year, and they will be valid until July 31, 2025. After that, My Number health insurance cards will become the standard, but we will strive to maintain convenience for NHI subscribers by issuing eligibility confirmation certificates to those who do not have My Number Card.
(5) Securing regional medical care
In order to cover the deficit of the Niseko Yotei Wide Area Kutchan Hospital, which provides regional medical care, psychiatric care, emergency medical care, etc., we will support the operating expenses together with the towns and villages at the foot of Mt. Yotei, mainly in Kutchan Town, where the hospital is located, to cover the operating expenses. In addition, we will cooperate with the relevant towns and villages to cover the maintenance costs for the renovation of the hospital, which has completed its new building.
Niseko Clinic plays an important role as the town's local family doctor, and under the agreement, we will provide support for part of the maintenance and inspection costs for the CT scanner and X-ray scanner they installed in 2013.
・3 Creating an environmentally friendly Niseko
In order to cherish the town's beautiful natural environment and maintain a lifestyle in harmony with nature, we will work towards realizing Niseko as a town of water environments based on the Town Basic Environmental Plan and the Town Global Warming Countermeasures Action Plan.
Our town's main industries, agriculture and tourism, are based on a good environment, including the water environment, and we believe that these will increase our trust. As a local government that has made a zero-carbon declaration, signed the Global Covenant of Mayors Japan, and acquired the "Compliant Badge," we aim to "counter climate change measures" and "reduce the burden on the global environment," while also working to achieve both at the same time as "creating a recycling-oriented society for the local economy."
In addition, the first town environmental basic plan was formulated in March 2002 after two years of work, when the Japanese economy and the town's surrounding economy were in a very difficult period. However, based on the strong determination of the townspeople to "prevent the town from being overdeveloped, to not turn it into a grass-cutting ground for investment capital, and to leave the town's beautiful and excellent environment to future generations," the title of the goal was "Niseko, a town of water environment," and the subtitle was "We want to leave a good environment for our children." The reason for choosing the "water environment" was that water is what nurtures our lives, and is the root that nurtures forests, rivers, and ecosystems. It was decided as a summary of the discussions that the town should continue to be one where even the weak, such as newborns and the elderly, can live with good quality water.
Following Niseko Town Basic Ordinance for Town Development, based on the principles of this Basic Environmental Plan, the Town Environmental Basic Ordinance and the Landscape Ordinance, which is primarily based on resident participation and does not include numerical restrictions, were designed based on the principles of this Basic Environmental Plan. We would appreciate it if you could share and reaffirm this in this enforcement policy.
(1) Conservation of natural environment and environmental measures
Several developments are planned in areas including around the foot of Mt. Niseko Annupuri, and it is important that these developments harmonize with Niseko's beautiful nature and scenery. In order to protect and nurture the town's valuable assets, we will operate systems such as the Quasi-National Parks Act, quasi-city planning, Landscape Ordinance, building guidelines, and groundwater conservation ordinances, and strive to guide "orderly development."
As a waste disposal measure, the seven towns and villages around Mt. Yotei have joined forces to outsource the conversion of combustible waste into solid fuel to a private company in Kutchan Town. Last year, the number of tourists recovered, and the amount of waste has increased accordingly. The town will continue to carefully inform residents about the need to separate waste and will collect used small appliances for resource recovery. Regarding business waste disposal, the town will begin collecting and considering information on reviewing waste disposal fees and on disposal systems and methods.
Sewage is treated at the Yotei Sanitation Center of the Mt. Yotei Environmental Sanitation Association, but the current facility is over 50 years old and is in a state of severe damage, so we have been considering starting a new facility. However, the new total cost proposed last year is 2.5 times higher than the current amount, so we have decided to reconsider and consider the matter. For this reason, the town will also endeavor to gather information on cutting-edge environmentally friendly treatment methods.
(2) Transformation into self-sustaining resource saving society
The town has been designated an "Eco-Model City" and an "SDGs Future City," and has been working toward sustainable lifestyles and urban development into the future, aiming to reduce the environmental impact while revitalizing the region.
1. In 2018, Japan signed the Global Covenant of Mayors, 2. In 2020, Japan issued a Climate Emergency Declaration, 3. In 2021, Japan enacted the Ordinance on the Proper Promotion of Renewable Energy Businesses and the Ordinance to Promote Appropriate Use of Bicycles, and 4. In 2024, Japan enacted the Ordinance on Promoting Climate Change Measures.
In fiscal year 2025, we will proceed with the introduction of solar power generation equipment to effectively utilize renewable energy in town-owned facilities, aiming to achieve the goal of virtually zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. In addition, in order to explore the possibility of using renewable energy in urban areas, if we receive certification from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry this year, we would like to conduct feasibility studies and designs for geothermal and underground heat utilization in urban areas (subsidy 10/10).
(3) Cooperation with "Niseko Town Co., Ltd."
In 2018, Niseko was selected by the Cabinet Office as a SDGs Future City, and Niseko Lifestyle and Model District "Niseko Mirai" is currently underway as its core project. To date, two detached houses (13 units) and one rental house (10 units) have been completed as ultra-energy-saving, high-performance wooden apartment buildings, and construction work is scheduled for two detached houses (15 units) and one rental house (10 units) this year. We will support Niseko Machi Co., Ltd.'s efforts to reduce utility costs, reduce the burden of snow removal and management, and realize a healthy and comfortable living environment. We will also promote diverse collaboration based on the environment, promote decarbonization and regional revitalization, and work with Niseko Machi Co., Ltd. to promote sustainable town development.
(4) Promotion of forestry
Forests are important local resources that make up the natural environment and landscape that are the foundation of the town, and they bring richness to the lives of the townspeople. In order to maintain the beautiful landscape and pass it on to the future, it is necessary to develop it in a planned manner, add value to timber, circulate the economy, and work on forest creation with the whole community.
In order to steadily advance these efforts, we will support Niseko Yukimorikosha Co., Ltd. and strive to utilize forest resources, develop human resources, and promote wood education so that the townspeople can enjoy the town's rich natural environment. We will also coordinate with the Niseko Town Forest Management Plan and other policies to promote forestry development so that the forest's multifaceted functions can be sustained. In addition, we will promote private forest management by utilizing subsidy systems from the national government, Hokkaido, and the town's own, and strive for proper management, such as steady management of town-owned forests.
・4. Nurturing rich hearts and unique cultures
Cultivating culture
The theme of our town's 6th Comprehensive Plan, which began in fiscal year 2024, is "A city where children's futures are co-created," and it is based on the idea of raising children who will lead the next generation together. We will continue to work closely with the Board of Education to create an educational environment where children can grow up healthily, and strive to support the development of diverse cultural and sports activities through the independent actions of our townspeople.
(1) Improving education
Regarding education, we will support the projects undertaken by the Board of Education in line with the "6th Town Comprehensive Plan," "Town Education Outline," and "Town Education Promotion Basic Plan."
(2) Promotion of culture and sports
In order to enable everyone to easily participate in cultural activities and enjoy sports, we will support various social education, social physical education, and lifelong sports activities in line with the "Medium-term Social Education Plan."
(3) Promotion of community activities and international exchange
We will continue to hold discussions with the designated manager to ensure that the local community center, which serves as the core for promoting local autonomy, is utilized in a variety of ways.
In addition, the management of the town community center will continue to be entrusted to the Chamber of Commerce, and the Nishitomi District Town Community Center will strive to expand its multifaceted use as a disaster prevention center for the western district and a base for urban development activities.
We will continue discussions with the designated manager to utilize the central warehouse complex, with the former starch warehouse at its core, as a place where townspeople and visitors can interact and relax. We also plan to lease Warehouse No. 1, which is used less, to a business that sympathizes with the town development of this town and will contribute to the development of industry in this town.
The Coordinators for International Relations (CIRs) are engaged in a wide range of international exchange activities, such as promoting cultural exchange projects with townspeople and Niseko High School students, multilingualizing the town's PR media, and providing support for foreign residents. This year, with the support of the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR), we will continue to work on promoting understanding of multicultural coexistence and international exchange.
・5 Supporting safe and secure living
We will work to strengthen and improve disaster prevention measures and comprehensively develop living and social infrastructure so that all residents can live in peace.
(1) Disaster prevention / crisis management measures
Based on the "Town Regional Disaster Prevention Plan," "Town Resilience Regional Plan," and "Town Business Continuity Plan (BCP)," our town is working to improve its disaster prevention equipment and disaster mitigation capabilities while ensuring a crisis management system as a local government. We will continue to implement disaster prevention drills and work to create independent disaster prevention organizations in order to strengthen our preparations for natural disasters.
In nuclear disaster prevention measures, based on the "Regional Disaster Prevention Plan/Nuclear Disaster Prevention Plan," we will work closely with the national government, Hokkaido, relevant local governments, and others to continue providing information to townspeople, while also promoting information sharing with Hokkaido Electric Power Co., Inc. with an eye toward the operation of the Tomari Nuclear Power Plant.
In addition, the town hall, which also functions as a disaster prevention center, will serve as a base for disaster prevention measures and contribute to the peace of mind and safety of the townspeople's lives, while also taking care to make the building a friendly and accessible place that townspeople can use with ease.
Regarding firefighting operations, we will continue to work in cooperation with the Yotei Mountain Fire Department Association to strengthen our firefighting capabilities, and will also work towards the completion of the Niseko Fire Department building.
(2) Enhancement of information infrastructure
Radio Niseko, the community FM station that serves as the town's information hub, plays a major role in providing information in times of disaster. We will continue to provide information based on the needs of the townspeople and tourists, including administrative information, information on various town organizations, tourist events, and avalanche accident prevention information under the Niseko Rules.
(3) Improvement of living environments and promotion of settlement
Up until now, we have been working to improve the living environment by providing subsidies for construction costs for private rental housing, energy-efficient housing renovations, earthquake-resistance renovations, and extending the lifespan of public housing. This year, we will utilize the national subsidy system to build the second building of the new housing complex (mock).
(4) Maintenance of road transport network
Many town roads have been in operation for many years, and many of them are suffering from deterioration of the pavement and damage to protective fences. Based on the "Individual Road Maintenance Project Plan," we will strive to properly maintain and manage these roads, utilizing financial resources such as bond issuance.
As for the construction of new town roads, construction work will be carried out on the new town road Niseko Mirai Dori and construction work on the sidewalks along Junior High School Dori, and for bridges, we will continue to carry out the "bridge longevity inspection contract work" from last year and proceed with repairs to guard cables, etc. In addition, with regard to snow removal during the winter, we will work to ensure the safety of winter roads with the cooperation of the townspeople.
(5) Securing regional traffic
Regarding local transportation, based on the "Regional Public Transportation Plan" formulated in March last year, we will continue to operate the "sightseeing bus" as well as the "Niseko Model" and "Nikotto Bus" services to alleviate the taxi shortage as measures to ensure transportation and convenience for residents and tourists.
In preparation for the extension of the Hokkaido Shinkansen to Sapporo, the Hokkaido Shinkansen Parallel Conventional Line Countermeasures Council's Shiribeshi Block Meeting (March 2022) confirmed the policy of using a bus conversion method for the Oshamanbe-Otaru section after the parallel conventional line is abolished, and Hokkaido is currently in discussion with bus companies along the line. We will continue to pay close attention to these situations and continue discussions with the national government, Hokkaido, and relevant local governments.
In addition, regarding the extension of the expressway, we will work in cooperation with the Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau, and will continue to work with the Shiribeshi Comprehensive Development Promotion Association to request that the national government investigate and commercialize the project up to Kuromatsunai.
(6) Unoccupied house measures
Based on the "Vacant House Countermeasures Plan" formulated in 2017, we will strive to eliminate abandoned and poorly managed buildings, and will work with the Niseko Town Real Estate Association to properly manage villas and vacant houses.
(7) Public enterprises (water supply and sewerage)
In the water supply business, this year we will continue from last year and carry out construction work to build new water reservoirs and new water conveyance pipes in urban areas to expand water volume and water distribution facilities.
In the sewerage business, in order to properly renew and maintain facilities, we will proceed with renewal work on mechanical and electrical equipment of sewerage facilities using national subsidy projects based on the "Sewerage Business Stock Management Plan" and the "Optimal Development Concept for Agricultural Village Sewage Facilities."
・6 Building a foundation for future administration and finance
We will steadily promote the Town Comprehensive Plan, the Comprehensive Strategy for Revitalizing Local Government, the SDGs Future City Plan, and the Decarbonization Action Plan, while striving to make effective use of the administrative assets and resources possessed by the town and to ensure efficient and effective administrative and financial management.
(1) Urban development and administrative management based on comprehensive plans
This is the town's top-level plan.
"6th Niseko Town Comprehensive Plan"
Based on this plan (which will run for 12 years from 2024 to 2035), we will continue to develop the city with the aim of realizing "Niseko, a city where children's futures are co-created."
(2) Empathy for the town and expansion of the related population (hometown tax payment)
In order to expand the related population as outlined in the Comprehensive Strategy for Revitalizing Local Autonomy, we will further publicize the use of the "Hometown Resident Certificate" and strive to disseminate information and exchange information so that the thoughts of donors can be connected to the local community and used to create attractive towns.
In addition, regarding the "Hometown Tax for Travelers = e-Travel Tax" that began in November 2022, we will aim to increase the number of participating stores in the town, expand the use of the empathy local currency "NISEKO eumo," and consider introducing a discount system for town residents when using various facilities.
In order to promote urban development that creates a "regional circular society," it is necessary to utilize social media and other tools to expand the number of relevant residents and businesses that sympathize with the town's initiatives, and we will continue to work to expand and strengthen "Hometown Tax Donation" and "Corporate Hometown Tax Donation."
(3) Promotion of self-government creation
Regarding self-government revitalization, we will proceed with various projects based on the "Third Niseko Town Self-Government Revitalization Comprehensive Strategy (2025)". The population is changing within the expected range, but in the future, we will respond to changes in social conditions, and work to create a livable town based on the population trend, consistency with related plans including the "Town Comprehensive Plan," and "strengthening the local economic circulation."
We will continue to deploy "regional revitalization cooperation team members" and "village supporters" to play a key role in urban development, and strive to develop human resources who will take on the responsibility of community development.
In order to promote sustainable urban development, we will work in cooperation with Niseko Machi Co., Ltd., Niseko Yukimori Kosha Co., Ltd., Niseko Resort Tourism Association Co., Ltd., and Kirat Niseko Co., Ltd. to expand the corporate version of hometown tax donations and utilize systems such as the Regional Development Business Partnership Program to increase the number of related populations and cooperative companies.
(4) Planned management of public facilities
We will consider effective use of assets owned by the town, such as selling or leasing them, and promote their use in a way that contributes to the local economy while striving to maintain the soundness of the town's finances. In addition, we will carry out planned maintenance and repairs, consolidation and elimination of similar facilities, extending their lifespans, reviewing facility management, and considering abolition, and will also remove appropriate facilities based on the "Comprehensive Management Plan for Public Facilities, etc." and "Individual Construction Plans" to ensure proper management and operation and to ensure that they can be handed over to the future.
In facility construction, we will place emphasis on "life cycle costs," introduce a performance-based ordering system, assess "costs and losses," and make maximum use of various government support systems while appropriately renovating facilities in order to promote the development of sustainable social infrastructure.
(5) Promotion of wide-area administration
Regarding regional administration, we will work with the Shiribeshi Regional Association (16 towns and villages) to promote administrative tasks such as settling tax arrears, national health insurance, and nursing-care insurance, and will also continue to consider with other member municipalities the joint implementation of future administrative projects, etc., so that the Shiribeshi Regional Association's functions can be more fully utilized.
In addition, the Hokkaido Local Government Information System Council (Hokkaido Town and Village Association Information Center), which was launched at the initiative of the Hokkaido Town and Village Association, will work with member municipalities and others to advance discussions to ensure efficient and inexpensive use of information through joint development and utilization.
The "Yotei Sanroku Fire Department Association" and the "Yotei Sanitation Association" are facing increasing burdens such as common expenses, and discussions will be held to prevent these burdens from increasing or becoming permanent. In addition, the Yotei Sanitation Center will conduct further review in light of the sudden increase in renovation costs.
In summary, the execution of the budget is based on the basic philosophy of the "6th Niseko Town Comprehensive Plan" that started last year, "Children's Future Co-Creation City -Niseko Town 's beautiful scenery and nature for the children of the future".
Basic goal 1: "Protect the nature of Niseko"
Basic goal 2: "Learn from each other and connect to the future"
Basic goal 3: "Circulate the Niseko economy"
Basic goal 4: "Enhance safety and security in our lives"
We will continue to advance town administration with the aim of making Niseko Town a place where the five basic goals of Basic Goal 5, "Creating a Town of Mutual Aid," are realized.
This year, as in the past, I will base my actions on my basic stance of "fairness, speed, and compassion," and will strive to invest in the children who will lead the next generation, improve the environment to make it easier to raise children, and "create a vibrant Niseko where children's smiles shine" through three cycles that will ensure the town's autonomy into the future: "1. resource circulation, 2. energy circulation, and 3. local economic circulation."
Furthermore, since taking office, I have consistently aimed to create a town of mutual assistance that everyone living in Niseko can be proud to live in, based on the principles of the Constitution of Japan and Niseko Town Basic Ordinance for Town Development. I would also like to add that when it comes to budget compilation and execution, I have been responsible for town administration from the perspective of local government management.
Educational administration enforcement policy
The government is beginning to move towards revising the next curriculum guidelines, but there is a need to thoroughly implement the PDCA cycle of reliable implementation, evaluation, and improvement of the current curriculum guidelines. In addition, in order to realize a "society where no one is left behind," there is a need to promote and improve education so that people in any region can receive the most appropriate education. There is also a need to improve the quality of education during the transition period between preschool, nursery, and elementary school.
In this environment, it is necessary to educate each and every student to recognize their own strengths and potential, to respect all others as valuable beings, to overcome various social changes while working with diverse people, to carve out rich lives, and to become creators of a sustainable society. Furthermore, as globalization progresses, it is important to improve classes by utilizing ICT, to fundamentally strengthen the development of digital talent through the promotion of digital transformation in high schools, and to enhance interdisciplinary and inquiry-based education.
The current curriculum guidelines will be introduced in elementary schools in 2020, and will be implemented in junior high and high schools, and specific evaluation and improvement are required. In addition, it is important to emphasize an "educational curriculum open to society," share the meaning of learning "for what purpose do we learn" in order to develop life skills, improve lessons from the perspective of "proactive, interactive, and deep learning," and establish "curriculum management" to improve the quality of educational activities in an organized and planned manner.
In this town, the 6th Niseko Town Comprehensive Plan was formulated in March 2024, and the basic philosophy was set as "Niseko, a city of co-creation of the future of children -Niseko Town 's beautiful scenery and nature for the children of the future." Regarding education, the main policy was set in Basic Goal 2, "Learning together and connecting to the future."
Educational administration enforcement policy
In school education, we will actively promote "an open curriculum to society" and "the use of ICT," and strive to improve the educational environment so that teachers can improve their teaching skills and promote improvements in classes. In particular, we will work to create an environment that can improve the quality of education both inside and outside of school, so that integrated efforts can be realized by going back and forth between "individually optimized learning" and "collaborative learning."
・1 Promoting the realization of a sustainable society
(1) Promotion of SDGs and ESD
Education is the foundation for human life. We will promote education for sustainable development (ESD) that fosters the creators of a sustainable society by taking advantage of Niseko's unique environment, including initiatives such as the SDGs Future City and Eco-Model City, so that everyone from children to adults can receive a high-quality education and deepen their learning throughout their lives, leading to the realization of a sustainable society (SDGs).
・2 Nurturing a rich mind and a healthy body
(1) Promotion of child-rearing support
With the aim of creating a city where children's smiles shine, we will comprehensively promote child-rearing support measures based on the Third Child and Child-rearing Support Project Plan.
In addition to providing a place for interaction and learning for parents and children who are not yet enrolled in kindergarten, and providing consultation and assistance regarding child-rearing, the local child-rearing support center provides temporary childcare and holiday childcare in an effort to improve the child-rearing environment.
For school-age children, we will provide after-school childcare programs at the Niseko Children's Center and after-school childcare facilities to provide a safe and secure place for them to go after school and play and live according to their developmental stage, in order to promote the healthy development of children. We will also install additional air conditioning at the Children's Center to improve the childcare environment.
We will also expand our Family Support Center operations, which provide mutual assistance in child-rearing, and will work to establish childcare centers using vacant facilities and increase the number of supporters, as well as examining the feasibility of providing childcare for sick children.
Furthermore, we will promote town development that nurtures children throughout the community, utilizing local power, such as by running childcare services by NPOs during long holidays, promoting the creation of playgrounds and spaces for children, and supporting other initiatives by private organizations.
(2) Promotion of early childhood education and childcare
Infancy is an important time for cultivating the foundations for lifelong personality development. It is important to provide a place where children can live in safety, support their growth and development, and provide high-quality early childhood education. For this reason, Yoji Centre, which handles both early childhood education and childcare, strives to provide education and childcare that fosters basic lifestyle habits and develops rich minds and healthy bodies through play and life in nature. In addition, we deepen our involvement with the local community through various activities such as reading picture books in cooperation with families and English time led by assistant language teachers and international exchange officers, and we value the image we would like children to have by the end of their early childhood years. We strive to further enrich early childhood education and childcare by promoting smooth transition to elementary school learning, and cooperation and exchange with junior high schools, high schools, and universities.
In addition, in order to improve convenience for users and reduce the workload of childcare workers, we will install permanent Wi-Fi in Yoji Centre and promote digitalization, such as expanding childcare support systems, while also working to secure human resources to resolve labor shortages.
We will proceed with preparations regarding the implementation methods and system design of our town's version of the "Any Child Can Attend Kindergarten System," which is scheduled to be implemented in all municipalities from fiscal year 2026.
(3) Improvement of physical strength and athletic ability
In order to ensure that children live healthy lives, we work with families to promote the development of basic lifestyle habits, and by utilizing the results of nationwide physical fitness and athletic ability surveys, we strive to improve physical fitness at Yoji Centre and schools and to help establish exercise habits.
(4) Enhancing health education and dietary education
In order to ensure safe, secure and stable school lunches, we will implement thorough hygiene management, as well as properly maintain and manage cooking machinery and equipment, inspect and repair them, and plan for the renewal of cooking machinery and other equipment.
In addition, we will strive to provide students with exposure to a variety of foods by utilizing local, Hokkaido, and domestic ingredients, and we will promote nutritional education through school lunches to foster interest in desirable eating habits and food culture, as well as health through food.
Regarding food allergies, we will continue to work with parents, students, and schools to provide individual support as before.
In addition, with regard to school lunch fees, we have previously kept the unit price of school lunches constant and have exempted school lunch fees for the second child and beyond. However, from fiscal 2025, we will utilize the national "Temporary Regional Revitalization Grant for Priority Support in Responding to Price Rise" to make school lunch fees free for parents of children attending the town's elementary and junior high schools, thereby further reducing the burden on households with children.
(5) Promotion of human rights and moral education
Our town has many immigrants from both within Japan and overseas, and a diverse range of children from different cultures and social backgrounds attend kindergarten and school. In addition to establishing the mutual aid philosophy left by Takeo Arishima, we will work together with families and the community to promote the realization of a peaceful and democratic society, respect each other's human rights and diversity, and promote moral education that fosters compassion.
In addition, in addition to respecting the human rights of children based on the Convention on the Rights of the Child to the maximum extent and striving to nurture richness and humanity, Article 11 of the Basic Town Development Ordinance (the right of townspeople under the age of 20 to participate in town development) We push forward town development participation of based child.
・3 Cultivating solid academic ability
(1) Developing the qualities and abilities required in the new era
Through research activities at the Niseko Style Educational Research Group, the faculty and staff work together as a team to improve educational activities from the perspective of "proactive, interactive, and deep learning." In addition, through community school activities, we will realize an "educational curriculum open to society" by making more active use of local human resources and resources, and foster the qualities and abilities necessary to become creators of the future.
(2) Promotion of special support education
In order to provide support according to the educational needs of each child, we provide educational and school consultations from an early stage, including in early childhood. For children who require special consideration, we strive to improve special needs education by providing them with part-time instruction (language and learning classrooms) and learning in special needs classes, as well as by appointing special needs instructors in elementary and junior high schools to provide support in daily life and learning.
(3) Enhancing STEAM and career education
We aim to enrich STEAM education by implementing cross-disciplinary and inquiry-based learning, including subjects during comprehensive study time, and nurturing the ability to integrate knowledge from different fields and solve problems creatively.
We will also work to enhance career education in schools so that students can acquire the qualities and abilities necessary for social and professional independence.
・4. Promoting Hometown and Multicultural Coexistence
(1) Promotion of Niseko-style education
"Niseko Style Education" is an initiative to raise children who learn in Niseko and love Niseko, considering the continuity of the 9 years of education from elementary school to junior high school, as well as the continuity with Yoji Centre and Niseko High School, and regarding the four schools as one continuous school body. We will further promote the Niseko Style of Education by promoting the priorities of English education, hometown learning, and the use of ICT, and by developing educational activities with a sense of unity among each school.
(2) Promotion of domestic and international exchange and international understanding
Using NISEKO World Village at Niseko High School as its base, the organization will work to create a multicultural society in which not only high school students, but also elementary and junior high school students and town residents can participate, while collaborating and exchanging with the Niseko Town International Exchange Promotion Council, Hokkaido International School Niseko (HIS), and Kyoto International University Niseko (KIUA).
Additionally, we will be implementing a youth exchange program with Satsumasendai City, Kagoshima Prefecture, and Takashima City (formerly Makino Town), Shiga Prefecture, to provide an opportunity for children to come into contact with different cultures and broaden their horizons.
(3) Promotion of Niseko High School
Niseko High School is creating a new school that features entrepreneurial education and international education, with the ultimate goal of nurturing global talent with civic pride. In entrepreneurial education, we promote research activities using digital technology, and in the after-school entrepreneurial club (Stars UP) that started in 2024, we utilize learning outcomes and create opportunities to challenge ourselves. In international education, we support the expenses of overseas training for fourth-year students, and promote the activities of NISEKO WorldVillage, where students can come into contact with English and foreign cultures on a daily basis and acquire an international sensibility while having fun, and foster the internationality and English skills necessary to survive in a global society.
In addition, we will proceed with comprehensive high school reform efforts, including proceeding with the consideration of specific educational curricula that take advantage of the characteristics of the new full-time, advancement-oriented, credit-based comprehensive high school to be established in 2026, striving to secure teaching staff, and reviewing existing subsidy programs that have supported students and parents.
Construction work for the new student dormitory (new dormitory) will be carried out in 2025 based on the detailed design in 2024, and a system for accepting new students will be established in 2026. In addition, a temporary dormitory has been built behind Kibougaoka Dormitory to accommodate the expected increase in students wishing to live in the dormitory. As the number of students using the dormitory is increasing, we will proceed with providing meals to students in new ways, while also considering how to provide meals to the new dormitory.
In addition, the new high school will have an enrollment capacity of 70 students per grade, which will mean that it will no longer be possible to provide school lunches as in the past, so the school will be considering ways to provide lunches as an alternative to school lunches.
Regarding school buildings, based on the basic concept formulated in 2024, renovation design work and partial renovation of school buildings will be carried out in 2025.
The number of applicants for the 2024 and 2025 academic years exceeded the capacity, and we expect to secure the number of students. We believe this is the result of our student recruitment efforts, such as implementing some of the new high school curriculum from the 2026 academic year in advance, visiting neighboring towns and villages, holding school information sessions, and utilizing the Regional Future Study Abroad program. We will further strengthen our student recruitment efforts for the 2026 academic year in order to secure the capacity.
・5 Establishing an environment that enhances the quality of learning
(1) Promotion of ICT utilization
In order to further advance digital transformation in education, we will work to improve the educational environment by integrating hardware, software, and human resources. In addition to improving the learning environment, deploying ICT support staff, and improving the teaching skills of teachers and staff using ICT, we will also work to improve the quality of education by enhancing learning through the use of learning support software and its use in home learning.
In addition, we will introduce a parent communication app that can be linked to the school management support system already in operation, making communication between the school and parents more efficient and reducing the administrative burden on teachers and staff.
(2) Promotion of educational counseling and student guidance support
There is a need to respond to changes in the society surrounding children and students, such as addressing bullying, school absenteeism, and online troubles.
In addition to striving for early detection and prevention based on the basic policy for preventing bullying, we will also value the independent activities of children and students and strive to create an educational environment in which they can think up and follow rules on their own.
To help resolve these issues, we will assign school counselors to enhance consultation services with students and their parents.
(3) Enhancement of training opportunities for faculty and staff
In order to provide a continuous, high-quality education and maximize the potential of children, we support the activities of the Niseko Style Educational Research Group, which is made up of teachers from the town, to ensure that teachers are equipped with the necessary qualities and abilities, such as a strong sense of mission, rich social skills, and practical teaching abilities.
On the "Niseko Style Education Day" scheduled for November, teachers and staff from all schools in the town gather together to discuss and research ways to improve learning, and work on improving classes.
(4) Promotion of work style reform
We will promote work style reform in schools so that teachers and staff can focus on truly necessary educational activities while effectively utilizing limited human and material resources to achieve the educational goals of each school. We will also further advance digital transformation in the educational field and create a work environment where teachers and staff can fully utilize their abilities.
(5) Building a learning safety net
It is important to provide necessary support so that learning opportunities are not affected by the environment in which a child was born and raised, and to create an environment in which all children can attend school with peace of mind. Through the school attendance assistance system, we will continue to provide financial support for school supplies, school lunch fees, etc.
In addition, we will assign teachers, staff and support staff to children who do not understand Japanese, including children of returnees, to provide children with the opportunity to attend school, help them adapt to school life, and provide appropriate guidance.
(6) Improving the educational environment
We will improve the educational environment at each school to provide a safe and comfortable learning environment. At Niseko Elementary School, we will install air conditioners in the staff room and nurse's office, etc., which do not have them, to combat the heat in the school. At Niseko Junior High School, we will convert student toilets to Western-style toilets, and at Kondo Elementary School, we will convert lighting fixtures to LED.
In addition, at Niseko High School, in preparation for the transition to a full-time education, we will proceed with design work for renovating the school building, renovating classrooms, and equipping them with desks, chairs, and other equipment.
・6 Strengthening cooperation between the community and schools
(1) Promotion of community schools
Through the activities of each school's community school, schools, families, and the local community will share issues and goals and strive to realize an "educational curriculum that is open to society." Using the abundant educational resources of Niseko, such as its natural environment and diverse human resources, we will promote community development initiatives and local school collaborative activities in cooperation with families and the local community, and work to enhance "education that nurtures children who are unique, love Niseko, and are proud of Niseko."
(2) Promoting school crisis management systems
In preparation for disasters, incidents, and accidents, we will further strengthen disaster prevention education, crime prevention education, and road safety education. Regarding road safety, we will further strengthen cooperation with related organizations such as the police and road administrators, and will conduct safety inspections of school routes by the Town School Route Safety Promotion Council. In addition, we will develop and review crisis management manuals throughout the school's educational activities.
Regarding school bus operations, we will strive to prioritize safety, set up efficient routes, and review bus times to match school arrival and departure times to ensure that students have a means of transportation to and from school.
7. Enhancing lifelong learning and sports
(1) Enhancement of lifelong learning opportunities
We will work to provide diverse learning opportunities and promote recurrent education so that people can learn anytime, anywhere throughout their lives.
As a learning opportunity for children, we will be holding the "Niseko Future Lab", which aims to allow them to come into contact with the town's various educational resources, learn about the good things about their hometown through discoveries and impressions, and develop the minds and bodies that will enable them to live strong lives for the future.
Learning opportunities for the elderly include study sessions and social gatherings at Kotobuki University to improve their knowledge and culture, and to help them live healthy, bright and cultured lives.
(2) Promotion of lifelong sports activities
In order to make winter sports more accessible, we will provide opportunities to experience a variety of skiing styles, including skiing, snowboarding, and cross-country skiing. In addition, with the cooperation of each ski resort in the town, we will continue to subsidize the use of lifts for infants, children, students, and their guardians.
In terms of sporting opportunities, we will continue to hold various sporting competitions, including the "Community Citizens' Sports Day" with the aim of promoting health and building friendships, and will also support the Mayor's Cup Sports Tournament and Niseko Marathon Festival, both of which are organized by sports organizations to encourage competitive ability.
The town sports association plays a central role in promoting sports among the townspeople, and we will support the activities of its member organizations and work to promote community-based sports activities and to train and secure instructors.
In addition, in order to make club activities held at schools sustainable, the Town Holiday Club Activities Local Transition Review Council will consider measures for the gradual transition of club activities to the local community.
(3) Enhancement of lifelong learning and sports facilities
In order to make each facility under our jurisdiction safe, comfortable, and easy-to-use for all, we will strive to maintain and manage it appropriately based on long-term vision and development plans. At the General Gymnasium, we will proceed with design work for the arena floor, which is aging and in need of renovation.
8. Promotion of culture and the arts
(1) Promotion of artistic and cultural activities
Because culture and the arts contribute to the formation of a spiritually rich society, we will share roles and cooperate with related organizations to hold concerts for townspeople sponsored by the Cultural Association, youth art appreciation events for children and students, and exhibitions of children's work. We will also use facilities such as Niseko Town Center, the Learning and Exchange Center "Asobuku," and Arishima Takeo Memorial Museum to ensure opportunities to experience the arts, such as music appreciation.
(2) Promotion of reading activities
The Learning and Exchange Center "Asobuku" not only provides a fun and accessible reading environment for everyday use as a library, but also supports volunteer activities related to reading.
In addition, based on the Third Children's Reading Promotion Plan, in order to promote reading activities among children and students through schools, we will carry out support activities for schools with the cooperation of the NPO Asobooku-no-Kai, and will also work to improve the library environment, make effective use of the library, and enhance the book selection.
(3) Enhancement of Arishima Takeo Memorial Museum
Arishima Takeo Memorial Museum is committed to introducing and passing on the literary achievements of Arishima Takeo, one of the most representative writers of the Taisho period, including his work on farm liberation, as well as hosting special exhibitions on literature, local history, and art, as well as educational outreach programs, and striving to improve its four functions as an art museum, literature museum, local history museum, and culture hall.
As for museum activities, the Arishima Takeo Memorial Museum will hold the "Arishima Takeo Youth Open Art Exhibition" for junior and senior high school students, as well as exhibitions utilizing the collection of illustrator Fujikura Hideyuki that is held at Arishima Takeo Memorial Museum, at sister museums and facilities outside the town.
In terms of the museum's activities, the permanent exhibition room will be open to the public all year round, and the museum will also be hosting the "Arishima Memorial Hall: A Land of Stories and Play" in collaboration with "Kids Park," a winter space for children run by the Niseko Future Support Team NPO.
Regarding local history museum activities, we will collect historical materials from the town and digitize them. At the Niseko Railway Heritage Site, in cooperation with Niseko Town Railway Culture Association, we will hold events to display railway vehicles and promote public relations activities to raise awareness both within and outside the town.
Approximately 50 years have passed since Arishima Takeo Memorial Museum was constructed, and deterioration has become an issue. Based on the principle of maintaining Arishima Takeo Memorial Museum building and the surrounding environment, including Arishima Memorial Park, we will continue to consider ways to maintain these four functions into the future.
In 2025, we intend to continue to proactively address various issues surrounding education while further enhancing the management of the Board of Education.
The town and the board of education decided on the budget for the new fiscal year at the regular assembly in March, and clarified the "town administration policy" and "education administration policy", which are the policies for community development this year.
This month, I would like to inform you about this policy.
For detailed budget information for fiscal year 2025, please see "More About This Year's Jobs 2025," which will be distributed in May.
Town administration enforcement policy
Three years have passed since Russia's military invasion of Ukraine, and tragic wars continue to occur around the world, shaking the very idea of "world peace." In the United States, President Trump, who is opposed to international cooperation, has taken office, and there is growing concern about the growing burden on the global environment. In this world where anxiety about the future is spreading, the fact that the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last year was a source of great joy for our country, which "hopes for permanent world peace without nuclear weapons."
However, when we look at the domestic situation, recovery from the Noto Peninsula earthquake and heavy rain disaster of last January is only half complete, and it is heartbreaking to see that many people across the country who were affected are still living in evacuation shelters.
In Japan, the population is declining at a rate of 1 million per year due to the rapid decline in the birthrate, peaking at 128 million in 2008, and is expected to fall to 63 million by 2100. The number of births in 2024 will be a record low of 720,000. Measures to curb population decline have become an urgent issue with no time to waste.
In addition, the concentration of population in Tokyo continues unabated in Japan, and the disparities between various regions and cities continue to grow. As a measure to stop the concentration of population in Tokyo, the "Act on Promotion of Multipolar and Decentralized National Land Formation" was enacted 37 years ago in 1988. After that, the relocation of the capital functions was discussed in the Diet in 1990, but today the concentration of population in the Tokyo area has not yet been stopped.
It is also unfortunate that in recent years decentralization, which was intended to be promoted as a way to enjoy the prosperity of the nation by demonstrating political dynamism and creating vibrant regions, has been forgotten, and instead, centralized functions are expanding in our country.
Going forward, we would like to convey to relevant national agencies and the government through the various organizations with which city and town mayors work together that "promoting decentralization," which will rebuild a society based on national sovereignty and advance local autonomy, is extremely important for our country.
In terms of people's lives, prices are soaring and household incomes are falling, making life extremely difficult for them, and the gap in living standards between households is widening. In a public opinion survey conducted by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, 59.6% of people responded that they were "struggling to make ends meet."
Despite these harsh domestic and international economic conditions, our town has been experiencing a continuous decline in population, with the population recorded in the Basic Resident Register reaching a low of 4,483 people 35 years ago in 1990. Since then, the population has remained stable and has increased slightly, recovering to the 5,100 range. The town tax budget for 2009 was 609 million yen, but this year's initial budget was 1,020 million yen, and we have been able to move towards a more sound financial position, including a reduction in the public debt ratio.
We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the townspeople, town council members, and business owners for all their efforts in achieving this, including the increase in population, the location of tourism-related facilities, the development of the agricultural infrastructure, and the expansion of the employment environment by attracting companies.
Although the town experienced some minor disasters due to heavy rains last year, there were no major disasters, and we were able to steadily advance various projects, including the national farmland reorganization and development project. In terms of the environment, the "Project to Accelerate Priority Measures by Promoting the Dissemination of Decarbonization Models in Heavy Snow and Cold Regions," which we applied for in May last year, was adopted by the Ministry of the Environment, providing a major impetus for the town's transition to a carbon-free society.
In compiling this year's budget, we will ensure consistency with the national local government financial plan, and will make maximum use of subsidies related to regional revitalization, in accordance with the current Ishihara Administration's policy of "Regional Revitalization 2.0," which places emphasis on regional budget allocation.
Furthermore, in our town, the very important depopulation law was newly started in 2021 as a bill proposed by a member of parliament as the "Act on Special Measures Concerning Support for Sustainable Development of Depopulated Areas". Fortunately, our town was able to become an applicable municipality to the new depopulation law thanks to the great efforts of the town council members and related parties, and the understanding of national officials including the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. However, it has become clear that our town will be excluded from the application of the law in the next revision of the law due to the characteristics of our town, where the population is growing. Depopulation bonds based on the area designation of the depopulation law are subject to 70% of the principal and interest repayment amount as a grant tax. In other words, depopulation bonds have the nature of a subsidy for annual repayment. If this depopulation area designation is not applied, it is expected that most construction projects and investment projects will become impossible. In addition, the framework for the "depopulation software project" that is essential for our town's town development and is used every year will also be eliminated. We need to be prepared for the fact that most new administrative and business projects will no longer be possible, and we believe that it is our great responsibility to future generations to develop or redevelop the infrastructure for life that we want to leave to the next generation until the end of the current Depopulation Act in fiscal year 2030. Please understand that this budget also takes into account the perspective of local government management, which is to secure favorable bond issuance limits for future projects that will be necessary in the future.
The basic principles for budget formulation are: 1) shifting from a "society that prioritizes economic rationality" to creating a "society with empathy capital" that values the dignity of people, 2) correcting the ever-widening disparities in living standards, and 3) "reducing the burden on the global environment" and "countermeasures against climate change." In addition to these three previous issues, this year we are formulating the budget with a focus on a trial of making school lunches free of charge for elementary and junior high schools, working to improve child-rearing and educational environments, promoting the development of water infrastructure that supports lives and livelihoods, and reducing the burden on households with children in the National Health Insurance accounting.
In the new fiscal year, we will continue to take measures to address the housing shortage and improve transportation convenience, and will strive to create a town where everyone can live in peace, from children to the elderly who have built today's society, as a town where the ideal of "mutual aid" that was passed down from Arishima Takeo lives on.
In addition, with regard to attracting companies as we have done so far, we will continue our efforts to attract companies on the premise that they are "high-quality companies" that sympathize with our town development and will participate together with us in our town development in line with our town's past ideals of "Niseko, a small global city," "Niseko, an environmentally creative city," and our current ideal of "Niseko, a city where we co-create our children's future."
Regarding "unowned land," which we have previously requested the national government to transfer ownership of such land to local governments that wish to do so, we would like to strengthen our requests to establish a legal system to transfer ownership of such land to local governments that wish to do so, extend the "visa application period" for digital nomad visas, drastically expand subsidies for water facilities such as earthquake-proofing renovations, and, starting this year, to amend the Weights and Measures Act.
1. Basic principles of budget execution
In fiscal year 2024, the COVID-19 pandemic subsided, economic activity was on the mend, and tourism numbers were on the rise. However, at the same time, business and economic activity has intensified, resulting in a serious labor shortage. In addition, due to factors such as changes in the international situation and the weak yen, the prices of materials and other items have continued to rise, significantly affecting the lives of townspeople. The labor shortage and rising material prices have had a major impact on the town's businesses, but we intend to take measures to combat rising prices, such as supporting the lives of townspeople, in cooperation with various national policies.
In order to "develop a sustainable social infrastructure" that supports the livelihood of our town, based on the philosophy of "practicing self-governance" as set forth by "Niseko Town Basic Ordinance for Town Development," and with the "diverse community development entities" that we have cultivated to date as a foundation, we will continue to work tirelessly toward the creation of a community where residents "think and act on their own" and "self-governance" is the key to our efforts. We will continue to make constant efforts toward the creation of a "resident-governed" community where residents "think and act on their own.
We will also strive to promote various policies that contribute to the town's sustainable development, and will steadily implement plans such as the 6th Comprehensive Plan, the Comprehensive Strategy for Local Government Revitalization, the SDGs Future City Plan, and the Eco-Model City Action Plan.
As a basic policy for budget compilation, for investment projects with large budget scale, the urgency of the investment project and the advantage of financial burden are taken into consideration.
1. Steady progress and completion of ongoing projects
2. Preparation for future sustainable development
3. Development of social infrastructure to support safety and security
4. Development of childcare and educational facilities
5. With a focus on improving livability, we take a long-term perspective, taking into account bond issuance plans and the financial situation, and prepare budgets by prioritizing projects, with the aim of implementing administrative projects in a focused and planned manner.
Projects with large budget scales include, in the general account, the Fire Department Building Redevelopment Project, the New Housing Complex Development Project, the Niseko High School Dormitory Development Project, the Niseko Future Infrastructure Development Project, and the National Emergency Farmland Reorganization and Development Project, and in the public enterprise account, the Waterworks Facility Expansion and Development Project (development of urban water purification plants, installation of urban water distribution pipes, etc.) and the Sewerage Management Center Equipment Renewal Project.
Other projects to be expanded include measures to combat harmful birds and animals, promotion of tourism digital transformation and sharing services, prenatal and postnatal checkups, postpartum care, promotion of commerce and industry, a new project to install solar power generation equipment in public facilities, maintenance of educational equipment, local transportation projects, and a trial of free school lunches for elementary and junior high schools.
In addition, in each of our major policies, we strive to execute budgets with an eye toward the town's future, ensuring financial soundness while actively allocating the budget to ensure revitalization and sustainability of the region.
2. Implementation of key measures
・1 Establishment of a sustainable local economy
We will strive to develop endogenous industries that take advantage of our town's rich natural environment, promote cooperation between agriculture, tourism, and commerce and industry, utilize the energy resources available in the region, and promote the circulation of the economy within the region. We will also work toward the independence of the local economy through various collaborations with companies, universities, research institutes, and other organizations that share our town development philosophy and share our views.
In terms of tourism promotion, based on the "Town Tourism Promotion Vision," we will work to collaborate with initiatives such as GSTC (Sustainable Tourism Community Development), which is said to be the tourism SDGs, and the United Nations World Tourism Organization's (UNWTO) Best Tourism Village initiative.
We will also work with the town's Chamber of Commerce to promote commerce and industry based on the Town's Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Promotion Ordinance.
(1) Promotion of agriculture and livestock industry
The unstable international situation has led to soaring prices of crude oil, feed, fertilizer, and other materials, as well as frequent domestic climate change and natural disasters, making the business environment for farmers even more difficult. In light of this situation, the government is promoting efforts to ensure food security through amendments to the Basic Act on Food, Agriculture, and Rural Areas, and is calling for a shift to agriculture centered on environmental policies.
Our town will continue its efforts in "circular clean agriculture" and will work with relevant organizations to establish agricultural production that is suitable for our town, encouraging farmers to work toward establishing agriculture based on soil improvement and to carry out planned farming operations that can diversify management risks.
In addition, taking advantage of our town's location as a resort area, we will focus on expanding diversified production and sales channels to ensure the sustainable development of agriculture in our town, as well as working to secure agricultural human resources.
Regarding the development of agricultural infrastructure, we aim to complete the National Emergency Farmland Reorganization and Development Project in fiscal year 2027, and will continue to promote the conservation of high-quality farmland and the use and accumulation of farmland. In addition, we will continue to support soil improvement measures such as subsidies for fully ripened compost and the encouragement of green manure crops, the sixth industrialization, and the introduction of new crops and cultivation techniques, while also expanding support for rice suitable for sake brewing from this year.
In addition, as damage caused by harmful birds and animals continues to increase, we will work to expand these measures.
(2) Promotion of tourism
In 2024, our town will see many tourists from both Japan and abroad, and the number of inbound visitors in particular has increased compared to 2023, not only in the winter but also in the green season, resulting in active tourism economic activity.
On the other hand, the term "Niseko prices," which gives the impression that prices in the Niseko area are very high, has spread through social media and the mass media, creating a negative image for the town, leading to a decline in the number of guests at some accommodations. For this reason, we will be working to communicate the actual state of prices in the town in order to dispel the impression that prices are rising throughout the Niseko area.
In addition, we were previously honored to receive the higher award, the Silver Award, from Green Destinations, when we were selected as one of the world's top 100 tourist destinations in 2023. However, as this year is the year for renewal, we will be submitting another application to confirm our value as a tourist destination of global standards.
By working with these various organizations, we will work to raise awareness both domestically and internationally as a "sustainable tourist destination" that is gaining worldwide attention, so that our town will continue to be a travel destination of choice in the future and become a resort that our townspeople can be proud of. In addition, we will continue to work to create an environment for a sustainable tourist destination based on the "Town Tourism Promotion Vision," utilizing the "accommodation tax" introduced last November.
The "Digital Nomad Visa" that we have been requesting of the national government has been in place since April last year, but we will continue to make recommendations to the national government on expanding the system and extending the period of stay.
In the Niseko Tourism Zone, we will work together with the towns of Kutchan and Rankoshi to tackle regional issues. We will also support local promotion events held by various organizations in the town, promote the hot springs designated as a "national hot spring resort" by the Ministry of the Environment, and work with private organizations to increase the appeal of the summer season with activities such as cycling, footpaths, and rafting.
In order for the Niseko area to remain a safe snow resort for ski and snowboard enthusiasts, we will cooperate with ski resort operators in the area, the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience, and other related organizations to implement the "Niseko Rules," avalanche accident prevention measures.
In particular, we will continue to support the Niseko Avalanche Research Center, the core organization in promoting the Niseko Rules, which have played a role in making the powder snow in the Niseko area known worldwide, together with Kutchan Town, the ski resorts, and related organizations.
Additionally, we will work together to promote the development of expressways that have been approved by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and will also consider the location of the redevelopment site of the Niseko View Plaza Roadside Station, which is closely linked to interchanges and other facilities, and will work to improve its functionality as an important disaster prevention base on national and prefectural highways.
(3) Promoting commerce and industry and labor policies
Last year, to help alleviate the labor shortage in our town, we signed a partnership agreement with Timee, a part-time job service company, and have been considering introducing a "specific regional development business cooperative system" as a measure to further alleviate the labor shortage. As a result, we have decided to support our cooperative by introducing this system from this fiscal year, which will contribute to the development of the local economic infrastructure and sustainable regional development.
In addition, since last year, the town has been providing subsidies of up to 2 million yen per business for efforts by businesses in the town to secure employees.
The Town will again implement the "Town Human Resources Securing Emergency Measures Model Project Subsidy" this year to support efforts to secure employees.
Niseko Town Chamber of Commerce, which is the core organization for promoting commerce and industry, has a record high of 231 members as of the end of January 2025. As the activities of our chamber of commerce members are a major factor in revitalizing our town, we will continue to support small businesses.
This year, we will continue to actively attract "quality companies" and strive to expand and strengthen the economic base of the town. We will also continue to expand and support the "Kira Card Association," which is very important for promoting businesses, and strive to expand the town-wide local currency. We will also consider measures to reduce the economic burden on townspeople by promoting e-travel tax payment and establishing a discount system for townspeople in resort areas.
In terms of consumer measures, we will promote the expansion of consultation activities and awareness-raising activities so that the functions of the "Yotei Area Consumer Affairs Counseling Service" set up in seven neighboring towns and villages, including our town, can be more effectively utilized.
・2 Creating a city where everyone can live healthy and with a smile
In order to create a society where all residents can help each other and live healthy and fulfilling lives, we will work to ensure that everyone can live in peace by comprehensively considering ways to resolve issues such as health, medical care, welfare, child-rearing, and education.
(1) Childcare support
In terms of the child-rearing environment, we will continue to provide free medical care to all children up to the age of 18.
In addition, we will provide supportive consultation and 50,000 yen each during pregnancy and childbirth, and expand postpartum care to create an environment where pregnant women and families can give birth and raise their children with peace of mind. In addition, we will continue to provide support for children's health checkups, maternal and child health programs, and medical care for premature babies.
(2) The welfare of elderly people, disabled people
We strive to improve welfare services based on the "nursing-care insurance Business Plan, Elderly Health and Welfare Plan, Basic Plan for Persons with Disabilities, and Disability Welfare Plan" so that elderly people and people with physical disabilities can live safely in the communities they are familiar with. We also support part of the operating costs of the "Elderly Group Home" run by Niseko Welfare Association and the "Home Nursing Care Support Office" which creates care plans (nursing care support plans), as well as the nursing care service maintenance business.
In addition, in order to stabilize the management of the social welfare corporation Niseko Welfare Association, we have been monitoring the management situation of the association as well as estimating the future number of people certified for nursing care, including neighboring towns and villages, collecting information on the management of nursing care facilities by each local government, analyzing the current situation, and so on until last year. In the new fiscal year, we will continue to consider what the best form of the town's future elderly support system would be, including the possibility of wide-area management.
The "Regional Comprehensive Support Center" will work closely with related organizations to provide support to elderly people with issues, and will also implement preventive programs to maintain health. In addition, the "Early Intensive Dementia Support Team," which is responsible for dealing with the increasing number of dementia patients every year, will provide comprehensive and intensive support to people with dementia and their families in the early stages under the guidance of dementia specialists, and will continue to provide support to help them live independently.
We will support part of the operating costs of the Niseko Living Center, a community activity support center that plays a central role in supporting people with disabilities who have difficulty engaging in daytime activities, to ensure that the community's support and community-based "community life support projects" run smoothly. In addition, we will support the smooth operation of the group home for people with disabilities that is being built in 2024.
Subsidies will be provided for the operating costs of the Town Life Support Center, which is run by the Town Social Welfare Council to promote local welfare, provide welfare services for the elderly, and provide consultation on the growing adult guardianship system.
(3) Health promotion
In terms of health promotion, we will focus on projects related to diet, exercise, mental health, dental health, and lifestyle-related diseases based on the "Health Promotion Plan."
In terms of vaccination programs, we will continue routine vaccinations for children, and will continue to provide assistance with the costs of vaccinations for adults, such as for influenza and COVID-19, and will also expand the scope of cost subsidies for shingles vaccinations.
Regarding the health check-up program, we will continue to give points to the Kira Card to those who undergo specific health check-ups and various cancer screenings this year, and strive to increase the attendance rate. We will also continue the echinococcosis eradication measures that we have been implementing with the cooperation of the townspeople.
(4) National health insurance business, medical system
Based on estimates of medical expenses for the entire prefecture, Hokkaido will provide the town with the total amount and tax rate of national health insurance tax required by the town. The town determines the insurance tax rate based on this estimate. The tax rates for fiscal year 2025 will be reduced by 0.37% for income tax, the flat-rate tax and equal-rate tax will be the same as in fiscal year 2024, and the assessment limit will be increased by 30,000 yen to align with the national system.
In addition, as a unique policy of the town, in order to reduce the financial burden on households with children, the flat-rate insurance premium for children under the age of 18 will be fully waived.
Due to a national system reform, the issuance of new paper health insurance cards has been suspended since December of last year. Our town updated its paper health insurance cards in July of last year, and they will be valid until July 31, 2025. After that, My Number health insurance cards will become the standard, but we will strive to maintain convenience for NHI subscribers by issuing eligibility confirmation certificates to those who do not have My Number Card.
(5) Securing regional medical care
In order to cover the deficit of the Niseko Yotei Wide Area Kutchan Hospital, which provides regional medical care, psychiatric care, emergency medical care, etc., we will support the operating expenses together with the towns and villages at the foot of Mt. Yotei, mainly in Kutchan Town, where the hospital is located, to cover the operating expenses. In addition, we will cooperate with the relevant towns and villages to cover the maintenance costs for the renovation of the hospital, which has completed its new building.
Niseko Clinic plays an important role as the town's local family doctor, and under the agreement, we will provide support for part of the maintenance and inspection costs for the CT scanner and X-ray scanner they installed in 2013.
・3 Creating an environmentally friendly Niseko
In order to cherish the town's beautiful natural environment and maintain a lifestyle in harmony with nature, we will work towards realizing Niseko as a town of water environments based on the Town Basic Environmental Plan and the Town Global Warming Countermeasures Action Plan.
Our town's main industries, agriculture and tourism, are based on a good environment, including the water environment, and we believe that these will increase our trust. As a local government that has made a zero-carbon declaration, signed the Global Covenant of Mayors Japan, and acquired the "Compliant Badge," we aim to "counter climate change measures" and "reduce the burden on the global environment," while also working to achieve both at the same time as "creating a recycling-oriented society for the local economy."
In addition, the first town environmental basic plan was formulated in March 2002 after two years of work, when the Japanese economy and the town's surrounding economy were in a very difficult period. However, based on the strong determination of the townspeople to "prevent the town from being overdeveloped, to not turn it into a grass-cutting ground for investment capital, and to leave the town's beautiful and excellent environment to future generations," the title of the goal was "Niseko, a town of water environment," and the subtitle was "We want to leave a good environment for our children." The reason for choosing the "water environment" was that water is what nurtures our lives, and is the root that nurtures forests, rivers, and ecosystems. It was decided as a summary of the discussions that the town should continue to be one where even the weak, such as newborns and the elderly, can live with good quality water.
Following Niseko Town Basic Ordinance for Town Development, based on the principles of this Basic Environmental Plan, the Town Environmental Basic Ordinance and the Landscape Ordinance, which is primarily based on resident participation and does not include numerical restrictions, were designed based on the principles of this Basic Environmental Plan. We would appreciate it if you could share and reaffirm this in this enforcement policy.
(1) Conservation of natural environment and environmental measures
Several developments are planned in areas including around the foot of Mt. Niseko Annupuri, and it is important that these developments harmonize with Niseko's beautiful nature and scenery. In order to protect and nurture the town's valuable assets, we will operate systems such as the Quasi-National Parks Act, quasi-city planning, Landscape Ordinance, building guidelines, and groundwater conservation ordinances, and strive to guide "orderly development."
As a waste disposal measure, the seven towns and villages around Mt. Yotei have joined forces to outsource the conversion of combustible waste into solid fuel to a private company in Kutchan Town. Last year, the number of tourists recovered, and the amount of waste has increased accordingly. The town will continue to carefully inform residents about the need to separate waste and will collect used small appliances for resource recovery. Regarding business waste disposal, the town will begin collecting and considering information on reviewing waste disposal fees and on disposal systems and methods.
Sewage is treated at the Yotei Sanitation Center of the Mt. Yotei Environmental Sanitation Association, but the current facility is over 50 years old and is in a state of severe damage, so we have been considering starting a new facility. However, the new total cost proposed last year is 2.5 times higher than the current amount, so we have decided to reconsider and consider the matter. For this reason, the town will also endeavor to gather information on cutting-edge environmentally friendly treatment methods.
(2) Transformation into self-sustaining resource saving society
The town has been designated an "Eco-Model City" and an "SDGs Future City," and has been working toward sustainable lifestyles and urban development into the future, aiming to reduce the environmental impact while revitalizing the region.
1. In 2018, Japan signed the Global Covenant of Mayors, 2. In 2020, Japan issued a Climate Emergency Declaration, 3. In 2021, Japan enacted the Ordinance on the Proper Promotion of Renewable Energy Businesses and the Ordinance to Promote Appropriate Use of Bicycles, and 4. In 2024, Japan enacted the Ordinance on Promoting Climate Change Measures.
In fiscal year 2025, we will proceed with the introduction of solar power generation equipment to effectively utilize renewable energy in town-owned facilities, aiming to achieve the goal of virtually zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. In addition, in order to explore the possibility of using renewable energy in urban areas, if we receive certification from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry this year, we would like to conduct feasibility studies and designs for geothermal and underground heat utilization in urban areas (subsidy 10/10).
(3) Cooperation with "Niseko Town Co., Ltd."
In 2018, Niseko was selected by the Cabinet Office as a SDGs Future City, and Niseko Lifestyle and Model District "Niseko Mirai" is currently underway as its core project. To date, two detached houses (13 units) and one rental house (10 units) have been completed as ultra-energy-saving, high-performance wooden apartment buildings, and construction work is scheduled for two detached houses (15 units) and one rental house (10 units) this year. We will support Niseko Machi Co., Ltd.'s efforts to reduce utility costs, reduce the burden of snow removal and management, and realize a healthy and comfortable living environment. We will also promote diverse collaboration based on the environment, promote decarbonization and regional revitalization, and work with Niseko Machi Co., Ltd. to promote sustainable town development.
(4) Promotion of forestry
Forests are important local resources that make up the natural environment and landscape that are the foundation of the town, and they bring richness to the lives of the townspeople. In order to maintain the beautiful landscape and pass it on to the future, it is necessary to develop it in a planned manner, add value to timber, circulate the economy, and work on forest creation with the whole community.
In order to steadily advance these efforts, we will support Niseko Yukimorikosha Co., Ltd. and strive to utilize forest resources, develop human resources, and promote wood education so that the townspeople can enjoy the town's rich natural environment. We will also coordinate with the Niseko Town Forest Management Plan and other policies to promote forestry development so that the forest's multifaceted functions can be sustained. In addition, we will promote private forest management by utilizing subsidy systems from the national government, Hokkaido, and the town's own, and strive for proper management, such as steady management of town-owned forests.
・4. Nurturing rich hearts and unique cultures
Cultivating culture
The theme of our town's 6th Comprehensive Plan, which began in fiscal year 2024, is "A city where children's futures are co-created," and it is based on the idea of raising children who will lead the next generation together. We will continue to work closely with the Board of Education to create an educational environment where children can grow up healthily, and strive to support the development of diverse cultural and sports activities through the independent actions of our townspeople.
(1) Improving education
Regarding education, we will support the projects undertaken by the Board of Education in line with the "6th Town Comprehensive Plan," "Town Education Outline," and "Town Education Promotion Basic Plan."
(2) Promotion of culture and sports
In order to enable everyone to easily participate in cultural activities and enjoy sports, we will support various social education, social physical education, and lifelong sports activities in line with the "Medium-term Social Education Plan."
(3) Promotion of community activities and international exchange
We will continue to hold discussions with the designated manager to ensure that the local community center, which serves as the core for promoting local autonomy, is utilized in a variety of ways.
In addition, the management of the town community center will continue to be entrusted to the Chamber of Commerce, and the Nishitomi District Town Community Center will strive to expand its multifaceted use as a disaster prevention center for the western district and a base for urban development activities.
We will continue discussions with the designated manager to utilize the central warehouse complex, with the former starch warehouse at its core, as a place where townspeople and visitors can interact and relax. We also plan to lease Warehouse No. 1, which is used less, to a business that sympathizes with the town development of this town and will contribute to the development of industry in this town.
The Coordinators for International Relations (CIRs) are engaged in a wide range of international exchange activities, such as promoting cultural exchange projects with townspeople and Niseko High School students, multilingualizing the town's PR media, and providing support for foreign residents. This year, with the support of the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR), we will continue to work on promoting understanding of multicultural coexistence and international exchange.
・5 Supporting safe and secure living
We will work to strengthen and improve disaster prevention measures and comprehensively develop living and social infrastructure so that all residents can live in peace.
(1) Disaster prevention / crisis management measures
Based on the "Town Regional Disaster Prevention Plan," "Town Resilience Regional Plan," and "Town Business Continuity Plan (BCP)," our town is working to improve its disaster prevention equipment and disaster mitigation capabilities while ensuring a crisis management system as a local government. We will continue to implement disaster prevention drills and work to create independent disaster prevention organizations in order to strengthen our preparations for natural disasters.
In nuclear disaster prevention measures, based on the "Regional Disaster Prevention Plan/Nuclear Disaster Prevention Plan," we will work closely with the national government, Hokkaido, relevant local governments, and others to continue providing information to townspeople, while also promoting information sharing with Hokkaido Electric Power Co., Inc. with an eye toward the operation of the Tomari Nuclear Power Plant.
In addition, the town hall, which also functions as a disaster prevention center, will serve as a base for disaster prevention measures and contribute to the peace of mind and safety of the townspeople's lives, while also taking care to make the building a friendly and accessible place that townspeople can use with ease.
Regarding firefighting operations, we will continue to work in cooperation with the Yotei Mountain Fire Department Association to strengthen our firefighting capabilities, and will also work towards the completion of the Niseko Fire Department building.
(2) Enhancement of information infrastructure
Radio Niseko, the community FM station that serves as the town's information hub, plays a major role in providing information in times of disaster. We will continue to provide information based on the needs of the townspeople and tourists, including administrative information, information on various town organizations, tourist events, and avalanche accident prevention information under the Niseko Rules.
(3) Improvement of living environments and promotion of settlement
Up until now, we have been working to improve the living environment by providing subsidies for construction costs for private rental housing, energy-efficient housing renovations, earthquake-resistance renovations, and extending the lifespan of public housing. This year, we will utilize the national subsidy system to build the second building of the new housing complex (mock).
(4) Maintenance of road transport network
Many town roads have been in operation for many years, and many of them are suffering from deterioration of the pavement and damage to protective fences. Based on the "Individual Road Maintenance Project Plan," we will strive to properly maintain and manage these roads, utilizing financial resources such as bond issuance.
As for the construction of new town roads, construction work will be carried out on the new town road Niseko Mirai Dori and construction work on the sidewalks along Junior High School Dori, and for bridges, we will continue to carry out the "bridge longevity inspection contract work" from last year and proceed with repairs to guard cables, etc. In addition, with regard to snow removal during the winter, we will work to ensure the safety of winter roads with the cooperation of the townspeople.
(5) Securing regional traffic
Regarding local transportation, based on the "Regional Public Transportation Plan" formulated in March last year, we will continue to operate the "sightseeing bus" as well as the "Niseko Model" and "Nikotto Bus" services to alleviate the taxi shortage as measures to ensure transportation and convenience for residents and tourists.
In preparation for the extension of the Hokkaido Shinkansen to Sapporo, the Hokkaido Shinkansen Parallel Conventional Line Countermeasures Council's Shiribeshi Block Meeting (March 2022) confirmed the policy of using a bus conversion method for the Oshamanbe-Otaru section after the parallel conventional line is abolished, and Hokkaido is currently in discussion with bus companies along the line. We will continue to pay close attention to these situations and continue discussions with the national government, Hokkaido, and relevant local governments.
In addition, regarding the extension of the expressway, we will work in cooperation with the Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau, and will continue to work with the Shiribeshi Comprehensive Development Promotion Association to request that the national government investigate and commercialize the project up to Kuromatsunai.
(6) Unoccupied house measures
Based on the "Vacant House Countermeasures Plan" formulated in 2017, we will strive to eliminate abandoned and poorly managed buildings, and will work with the Niseko Town Real Estate Association to properly manage villas and vacant houses.
(7) Public enterprises (water supply and sewerage)
In the water supply business, this year we will continue from last year and carry out construction work to build new water reservoirs and new water conveyance pipes in urban areas to expand water volume and water distribution facilities.
In the sewerage business, in order to properly renew and maintain facilities, we will proceed with renewal work on mechanical and electrical equipment of sewerage facilities using national subsidy projects based on the "Sewerage Business Stock Management Plan" and the "Optimal Development Concept for Agricultural Village Sewage Facilities."
・6 Building a foundation for future administration and finance
We will steadily promote the Town Comprehensive Plan, the Comprehensive Strategy for Revitalizing Local Government, the SDGs Future City Plan, and the Decarbonization Action Plan, while striving to make effective use of the administrative assets and resources possessed by the town and to ensure efficient and effective administrative and financial management.
(1) Urban development and administrative management based on comprehensive plans
This is the town's top-level plan.
"6th Niseko Town Comprehensive Plan"
Based on this plan (which will run for 12 years from 2024 to 2035), we will continue to develop the city with the aim of realizing "Niseko, a city where children's futures are co-created."
(2) Empathy for the town and expansion of the related population (hometown tax payment)
In order to expand the related population as outlined in the Comprehensive Strategy for Revitalizing Local Autonomy, we will further publicize the use of the "Hometown Resident Certificate" and strive to disseminate information and exchange information so that the thoughts of donors can be connected to the local community and used to create attractive towns.
In addition, regarding the "Hometown Tax for Travelers = e-Travel Tax" that began in November 2022, we will aim to increase the number of participating stores in the town, expand the use of the empathy local currency "NISEKO eumo," and consider introducing a discount system for town residents when using various facilities.
In order to promote urban development that creates a "regional circular society," it is necessary to utilize social media and other tools to expand the number of relevant residents and businesses that sympathize with the town's initiatives, and we will continue to work to expand and strengthen "Hometown Tax Donation" and "Corporate Hometown Tax Donation."
(3) Promotion of self-government creation
Regarding self-government revitalization, we will proceed with various projects based on the "Third Niseko Town Self-Government Revitalization Comprehensive Strategy (2025)". The population is changing within the expected range, but in the future, we will respond to changes in social conditions, and work to create a livable town based on the population trend, consistency with related plans including the "Town Comprehensive Plan," and "strengthening the local economic circulation."
We will continue to deploy "regional revitalization cooperation team members" and "village supporters" to play a key role in urban development, and strive to develop human resources who will take on the responsibility of community development.
In order to promote sustainable urban development, we will work in cooperation with Niseko Machi Co., Ltd., Niseko Yukimori Kosha Co., Ltd., Niseko Resort Tourism Association Co., Ltd., and Kirat Niseko Co., Ltd. to expand the corporate version of hometown tax donations and utilize systems such as the Regional Development Business Partnership Program to increase the number of related populations and cooperative companies.
(4) Planned management of public facilities
We will consider effective use of assets owned by the town, such as selling or leasing them, and promote their use in a way that contributes to the local economy while striving to maintain the soundness of the town's finances. In addition, we will carry out planned maintenance and repairs, consolidation and elimination of similar facilities, extending their lifespans, reviewing facility management, and considering abolition, and will also remove appropriate facilities based on the "Comprehensive Management Plan for Public Facilities, etc." and "Individual Construction Plans" to ensure proper management and operation and to ensure that they can be handed over to the future.
In facility construction, we will place emphasis on "life cycle costs," introduce a performance-based ordering system, assess "costs and losses," and make maximum use of various government support systems while appropriately renovating facilities in order to promote the development of sustainable social infrastructure.
(5) Promotion of wide-area administration
Regarding regional administration, we will work with the Shiribeshi Regional Association (16 towns and villages) to promote administrative tasks such as settling tax arrears, national health insurance, and nursing-care insurance, and will also continue to consider with other member municipalities the joint implementation of future administrative projects, etc., so that the Shiribeshi Regional Association's functions can be more fully utilized.
In addition, the Hokkaido Local Government Information System Council (Hokkaido Town and Village Association Information Center), which was launched at the initiative of the Hokkaido Town and Village Association, will work with member municipalities and others to advance discussions to ensure efficient and inexpensive use of information through joint development and utilization.
The "Yotei Sanroku Fire Department Association" and the "Yotei Sanitation Association" are facing increasing burdens such as common expenses, and discussions will be held to prevent these burdens from increasing or becoming permanent. In addition, the Yotei Sanitation Center will conduct further review in light of the sudden increase in renovation costs.
In summary, the execution of the budget is based on the basic philosophy of the "6th Niseko Town Comprehensive Plan" that started last year, "Children's Future Co-Creation City -Niseko Town 's beautiful scenery and nature for the children of the future".
Basic goal 1: "Protect the nature of Niseko"
Basic goal 2: "Learn from each other and connect to the future"
Basic goal 3: "Circulate the Niseko economy"
Basic goal 4: "Enhance safety and security in our lives"
We will continue to advance town administration with the aim of making Niseko Town a place where the five basic goals of Basic Goal 5, "Creating a Town of Mutual Aid," are realized.
This year, as in the past, I will base my actions on my basic stance of "fairness, speed, and compassion," and will strive to invest in the children who will lead the next generation, improve the environment to make it easier to raise children, and "create a vibrant Niseko where children's smiles shine" through three cycles that will ensure the town's autonomy into the future: "1. resource circulation, 2. energy circulation, and 3. local economic circulation."
Furthermore, since taking office, I have consistently aimed to create a town of mutual assistance that everyone living in Niseko can be proud to live in, based on the principles of the Constitution of Japan and Niseko Town Basic Ordinance for Town Development. I would also like to add that when it comes to budget compilation and execution, I have been responsible for town administration from the perspective of local government management.
Educational administration enforcement policy
The government is beginning to move towards revising the next curriculum guidelines, but there is a need to thoroughly implement the PDCA cycle of reliable implementation, evaluation, and improvement of the current curriculum guidelines. In addition, in order to realize a "society where no one is left behind," there is a need to promote and improve education so that people in any region can receive the most appropriate education. There is also a need to improve the quality of education during the transition period between preschool, nursery, and elementary school.
In this environment, it is necessary to educate each and every student to recognize their own strengths and potential, to respect all others as valuable beings, to overcome various social changes while working with diverse people, to carve out rich lives, and to become creators of a sustainable society. Furthermore, as globalization progresses, it is important to improve classes by utilizing ICT, to fundamentally strengthen the development of digital talent through the promotion of digital transformation in high schools, and to enhance interdisciplinary and inquiry-based education.
The current curriculum guidelines will be introduced in elementary schools in 2020, and will be implemented in junior high and high schools, and specific evaluation and improvement are required. In addition, it is important to emphasize an "educational curriculum open to society," share the meaning of learning "for what purpose do we learn" in order to develop life skills, improve lessons from the perspective of "proactive, interactive, and deep learning," and establish "curriculum management" to improve the quality of educational activities in an organized and planned manner.
In this town, the 6th Niseko Town Comprehensive Plan was formulated in March 2024, and the basic philosophy was set as "Niseko, a city of co-creation of the future of children -Niseko Town 's beautiful scenery and nature for the children of the future." Regarding education, the main policy was set in Basic Goal 2, "Learning together and connecting to the future."
Educational administration enforcement policy
In school education, we will actively promote "an open curriculum to society" and "the use of ICT," and strive to improve the educational environment so that teachers can improve their teaching skills and promote improvements in classes. In particular, we will work to create an environment that can improve the quality of education both inside and outside of school, so that integrated efforts can be realized by going back and forth between "individually optimized learning" and "collaborative learning."
・1 Promoting the realization of a sustainable society
(1) Promotion of SDGs and ESD
Education is the foundation for human life. We will promote education for sustainable development (ESD) that fosters the creators of a sustainable society by taking advantage of Niseko's unique environment, including initiatives such as the SDGs Future City and Eco-Model City, so that everyone from children to adults can receive a high-quality education and deepen their learning throughout their lives, leading to the realization of a sustainable society (SDGs).
・2 Nurturing a rich mind and a healthy body
(1) Promotion of child-rearing support
With the aim of creating a city where children's smiles shine, we will comprehensively promote child-rearing support measures based on the Third Child and Child-rearing Support Project Plan.
In addition to providing a place for interaction and learning for parents and children who are not yet enrolled in kindergarten, and providing consultation and assistance regarding child-rearing, the local child-rearing support center provides temporary childcare and holiday childcare in an effort to improve the child-rearing environment.
For school-age children, we will provide after-school childcare programs at the Niseko Children's Center and after-school childcare facilities to provide a safe and secure place for them to go after school and play and live according to their developmental stage, in order to promote the healthy development of children. We will also install additional air conditioning at the Children's Center to improve the childcare environment.
We will also expand our Family Support Center operations, which provide mutual assistance in child-rearing, and will work to establish childcare centers using vacant facilities and increase the number of supporters, as well as examining the feasibility of providing childcare for sick children.
Furthermore, we will promote town development that nurtures children throughout the community, utilizing local power, such as by running childcare services by NPOs during long holidays, promoting the creation of playgrounds and spaces for children, and supporting other initiatives by private organizations.
(2) Promotion of early childhood education and childcare
Infancy is an important time for cultivating the foundations for lifelong personality development. It is important to provide a place where children can live in safety, support their growth and development, and provide high-quality early childhood education. For this reason, Yoji Centre, which handles both early childhood education and childcare, strives to provide education and childcare that fosters basic lifestyle habits and develops rich minds and healthy bodies through play and life in nature. In addition, we deepen our involvement with the local community through various activities such as reading picture books in cooperation with families and English time led by assistant language teachers and international exchange officers, and we value the image we would like children to have by the end of their early childhood years. We strive to further enrich early childhood education and childcare by promoting smooth transition to elementary school learning, and cooperation and exchange with junior high schools, high schools, and universities.
In addition, in order to improve convenience for users and reduce the workload of childcare workers, we will install permanent Wi-Fi in Yoji Centre and promote digitalization, such as expanding childcare support systems, while also working to secure human resources to resolve labor shortages.
We will proceed with preparations regarding the implementation methods and system design of our town's version of the "Any Child Can Attend Kindergarten System," which is scheduled to be implemented in all municipalities from fiscal year 2026.
(3) Improvement of physical strength and athletic ability
In order to ensure that children live healthy lives, we work with families to promote the development of basic lifestyle habits, and by utilizing the results of nationwide physical fitness and athletic ability surveys, we strive to improve physical fitness at Yoji Centre and schools and to help establish exercise habits.
(4) Enhancing health education and dietary education
In order to ensure safe, secure and stable school lunches, we will implement thorough hygiene management, as well as properly maintain and manage cooking machinery and equipment, inspect and repair them, and plan for the renewal of cooking machinery and other equipment.
In addition, we will strive to provide students with exposure to a variety of foods by utilizing local, Hokkaido, and domestic ingredients, and we will promote nutritional education through school lunches to foster interest in desirable eating habits and food culture, as well as health through food.
Regarding food allergies, we will continue to work with parents, students, and schools to provide individual support as before.
In addition, with regard to school lunch fees, we have previously kept the unit price of school lunches constant and have exempted school lunch fees for the second child and beyond. However, from fiscal 2025, we will utilize the national "Temporary Regional Revitalization Grant for Priority Support in Responding to Price Rise" to make school lunch fees free for parents of children attending the town's elementary and junior high schools, thereby further reducing the burden on households with children.
(5) Promotion of human rights and moral education
Our town has many immigrants from both within Japan and overseas, and a diverse range of children from different cultures and social backgrounds attend kindergarten and school. In addition to establishing the mutual aid philosophy left by Takeo Arishima, we will work together with families and the community to promote the realization of a peaceful and democratic society, respect each other's human rights and diversity, and promote moral education that fosters compassion.
In addition, in addition to respecting the human rights of children based on the Convention on the Rights of the Child to the maximum extent and striving to nurture richness and humanity, Article 11 of the Basic Town Development Ordinance (the right of townspeople under the age of 20 to participate in town development) We push forward town development participation of based child.
・3 Cultivating solid academic ability
(1) Developing the qualities and abilities required in the new era
Through research activities at the Niseko Style Educational Research Group, the faculty and staff work together as a team to improve educational activities from the perspective of "proactive, interactive, and deep learning." In addition, through community school activities, we will realize an "educational curriculum open to society" by making more active use of local human resources and resources, and foster the qualities and abilities necessary to become creators of the future.
(2) Promotion of special support education
In order to provide support according to the educational needs of each child, we provide educational and school consultations from an early stage, including in early childhood. For children who require special consideration, we strive to improve special needs education by providing them with part-time instruction (language and learning classrooms) and learning in special needs classes, as well as by appointing special needs instructors in elementary and junior high schools to provide support in daily life and learning.
(3) Enhancing STEAM and career education
We aim to enrich STEAM education by implementing cross-disciplinary and inquiry-based learning, including subjects during comprehensive study time, and nurturing the ability to integrate knowledge from different fields and solve problems creatively.
We will also work to enhance career education in schools so that students can acquire the qualities and abilities necessary for social and professional independence.
・4. Promoting Hometown and Multicultural Coexistence
(1) Promotion of Niseko-style education
"Niseko Style Education" is an initiative to raise children who learn in Niseko and love Niseko, considering the continuity of the 9 years of education from elementary school to junior high school, as well as the continuity with Yoji Centre and Niseko High School, and regarding the four schools as one continuous school body. We will further promote the Niseko Style of Education by promoting the priorities of English education, hometown learning, and the use of ICT, and by developing educational activities with a sense of unity among each school.
(2) Promotion of domestic and international exchange and international understanding
Using NISEKO World Village at Niseko High School as its base, the organization will work to create a multicultural society in which not only high school students, but also elementary and junior high school students and town residents can participate, while collaborating and exchanging with the Niseko Town International Exchange Promotion Council, Hokkaido International School Niseko (HIS), and Kyoto International University Niseko (KIUA).
Additionally, we will be implementing a youth exchange program with Satsumasendai City, Kagoshima Prefecture, and Takashima City (formerly Makino Town), Shiga Prefecture, to provide an opportunity for children to come into contact with different cultures and broaden their horizons.
(3) Promotion of Niseko High School
Niseko High School is creating a new school that features entrepreneurial education and international education, with the ultimate goal of nurturing global talent with civic pride. In entrepreneurial education, we promote research activities using digital technology, and in the after-school entrepreneurial club (Stars UP) that started in 2024, we utilize learning outcomes and create opportunities to challenge ourselves. In international education, we support the expenses of overseas training for fourth-year students, and promote the activities of NISEKO WorldVillage, where students can come into contact with English and foreign cultures on a daily basis and acquire an international sensibility while having fun, and foster the internationality and English skills necessary to survive in a global society.
In addition, we will proceed with comprehensive high school reform efforts, including proceeding with the consideration of specific educational curricula that take advantage of the characteristics of the new full-time, advancement-oriented, credit-based comprehensive high school to be established in 2026, striving to secure teaching staff, and reviewing existing subsidy programs that have supported students and parents.
Construction work for the new student dormitory (new dormitory) will be carried out in 2025 based on the detailed design in 2024, and a system for accepting new students will be established in 2026. In addition, a temporary dormitory has been built behind Kibougaoka Dormitory to accommodate the expected increase in students wishing to live in the dormitory. As the number of students using the dormitory is increasing, we will proceed with providing meals to students in new ways, while also considering how to provide meals to the new dormitory.
In addition, the new high school will have an enrollment capacity of 70 students per grade, which will mean that it will no longer be possible to provide school lunches as in the past, so the school will be considering ways to provide lunches as an alternative to school lunches.
Regarding school buildings, based on the basic concept formulated in 2024, renovation design work and partial renovation of school buildings will be carried out in 2025.
The number of applicants for the 2024 and 2025 academic years exceeded the capacity, and we expect to secure the number of students. We believe this is the result of our student recruitment efforts, such as implementing some of the new high school curriculum from the 2026 academic year in advance, visiting neighboring towns and villages, holding school information sessions, and utilizing the Regional Future Study Abroad program. We will further strengthen our student recruitment efforts for the 2026 academic year in order to secure the capacity.
・5 Establishing an environment that enhances the quality of learning
(1) Promotion of ICT utilization
In order to further advance digital transformation in education, we will work to improve the educational environment by integrating hardware, software, and human resources. In addition to improving the learning environment, deploying ICT support staff, and improving the teaching skills of teachers and staff using ICT, we will also work to improve the quality of education by enhancing learning through the use of learning support software and its use in home learning.
In addition, we will introduce a parent communication app that can be linked to the school management support system already in operation, making communication between the school and parents more efficient and reducing the administrative burden on teachers and staff.
(2) Promotion of educational counseling and student guidance support
There is a need to respond to changes in the society surrounding children and students, such as addressing bullying, school absenteeism, and online troubles.
In addition to striving for early detection and prevention based on the basic policy for preventing bullying, we will also value the independent activities of children and students and strive to create an educational environment in which they can think up and follow rules on their own.
To help resolve these issues, we will assign school counselors to enhance consultation services with students and their parents.
(3) Enhancement of training opportunities for faculty and staff
In order to provide a continuous, high-quality education and maximize the potential of children, we support the activities of the Niseko Style Educational Research Group, which is made up of teachers from the town, to ensure that teachers are equipped with the necessary qualities and abilities, such as a strong sense of mission, rich social skills, and practical teaching abilities.
On the "Niseko Style Education Day" scheduled for November, teachers and staff from all schools in the town gather together to discuss and research ways to improve learning, and work on improving classes.
(4) Promotion of work style reform
We will promote work style reform in schools so that teachers and staff can focus on truly necessary educational activities while effectively utilizing limited human and material resources to achieve the educational goals of each school. We will also further advance digital transformation in the educational field and create a work environment where teachers and staff can fully utilize their abilities.
(5) Building a learning safety net
It is important to provide necessary support so that learning opportunities are not affected by the environment in which a child was born and raised, and to create an environment in which all children can attend school with peace of mind. Through the school attendance assistance system, we will continue to provide financial support for school supplies, school lunch fees, etc.
In addition, we will assign teachers, staff and support staff to children who do not understand Japanese, including children of returnees, to provide children with the opportunity to attend school, help them adapt to school life, and provide appropriate guidance.
(6) Improving the educational environment
We will improve the educational environment at each school to provide a safe and comfortable learning environment. At Niseko Elementary School, we will install air conditioners in the staff room and nurse's office, etc., which do not have them, to combat the heat in the school. At Niseko Junior High School, we will convert student toilets to Western-style toilets, and at Kondo Elementary School, we will convert lighting fixtures to LED.
In addition, at Niseko High School, in preparation for the transition to a full-time education, we will proceed with design work for renovating the school building, renovating classrooms, and equipping them with desks, chairs, and other equipment.
・6 Strengthening cooperation between the community and schools
(1) Promotion of community schools
Through the activities of each school's community school, schools, families, and the local community will share issues and goals and strive to realize an "educational curriculum that is open to society." Using the abundant educational resources of Niseko, such as its natural environment and diverse human resources, we will promote community development initiatives and local school collaborative activities in cooperation with families and the local community, and work to enhance "education that nurtures children who are unique, love Niseko, and are proud of Niseko."
(2) Promoting school crisis management systems
In preparation for disasters, incidents, and accidents, we will further strengthen disaster prevention education, crime prevention education, and road safety education. Regarding road safety, we will further strengthen cooperation with related organizations such as the police and road administrators, and will conduct safety inspections of school routes by the Town School Route Safety Promotion Council. In addition, we will develop and review crisis management manuals throughout the school's educational activities.
Regarding school bus operations, we will strive to prioritize safety, set up efficient routes, and review bus times to match school arrival and departure times to ensure that students have a means of transportation to and from school.
7. Enhancing lifelong learning and sports
(1) Enhancement of lifelong learning opportunities
We will work to provide diverse learning opportunities and promote recurrent education so that people can learn anytime, anywhere throughout their lives.
As a learning opportunity for children, we will be holding the "Niseko Future Lab", which aims to allow them to come into contact with the town's various educational resources, learn about the good things about their hometown through discoveries and impressions, and develop the minds and bodies that will enable them to live strong lives for the future.
Learning opportunities for the elderly include study sessions and social gatherings at Kotobuki University to improve their knowledge and culture, and to help them live healthy, bright and cultured lives.
(2) Promotion of lifelong sports activities
In order to make winter sports more accessible, we will provide opportunities to experience a variety of skiing styles, including skiing, snowboarding, and cross-country skiing. In addition, with the cooperation of each ski resort in the town, we will continue to subsidize the use of lifts for infants, children, students, and their guardians.
In terms of sporting opportunities, we will continue to hold various sporting competitions, including the "Community Citizens' Sports Day" with the aim of promoting health and building friendships, and will also support the Mayor's Cup Sports Tournament and Niseko Marathon Festival, both of which are organized by sports organizations to encourage competitive ability.
The town sports association plays a central role in promoting sports among the townspeople, and we will support the activities of its member organizations and work to promote community-based sports activities and to train and secure instructors.
In addition, in order to make club activities held at schools sustainable, the Town Holiday Club Activities Local Transition Review Council will consider measures for the gradual transition of club activities to the local community.
(3) Enhancement of lifelong learning and sports facilities
In order to make each facility under our jurisdiction safe, comfortable, and easy-to-use for all, we will strive to maintain and manage it appropriately based on long-term vision and development plans. At the General Gymnasium, we will proceed with design work for the arena floor, which is aging and in need of renovation.
8. Promotion of culture and the arts
(1) Promotion of artistic and cultural activities
Because culture and the arts contribute to the formation of a spiritually rich society, we will share roles and cooperate with related organizations to hold concerts for townspeople sponsored by the Cultural Association, youth art appreciation events for children and students, and exhibitions of children's work. We will also use facilities such as Niseko Town Center, the Learning and Exchange Center "Asobuku," and Arishima Takeo Memorial Museum to ensure opportunities to experience the arts, such as music appreciation.
(2) Promotion of reading activities
The Learning and Exchange Center "Asobuku" not only provides a fun and accessible reading environment for everyday use as a library, but also supports volunteer activities related to reading.
In addition, based on the Third Children's Reading Promotion Plan, in order to promote reading activities among children and students through schools, we will carry out support activities for schools with the cooperation of the NPO Asobooku-no-Kai, and will also work to improve the library environment, make effective use of the library, and enhance the book selection.
(3) Enhancement of Arishima Takeo Memorial Museum
Arishima Takeo Memorial Museum is committed to introducing and passing on the literary achievements of Arishima Takeo, one of the most representative writers of the Taisho period, including his work on farm liberation, as well as hosting special exhibitions on literature, local history, and art, as well as educational outreach programs, and striving to improve its four functions as an art museum, literature museum, local history museum, and culture hall.
As for museum activities, the Arishima Takeo Memorial Museum will hold the "Arishima Takeo Youth Open Art Exhibition" for junior and senior high school students, as well as exhibitions utilizing the collection of illustrator Fujikura Hideyuki that is held at Arishima Takeo Memorial Museum, at sister museums and facilities outside the town.
In terms of the museum's activities, the permanent exhibition room will be open to the public all year round, and the museum will also be hosting the "Arishima Memorial Hall: A Land of Stories and Play" in collaboration with "Kids Park," a winter space for children run by the Niseko Future Support Team NPO.
Regarding local history museum activities, we will collect historical materials from the town and digitize them. At the Niseko Railway Heritage Site, in cooperation with Niseko Town Railway Culture Association, we will hold events to display railway vehicles and promote public relations activities to raise awareness both within and outside the town.
Approximately 50 years have passed since Arishima Takeo Memorial Museum was constructed, and deterioration has become an issue. Based on the principle of maintaining Arishima Takeo Memorial Museum building and the surrounding environment, including Arishima Memorial Park, we will continue to consider ways to maintain these four functions into the future.
In 2025, we intend to continue to proactively address various issues surrounding education while further enhancing the management of the Board of Education.
Topic of town
みなさんの地域や職場の話題などありましたら、広報担当（TEL 0136-44-2121）までお気軽にご連絡ください。
With memories in mind
Graduation ceremonies at schools in the town
In March, graduation ceremonies were held at various schools in the town. 41 students graduated from Niseko Elementary School, 7 from Kondo Elementary School, 44 from Niseko Junior High School, and 22 from Niseko High School.
At the ceremony, the principals of each school presented the diplomas, after which each graduate from Niseko Elementary School delivered a message of thanks to their parents and teachers, and words of encouragement to the current students. At Kondo Elementary School, the entire school sang a memorable song that they sang together at the school play, conveying their gratitude to their classmates through song.
At Niseko High School and Niseko Junior High School, representatives of the graduating class gave speeches of gratitude to their teachers, parents, and classmates.
We hope that you will cherish the memories and friends you have made during your school life, and that you will thrive in your new environment.
With many memories in mind, the final chorus with friends (Niseko Junior High School)
Last homeroom with the teacher (Niseko Elementary School)
Graduates are beaming with smiles as they are presented with bouquets by current students (Kondo Elementary School)
Learning about the world through picture books
11th Picture Book World
The town held the 11th Picture Book World at the Town Hall on February 15th. Volunteer Niseko High School students were seen enjoying picture books with the children, creating a warm atmosphere at the venue. In addition, the Asobook Puppet Troupe performed a puppet show called "Daruma-chan and Tengu-chan," which had the children laughing out loud at the cute exchange between Daruma-chan and Tengu-chan.
Children and adults alike enjoyed picture books from around the world.
Acquired disaster prevention knowledge
Niseko Town Junior Firefighting Club Graduation Ceremony
The Junior Firefighting Club graduation ceremony was held on February 16th, with five of the six club members attending to receive their certificates from the Niseko Branch Chief.
Since the founding ceremony, the Boys' Firefighting Club has held seven study sessions, including water discharge training and first aid courses. Club members looked back on their activities over the past year and shared what impressed them and what they would like to use in the future.
Club members feel a sense of accomplishment after completing a year of activities
Make Winter Memories
Scenic Night 2025
"Scenic Night 2025" was held around Kiranoyu for four days on February 8th, 9th, 15th, and 16th.
Every day at 5pm, candles were lit on the snow spelling out "NISEKO," and the Kiranoyu parking lot was brightly lit up.
On the final day, the 16th, fireworks were launched at 7pm and the event came to a close with warm applause from the visitors.
A stunning combination of the "NISEKO" lettering and fireworks
A handmade corsage made with love
Presents for high school students
Every year, the Day Service Center presents graduating students from Niseko High School with hand-made corsages made by day service users to wear at the graduation ceremony. On February 28th, two fourth-year students and one third-year student from Niseko High School visited the Day Service Center the day before their graduation ceremony and received their corsages.
The students received beautiful, colorful, carefully crafted corsages along with powerful words of encouragement from day service users. They then expressed their gratitude and their aspirations for after graduation.
It was a wonderful time for interaction.
Enjoy the nature of Niseko
Mystery solving snowshoe walking
On March 1st and 2nd, a walking event was held at Niseko Village, where participants walked across the snow in snowshoes or Japanese snow shoes and solved puzzles at checkpoints.
The characters ask questions that are rich in local characteristics, and the points are tallied in a hybrid format that utilizes the "digital stamp rally function." The approximately 80 participants, including local parents and children and tourists who were invited free of charge by the Tourism Association, had a great time, winning luxurious prizes such as accommodation vouchers and meal vouchers in a lottery.
It was a new experience for me to learn about Niseko and enjoy the great outdoors.
A parent and child walking through the snow and trying to solve puzzles at checkpoints
Learning from Top Athletes
Cross-country skiing experience tournament
The Board of Education held a cross-country skiing experience event at Kondo Elementary School on March 2nd. Yusuke Minato, a member of the Japanese Olympic team, and Yuki Sato, the winner of the Japan Championships, were invited to the event, and together with Kohei Shimizu, a town volunteer who has represented Japan, they gave instruction to the children on how to ski.
In addition to careful instruction, the final relay race was a valuable opportunity to witness the speed of top athletes. Even the children who were experiencing it for the first time said, "It was fun, and I want to do it again."
Children with satisfied expressions
Contributing to safer lives for local residents
Certificate of appreciation for contributions to the community
On March 4th at the town hall, Mayor Katayama presented a letter of appreciation to Road Industries Co., Ltd. for their contributions to the local community.
As a social contribution activity, Road Industry Co., Ltd. carried out snow removal work for households that had difficulty removing snow on their own, contributing to welfare administration and carrying out activities that reduced the burden on residents.
We are deeply grateful for your tremendous contributions to the community.
Mayor Katayama and Director Yamaguchi of the Shiribeshi Sales Office
To protect the lives of the townspeople
Simulated fire drill
A mock fire drill was held around the sports park to coincide with Fire Prevention Day on March 7. The purpose of this drill is to strengthen cooperation among fire brigade members and to improve relay and water supply techniques.
On this day, a forest fire was assumed to have broken out, and participants were trained to operate fire engines, extend hoses, and relay water supply when a fire breaks out.
Members of the team training with serious expressions
A place for interaction with local residents
The 4th Minna no Shokudo
On March 7th, the NPO Niseko Future Support Team held a Minna no Shokudo (Everybody's Dining Hall). About 250 local residents participated and enjoyed stews and salads made with plenty of winter vegetables from Niseko Town.
All the dishes that the 15 grandmas prepared with all their skill were delicious! It was a heartwarming event that also deepened interactions with the local community.
Niseko High School students helped serve the food.
With memories in mind
Graduation ceremonies at schools in the town
In March, graduation ceremonies were held at various schools in the town. 41 students graduated from Niseko Elementary School, 7 from Kondo Elementary School, 44 from Niseko Junior High School, and 22 from Niseko High School.
At the ceremony, the principals of each school presented the diplomas, after which each graduate from Niseko Elementary School delivered a message of thanks to their parents and teachers, and words of encouragement to the current students. At Kondo Elementary School, the entire school sang a memorable song that they sang together at the school play, conveying their gratitude to their classmates through song.
At Niseko High School and Niseko Junior High School, representatives of the graduating class gave speeches of gratitude to their teachers, parents, and classmates.
We hope that you will cherish the memories and friends you have made during your school life, and that you will thrive in your new environment.
With many memories in mind, the final chorus with friends (Niseko Junior High School)
Last homeroom with the teacher (Niseko Elementary School)
Graduates are beaming with smiles as they are presented with bouquets by current students (Kondo Elementary School)
Learning about the world through picture books
11th Picture Book World
The town held the 11th Picture Book World at the Town Hall on February 15th. Volunteer Niseko High School students were seen enjoying picture books with the children, creating a warm atmosphere at the venue. In addition, the Asobook Puppet Troupe performed a puppet show called "Daruma-chan and Tengu-chan," which had the children laughing out loud at the cute exchange between Daruma-chan and Tengu-chan.
Children and adults alike enjoyed picture books from around the world.
Acquired disaster prevention knowledge
Niseko Town Junior Firefighting Club Graduation Ceremony
The Junior Firefighting Club graduation ceremony was held on February 16th, with five of the six club members attending to receive their certificates from the Niseko Branch Chief.
Since the founding ceremony, the Boys' Firefighting Club has held seven study sessions, including water discharge training and first aid courses. Club members looked back on their activities over the past year and shared what impressed them and what they would like to use in the future.
Club members feel a sense of accomplishment after completing a year of activities
Make Winter Memories
Scenic Night 2025
"Scenic Night 2025" was held around Kiranoyu for four days on February 8th, 9th, 15th, and 16th.
Every day at 5pm, candles were lit on the snow spelling out "NISEKO," and the Kiranoyu parking lot was brightly lit up.
On the final day, the 16th, fireworks were launched at 7pm and the event came to a close with warm applause from the visitors.
A stunning combination of the "NISEKO" lettering and fireworks
A handmade corsage made with love
Presents for high school students
Every year, the Day Service Center presents graduating students from Niseko High School with hand-made corsages made by day service users to wear at the graduation ceremony. On February 28th, two fourth-year students and one third-year student from Niseko High School visited the Day Service Center the day before their graduation ceremony and received their corsages.
The students received beautiful, colorful, carefully crafted corsages along with powerful words of encouragement from day service users. They then expressed their gratitude and their aspirations for after graduation.
It was a wonderful time for interaction.
Enjoy the nature of Niseko
Mystery solving snowshoe walking
On March 1st and 2nd, a walking event was held at Niseko Village, where participants walked across the snow in snowshoes or Japanese snow shoes and solved puzzles at checkpoints.
The characters ask questions that are rich in local characteristics, and the points are tallied in a hybrid format that utilizes the "digital stamp rally function." The approximately 80 participants, including local parents and children and tourists who were invited free of charge by the Tourism Association, had a great time, winning luxurious prizes such as accommodation vouchers and meal vouchers in a lottery.
It was a new experience for me to learn about Niseko and enjoy the great outdoors.
A parent and child walking through the snow and trying to solve puzzles at checkpoints
Learning from Top Athletes
Cross-country skiing experience tournament
The Board of Education held a cross-country skiing experience event at Kondo Elementary School on March 2nd. Yusuke Minato, a member of the Japanese Olympic team, and Yuki Sato, the winner of the Japan Championships, were invited to the event, and together with Kohei Shimizu, a town volunteer who has represented Japan, they gave instruction to the children on how to ski.
In addition to careful instruction, the final relay race was a valuable opportunity to witness the speed of top athletes. Even the children who were experiencing it for the first time said, "It was fun, and I want to do it again."
Children with satisfied expressions
Contributing to safer lives for local residents
Certificate of appreciation for contributions to the community
On March 4th at the town hall, Mayor Katayama presented a letter of appreciation to Road Industries Co., Ltd. for their contributions to the local community.
As a social contribution activity, Road Industry Co., Ltd. carried out snow removal work for households that had difficulty removing snow on their own, contributing to welfare administration and carrying out activities that reduced the burden on residents.
We are deeply grateful for your tremendous contributions to the community.
Mayor Katayama and Director Yamaguchi of the Shiribeshi Sales Office
To protect the lives of the townspeople
Simulated fire drill
A mock fire drill was held around the sports park to coincide with Fire Prevention Day on March 7. The purpose of this drill is to strengthen cooperation among fire brigade members and to improve relay and water supply techniques.
On this day, a forest fire was assumed to have broken out, and participants were trained to operate fire engines, extend hoses, and relay water supply when a fire breaks out.
Members of the team training with serious expressions
A place for interaction with local residents
The 4th Minna no Shokudo
On March 7th, the NPO Niseko Future Support Team held a Minna no Shokudo (Everybody's Dining Hall). About 250 local residents participated and enjoyed stews and salads made with plenty of winter vegetables from Niseko Town.
All the dishes that the 15 grandmas prepared with all their skill were delicious! It was a heartwarming event that also deepened interactions with the local community.
Niseko High School students helped serve the food.
Everybody's page
This is a participation page for all town residents.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Public Relations Planning & Environment Division
TEL.44-2121 FAX.44-3500
We would like to introduce you to the opinions and letters received from everyone.
My opinion
We will introduce some of the projects that the town has prepared for easy communication between the townspeople and the town.
Please feel free to join us.
○Machizukuri townspeople lecture
The lectures will be given by section chiefs from the town hall and other relevant departments, who will inform residents about the current situation and challenges of their respective responsibilities, providing an opportunity for them to share information and think together.
This course is held when there is an important issue. We will inform you as soon as the theme and date are decided.
○Please use town development talk
If you want to talk with the town mayor in a group, please use "Town Development Talk".
When about five people have gathered, the mayor will visit the designated location. If there is no location, the town will prepare one. It is also available for those who wish to hear specialized talks from section chiefs and staff members.
○ We are looking for townspeople reporters
"Koho Niseko Newsletter" is currently running a popular section in which local reporters introduce people they meet in town, recommended places, and their daily thoughts.
Last year, seven reporters introduced things related to Niseko. Anyone who is a resident of Niseko Town reporter. There is no age limit.
If you enjoy writing, want to know more about Niseko, want to start something new, or just love Niseko, please feel free to join us. Pen names are also OK.
We look forward to hearing from you, either by telephone, fax, or e-mail, as indicated on the left.
■Inquiries: Public Relations Planning & Environment Division
TEL 0136-44-2121
FAX 0136-44-3500
メールアドレス koho@town.niseko.lg.jp
Niseko High School Agriculture Club
All-stars baseball
2nd Year Accountant Otsuki Shuto
Nice to meet you. I'm Otsuki Shuto, the new treasurer of the Niseko High School Student Council.
What I think is most important in a high school is that all students feel glad to have enrolled in this school. I think Niseko High School is a great school, and many students feel that way. However, I wanted to create a school where everyone can be satisfied, so I ran for student council.
Currently, Niseko High School is undergoing a period of great change, including a review of school rules, an entrepreneurial education program, and an English village. In the midst of these changes, I want to make this a school where no student is left behind and where everyone can enjoy themselves. I believe there will be many changes in the future, but I will do my best to help Niseko High School grow, so I appreciate your support.
Niseko Tanka Association
There are rocks, tree branches, and water plants. I can see the flow of the river.
Now that the days of Kisaragi are getting longer, I read the Tale of Genji day and night.
Niseko Haiku Association
Shadow of a woman who resembles her husband, Winter cherry blossoms, Yoshie Koshino
The afterglow of the snowy mountains is fading away by Yuriko Kudo
The child leaves behind an empty futon.
The elegant and charming wild daffodil by Masako Kinshita
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Public Relations Planning & Environment Division
TEL.44-2121 FAX.44-3500
We would like to introduce you to the opinions and letters received from everyone.
My opinion
We will introduce some of the projects that the town has prepared for easy communication between the townspeople and the town.
Please feel free to join us.
○Machizukuri townspeople lecture
The lectures will be given by section chiefs from the town hall and other relevant departments, who will inform residents about the current situation and challenges of their respective responsibilities, providing an opportunity for them to share information and think together.
This course is held when there is an important issue. We will inform you as soon as the theme and date are decided.
○Please use town development talk
If you want to talk with the town mayor in a group, please use "Town Development Talk".
When about five people have gathered, the mayor will visit the designated location. If there is no location, the town will prepare one. It is also available for those who wish to hear specialized talks from section chiefs and staff members.
○ We are looking for townspeople reporters
"Koho Niseko Newsletter" is currently running a popular section in which local reporters introduce people they meet in town, recommended places, and their daily thoughts.
Last year, seven reporters introduced things related to Niseko. Anyone who is a resident of Niseko Town reporter. There is no age limit.
If you enjoy writing, want to know more about Niseko, want to start something new, or just love Niseko, please feel free to join us. Pen names are also OK.
We look forward to hearing from you, either by telephone, fax, or e-mail, as indicated on the left.
■Inquiries: Public Relations Planning & Environment Division
TEL 0136-44-2121
FAX 0136-44-3500
メールアドレス koho@town.niseko.lg.jp
Niseko High School Agriculture Club
All-stars baseball
2nd Year Accountant Otsuki Shuto
Nice to meet you. I'm Otsuki Shuto, the new treasurer of the Niseko High School Student Council.
What I think is most important in a high school is that all students feel glad to have enrolled in this school. I think Niseko High School is a great school, and many students feel that way. However, I wanted to create a school where everyone can be satisfied, so I ran for student council.
Currently, Niseko High School is undergoing a period of great change, including a review of school rules, an entrepreneurial education program, and an English village. In the midst of these changes, I want to make this a school where no student is left behind and where everyone can enjoy themselves. I believe there will be many changes in the future, but I will do my best to help Niseko High School grow, so I appreciate your support.
Niseko Tanka Association
There are rocks, tree branches, and water plants. I can see the flow of the river.
Now that the days of Kisaragi are getting longer, I read the Tale of Genji day and night.
Niseko Haiku Association
Shadow of a woman who resembles her husband, Winter cherry blossoms, Yoshie Koshino
The afterglow of the snowy mountains is fading away by Yuriko Kudo
The child leaves behind an empty futon.
The elegant and charming wild daffodil by Masako Kinshita
Playbook Newsletter No.265
Learning Exchange Center Aso Book
■ Opening hours: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Closed: Mondays, last Fridays, public holidays, year-end and New Year holidays
TEL.0136-43-2155 FAX.0136-43-2156
https://asobook-lib.com/
Spring picture books on display
The snow is starting to melt little by little at the foot of Mt. Yotei.
Please come to Asobook and feel the spring.
Staff's recommended books
We are exhibiting books recommended by Asobook staff. Why not try out some books that you wouldn't normally pick up?
Notice
Closed days during Golden Week
During the Golden Week period, we will be closed on the following dates. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Closed: April 29th (Tue), May 3rd (Sat) - May 6th (Tue)
*The museum will be open as usual from Wednesday, May 7th.
Children's Reading Week
"The secret word is HI-RA-KE-HO-N!"
Children's Reading Week was established in 1959 (Showa 34) with the desire to provide more books for children and more places for children to read books.
How important it is for children to become familiar with books from an early age, to know the joy and pleasure of reading, and to develop the ability to make correct judgments... "Children's Reading Week" is not just a time to encourage children to read, but also a time for adults to think about the importance of reading for children.
This year we will also be holding an exhibition related to Reading Week.
◆Exhibition period: 4/23-5/12
Best Reading 2024
We will introduce the most read books in 2024.
1st place: "Tomogui" by Akiko Kawasaki
2nd place: "Spinoza's Examination Room" by Sosuke Natsukawa
3rd place: "Naruse is going to take over the world" by Mina Miyajima
4th place: "Weaving Stars" by Yu Nagira
5th place: "Golden Kamuy Volume 30" by Satoru Noda
"Golden Kamuy Volume 31" by Satoru Noda
"Nene of the Watermill" by Kikuko Tsumura
"Black Showman and the Awakening Women" by Keigo Higashino
These are the results for this year. You can also reserve popular books.
Do you want to participate in volunteer activities?
At Asobook, various activities are carried out mainly by the members of volunteer groups. There are currently nine active groups. Activities range from puppet shows and story time to making cloth picture books, delivering and collecting books, playing musical instruments, and appearing on the radio.
Through volunteering, you can meet new people and enjoy the fun of sharing what you love with others. For more information, please see the volunteer recruitment flyer or feel free to contact us.
Exhibition
book display
4/1-4/30 "Mental Health Care"
Spring is a time when we are prone to feel stress due to various changes in the environment. We may find ourselves trying new things, or working hard every day despite feeling stressed.
We have collected books to help you get through this time while taking care of your mind and body.
hobby exhibition
4／1～4／30
Photo by Tomio Sato
New arrival book introduction
practical book
Terada Honke Fermentation Cafe's delicious recipes every day by Satomi Terada
Creating a family tree. Eitaro Nagamine
The world's most beautiful tool encyclopedia by Theodore Gray
Reading material
I can't be discouraged. Jane Su
Spring in the Lonely Castle - Hitomi Sawada
Mother of the Alps Seat, Kazuma Hayami
Children's books and picture books
Also available in English: One Foot, One Foot by Leo Lionni
Be safe with your excavator! Hiroki Hattori
Shohei Otani, Sherrell Kim, and others
■ Opening hours: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Closed: Mondays, last Fridays, public holidays, year-end and New Year holidays
TEL.0136-43-2155 FAX.0136-43-2156
https://asobook-lib.com/
Spring picture books on display
The snow is starting to melt little by little at the foot of Mt. Yotei.
Please come to Asobook and feel the spring.
Staff's recommended books
We are exhibiting books recommended by Asobook staff. Why not try out some books that you wouldn't normally pick up?
Notice
Closed days during Golden Week
During the Golden Week period, we will be closed on the following dates. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Closed: April 29th (Tue), May 3rd (Sat) - May 6th (Tue)
*The museum will be open as usual from Wednesday, May 7th.
Children's Reading Week
"The secret word is HI-RA-KE-HO-N!"
Children's Reading Week was established in 1959 (Showa 34) with the desire to provide more books for children and more places for children to read books.
How important it is for children to become familiar with books from an early age, to know the joy and pleasure of reading, and to develop the ability to make correct judgments... "Children's Reading Week" is not just a time to encourage children to read, but also a time for adults to think about the importance of reading for children.
This year we will also be holding an exhibition related to Reading Week.
◆Exhibition period: 4/23-5/12
Best Reading 2024
We will introduce the most read books in 2024.
1st place: "Tomogui" by Akiko Kawasaki
2nd place: "Spinoza's Examination Room" by Sosuke Natsukawa
3rd place: "Naruse is going to take over the world" by Mina Miyajima
4th place: "Weaving Stars" by Yu Nagira
5th place: "Golden Kamuy Volume 30" by Satoru Noda
"Golden Kamuy Volume 31" by Satoru Noda
"Nene of the Watermill" by Kikuko Tsumura
"Black Showman and the Awakening Women" by Keigo Higashino
These are the results for this year. You can also reserve popular books.
Do you want to participate in volunteer activities?
At Asobook, various activities are carried out mainly by the members of volunteer groups. There are currently nine active groups. Activities range from puppet shows and story time to making cloth picture books, delivering and collecting books, playing musical instruments, and appearing on the radio.
Through volunteering, you can meet new people and enjoy the fun of sharing what you love with others. For more information, please see the volunteer recruitment flyer or feel free to contact us.
Exhibition
book display
4/1-4/30 "Mental Health Care"
Spring is a time when we are prone to feel stress due to various changes in the environment. We may find ourselves trying new things, or working hard every day despite feeling stressed.
We have collected books to help you get through this time while taking care of your mind and body.
hobby exhibition
4／1～4／30
Photo by Tomio Sato
New arrival book introduction
practical book
Terada Honke Fermentation Cafe's delicious recipes every day by Satomi Terada
Creating a family tree. Eitaro Nagamine
The world's most beautiful tool encyclopedia by Theodore Gray
Reading material
I can't be discouraged. Jane Su
Spring in the Lonely Castle - Hitomi Sawada
Mother of the Alps Seat, Kazuma Hayami
Children's books and picture books
Also available in English: One Foot, One Foot by Leo Lionni
Be safe with your excavator! Hiroki Hattori
Shohei Otani, Sherrell Kim, and others
Niseko Town Area Development Cooperation Team
Report daily activities from the members!
My Neighborhood Cooperation Team 43.
We will send out information every month so that the townspeople can learn about the activities and personalities of our volunteers!
Editor in charge
<2nd year> Risa Ito Osamu Muraoka
First year: Kyoka Sato, Kosuke Ota
Activities of the Japan Cooperation Volunteers
Introducing
≫Radio Niseko
Inside [Kira Niseko]
“The cooperation team,
Because I love Niseko.”
(every Monday from 3:20 pm to 50 pm)
<April performers>
4/7 Daisuke Kudo and Takako Itami
14 Misa Kudo and Risa Ito
21 Yosuke Kiyobe and Kyoka Sato
28 Kohei Shimizu and Emi Deguchi
≫Information is also being sent on SNS!
website
▼
Facebook
▼
Instagram
▼
Graduation special feature
Hirokazu Fukikoshi (from Sapporo)
Placement: General Education Division
It was a three-year period in which I was blessed with many connections.
Thank you so much for welcoming us warmly over the past three years. We are grateful for the opportunities to work with the local community and for the many connections we have made.
"Children's Cafeteria" started with the idea of "What can we do for children?" We changed the name to "Everyone's Cafeteria" to allow more people to participate, and have continued our activities. We would like to thank all the farmers, companies, and 10-year-old grandmas who supported us.
I will return to Sapporo in April and take on new challenges. I hope everyone will continue to have a good time and have fun! I hope Niseko Town will become an even better town!
Thank you very much for the past three years!
Kenji Hirayama (from Ebetsu City)
Assignment / Niseko Central Warehouse Group
It changed my life
It's already been three years since I moved to Niseko Town, and I can't hide my surprise that I graduated in such a short time. Time flies.
I met many people through my volunteer activities and was able to grow with their support. I am deeply grateful for the kindness I received from the local community. I would like to continue living in this town after I graduate from the volunteer program and find a job that allows me to give back to the townspeople, so I am currently looking for a new job.
However, I am currently looking for a new job, so I regret that I cannot give you any specific information, but I think I will probably be living in Niseko Town and working somewhere. If you see me around, please say hello!
Thank you for the past 3 years!
Thanks
Niseko Kids Park in Arishima Takeo Memorial Museum
Osamu Muraoka (from Hyogo Prefecture)
Assignment / Children's Future Division
"Niseko Kids Park in Arishima Takeo Memorial Museum" ended with great success. There was plenty to enjoy for parents and children, including an exhibition of the picture book "A Bunch of Grapes," air toys, and trampolines, and many smiles were seen. In addition to conveying the thoughts of Takeo Arishima to the next generation, the event also played a major role as a place to support child-rearing in the local area. Thank you to everyone who visited and cooperated.
Overall Activity Report February
event support
Scenic Night 2025 to light up winter nights
The Scenic Night, which illuminates Niseko in winter with candlelight, was held again this year.
At the venue in the Kiranoyu parking lot, the work began with using a chainsaw to carve letters into the snow wall.
Afterwards, many people participated in the work of digging out the snow to create the word "NISEKO." Once completed, the "NISEKO" candles were lit for four days. On the final day, fireworks were launched, and it was a fantastic sight to behold up close, which became a fond memory. (Kizawa Daigo)
Team building in the second half of the year
The instructor was Sawada Kayoko, a former JOCV of Hikobayu LLC, who gave a talk about Niseko's forests while the participants walked on snowshoes. Afterwards, they toured a distillery, experienced fir distillation, made oil spray, and listened to a lecture, and throughout the day they learned a lot about Niseko's nature and how to utilize its forest resources. It was also an opportunity to interact with JOCVs from other locations, and it was a day where everyone was able to experience the charm of Niseko Town. (Takagi Nanami)
FY 2024
We hosted a pep rally and activity report session!
The 25 members of the volunteer team introduced themselves and reported on their activities in the form of a TV commercial, and interacted with government officials, local business owners, and former volunteers, deepening mutual understanding. In a friendly atmosphere, the graduating members were presented with bouquets of flowers, with the hope that they will continue in a better form next year. Thank you to everyone involved and in attendance! (Ito Risa)
My Neighborhood Cooperation Team 43.
We will send out information every month so that the townspeople can learn about the activities and personalities of our volunteers!
Editor in charge
<2nd year> Risa Ito Osamu Muraoka
First year: Kyoka Sato, Kosuke Ota
Activities of the Japan Cooperation Volunteers
Introducing
≫Radio Niseko
Inside [Kira Niseko]
“The cooperation team,
Because I love Niseko.”
(every Monday from 3:20 pm to 50 pm)
<April performers>
4/7 Daisuke Kudo and Takako Itami
14 Misa Kudo and Risa Ito
21 Yosuke Kiyobe and Kyoka Sato
28 Kohei Shimizu and Emi Deguchi
≫Information is also being sent on SNS!
website
▼
▼
▼
Graduation special feature
Hirokazu Fukikoshi (from Sapporo)
Placement: General Education Division
It was a three-year period in which I was blessed with many connections.
Thank you so much for welcoming us warmly over the past three years. We are grateful for the opportunities to work with the local community and for the many connections we have made.
"Children's Cafeteria" started with the idea of "What can we do for children?" We changed the name to "Everyone's Cafeteria" to allow more people to participate, and have continued our activities. We would like to thank all the farmers, companies, and 10-year-old grandmas who supported us.
I will return to Sapporo in April and take on new challenges. I hope everyone will continue to have a good time and have fun! I hope Niseko Town will become an even better town!
Thank you very much for the past three years!
Kenji Hirayama (from Ebetsu City)
Assignment / Niseko Central Warehouse Group
It changed my life
It's already been three years since I moved to Niseko Town, and I can't hide my surprise that I graduated in such a short time. Time flies.
I met many people through my volunteer activities and was able to grow with their support. I am deeply grateful for the kindness I received from the local community. I would like to continue living in this town after I graduate from the volunteer program and find a job that allows me to give back to the townspeople, so I am currently looking for a new job.
However, I am currently looking for a new job, so I regret that I cannot give you any specific information, but I think I will probably be living in Niseko Town and working somewhere. If you see me around, please say hello!
Thank you for the past 3 years!
Thanks
Niseko Kids Park in Arishima Takeo Memorial Museum
Osamu Muraoka (from Hyogo Prefecture)
Assignment / Children's Future Division
"Niseko Kids Park in Arishima Takeo Memorial Museum" ended with great success. There was plenty to enjoy for parents and children, including an exhibition of the picture book "A Bunch of Grapes," air toys, and trampolines, and many smiles were seen. In addition to conveying the thoughts of Takeo Arishima to the next generation, the event also played a major role as a place to support child-rearing in the local area. Thank you to everyone who visited and cooperated.
Overall Activity Report February
event support
Scenic Night 2025 to light up winter nights
The Scenic Night, which illuminates Niseko in winter with candlelight, was held again this year.
At the venue in the Kiranoyu parking lot, the work began with using a chainsaw to carve letters into the snow wall.
Afterwards, many people participated in the work of digging out the snow to create the word "NISEKO." Once completed, the "NISEKO" candles were lit for four days. On the final day, fireworks were launched, and it was a fantastic sight to behold up close, which became a fond memory. (Kizawa Daigo)
Team building in the second half of the year
The instructor was Sawada Kayoko, a former JOCV of Hikobayu LLC, who gave a talk about Niseko's forests while the participants walked on snowshoes. Afterwards, they toured a distillery, experienced fir distillation, made oil spray, and listened to a lecture, and throughout the day they learned a lot about Niseko's nature and how to utilize its forest resources. It was also an opportunity to interact with JOCVs from other locations, and it was a day where everyone was able to experience the charm of Niseko Town. (Takagi Nanami)
FY 2024
We hosted a pep rally and activity report session!
The 25 members of the volunteer team introduced themselves and reported on their activities in the form of a TV commercial, and interacted with government officials, local business owners, and former volunteers, deepening mutual understanding. In a friendly atmosphere, the graduating members were presented with bouquets of flowers, with the hope that they will continue in a better form next year. Thank you to everyone involved and in attendance! (Ito Risa)
smiling square
In this corner,
Introducing various activities and information!
Parenting topics
Yoji Centre
Try the bamboo dance
This year, the older children performed the bamboo dance.
Ten bamboo stalks are moved in time with the piano, and the children cross the path in four beats.
At first, the children had difficulty getting the four beats right and sometimes got their feet caught in the bamboo, but as they continued to practice, all of them were able to jump steadily and confidently.
At the Rhythm Visit Day in March, the children were shown to their fathers and mothers, and the children received a lot of applause from the audience.
Sun
There was a daycare opening
We held a "childcare open day" where pre-school children could experience childcare at Yoji Centre.
The children entered the class with their parents and enjoyed playing in the room and playing in the snow. Some children started playing as soon as they entered the class. Some children could not leave their parents, but they seemed to get used to playing as they continued.
We also heard comments such as, "It was fun to join the class and play together."
"Ohisama" is a place where parents and children can play casually and talk to each other about their worries. (Inside Yoji Centre)
Notice
Why not play with your children at "Ohisama"?
Ohisama is available for children who do not attend Yoji Centre and their guardians. There are plenty of toys available. Parents and children are welcome to play together.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have about child rearing or your child's development.
As the weather gets warmer, why not come and visit us while you're out for a walk?
《Open date and time》
Monday through Friday (excluding public holidays and year-end and New Year holidays)
(There may also be closures due to school events, etc.)
9:00am - 5:00pm (closed from 12:00pm to 3:00pm)
"This is what we do at Ohisama"
★Holding childcare courses
★ Consultation for concerns and concerns regarding child-rearing
★Opening of Ohisama Square
★Temporary childcare
★Holiday childcare
* Providing information on child-rearing
"How to apply"
Registration for Ohisama is required every year. If you would like to use it, please apply at the Support Center.
<Inquiries about this page>
Niseko Town Yoji Center "Kiratto" (Child Care Facility)
TEL.（代表）0136-44-2700 FAX.0136-44-2725
Introducing various activities and information!
Parenting topics
Yoji Centre
Try the bamboo dance
This year, the older children performed the bamboo dance.
Ten bamboo stalks are moved in time with the piano, and the children cross the path in four beats.
At first, the children had difficulty getting the four beats right and sometimes got their feet caught in the bamboo, but as they continued to practice, all of them were able to jump steadily and confidently.
At the Rhythm Visit Day in March, the children were shown to their fathers and mothers, and the children received a lot of applause from the audience.
Sun
There was a daycare opening
We held a "childcare open day" where pre-school children could experience childcare at Yoji Centre.
The children entered the class with their parents and enjoyed playing in the room and playing in the snow. Some children started playing as soon as they entered the class. Some children could not leave their parents, but they seemed to get used to playing as they continued.
We also heard comments such as, "It was fun to join the class and play together."
"Ohisama" is a place where parents and children can play casually and talk to each other about their worries. (Inside Yoji Centre)
Notice
Why not play with your children at "Ohisama"?
Ohisama is available for children who do not attend Yoji Centre and their guardians. There are plenty of toys available. Parents and children are welcome to play together.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have about child rearing or your child's development.
As the weather gets warmer, why not come and visit us while you're out for a walk?
《Open date and time》
Monday through Friday (excluding public holidays and year-end and New Year holidays)
(There may also be closures due to school events, etc.)
9:00am - 5:00pm (closed from 12:00pm to 3:00pm)
"This is what we do at Ohisama"
★Holding childcare courses
★ Consultation for concerns and concerns regarding child-rearing
★Opening of Ohisama Square
★Temporary childcare
★Holiday childcare
* Providing information on child-rearing
"How to apply"
Registration for Ohisama is required every year. If you would like to use it, please apply at the Support Center.
<Inquiries about this page>
Niseko Town Yoji Center "Kiratto" (Child Care Facility)
TEL.（代表）0136-44-2700 FAX.0136-44-2725
Hello! This is Arishima Takeo Memorial Museum vol.40
Curator Kono
Arishima Takeo Memorial Museum
TEL.0136-44-3245
It would be a shame to throw it away!!
Have you ever used a telephone directory, telephone exchange, or directory assistance service 104?
I belong to the "digital native generation" (born between the 1990s and 2000s). When I was born, electronic devices such as computers were already widespread, and smartphones had also started to take hold in Japan by the time I was in elementary school.
In other words, I have never used any of the services mentioned above. If you search on the Internet or register a phone number on your mobile phone, there is no need to use a paper phone book or the 104 directory assistance service. Once you register a frequently used phone number, you can use it with the touch of a button. This is probably why many people no longer remember numbers.
For people who used them in the past, familiar items and services are replaced by new ones due to technological advances, and are forgotten as generations change.
By the way, the paper Town Pages and the 104 directory will be discontinued in March 2026. After this, there will be a generation that will not even know about their existence. Therefore, it is necessary for the generation that knows them to preserve the familiar items so that they can be researched when they want to know about life in the past.
Arishima Takeo Memorial Museum also collects old telephone directories! If you have a telephone directory that you were planning to throw away, please contact Arishima Takeo Memorial Museum. What may seem like a "nothing" to its owner may become a valuable resource that will be hard to come by in the future!
"Public Relations Caribut"
Does anyone have an old issue of "Koho Niseko Newsletter" (from issue 1 onwards)?
"I collect these things"
[Regardless of time]
Public Relations Kaributo, Koho Niseko Newsletter, town handbooks, leaflets and posters of sightseeing and accommodation facilities in Niseko area, souvenirs with store names, farm tools and various daily tools from Meiji period to present, old tractors, items, photos and videos related to the Hakodate Main Line between Nagamanbe and Otaru, photos and videos showing the townscape of Niseko area, etc. Niseko Town Objects in general related to Arishima Takeo Memorial Museum, books and magazines offered at the Book Cafe in general
Arishima Takeo Memorial Museum
TEL.0136-44-3245
It would be a shame to throw it away!!
Have you ever used a telephone directory, telephone exchange, or directory assistance service 104?
I belong to the "digital native generation" (born between the 1990s and 2000s). When I was born, electronic devices such as computers were already widespread, and smartphones had also started to take hold in Japan by the time I was in elementary school.
In other words, I have never used any of the services mentioned above. If you search on the Internet or register a phone number on your mobile phone, there is no need to use a paper phone book or the 104 directory assistance service. Once you register a frequently used phone number, you can use it with the touch of a button. This is probably why many people no longer remember numbers.
For people who used them in the past, familiar items and services are replaced by new ones due to technological advances, and are forgotten as generations change.
By the way, the paper Town Pages and the 104 directory will be discontinued in March 2026. After this, there will be a generation that will not even know about their existence. Therefore, it is necessary for the generation that knows them to preserve the familiar items so that they can be researched when they want to know about life in the past.
Arishima Takeo Memorial Museum also collects old telephone directories! If you have a telephone directory that you were planning to throw away, please contact Arishima Takeo Memorial Museum. What may seem like a "nothing" to its owner may become a valuable resource that will be hard to come by in the future!
"Public Relations Caribut"
Does anyone have an old issue of "Koho Niseko Newsletter" (from issue 1 onwards)?
"I collect these things"
[Regardless of time]
Public Relations Kaributo, Koho Niseko Newsletter, town handbooks, leaflets and posters of sightseeing and accommodation facilities in Niseko area, souvenirs with store names, farm tools and various daily tools from Meiji period to present, old tractors, items, photos and videos related to the Hakodate Main Line between Nagamanbe and Otaru, photos and videos showing the townscape of Niseko area, etc. Niseko Town Objects in general related to Arishima Takeo Memorial Museum, books and magazines offered at the Book Cafe in general
News from Niseko Town
Information of living
Notice
Reiwa 7 Cook Examination
The 2025 Chef Examination will be held as follows.
■ Date/Time: Thursday, August 28th
1:30pm - 4:00pm
■ Test site: Sapporo City (Sapporo will be the test site for those living in the Shiribeshi area)
■Examination fee/Hokkaido income certificate stamp with face value equivalent to 6,900 yen
■Examination subjects and methods: Written examinations on food culture overview, public health, nutrition, food science, food hygiene and cooking theory
■Eligibility to take the exam: Persons as defined in Article 57 of the School Education Act (Act No. 26 of 1947) (including persons deemed to be persons as defined in Article 57 of the School Education Act pursuant to the provisions of Supplementary Provision 3 of the Cooks Act) who have been engaged in cooking work for more than two years by Friday, May 16, 2025 in facilities such as dormitories, schools, and hospitals that prepare and serve food and drink to a large number of people, or in businesses as defined in Article 35, Paragraph 1 (Restaurant Business), Paragraph 4 (Seafood Sales Business), Paragraph 25 (Food-based Dishes Manufacturing Business), and Paragraph 26 (Combined Food-based Dishes Manufacturing Business) of the Enforcement Order of the Food Sanitation Act (Cabinet Order No. 229 of 1953).
Application period: Wednesday, May 7th to Friday, May 16th
■ Documents to be submitted:
・Cooking Examination Application Form 1 copy
・1 copy of the chef examination candidate identification card
・1 copy of chef exam entry notice
■Examination guide (application form) distribution location: In addition to being distributed at each public health center and branch office, it can be downloaded from the Hokkaido website.
■ Where to submit application form/Inquiries/
北海道倶知安保健所企画総務課企画係 TEL 0136-23-1952
北海道倶知安保健所余市地域保健支所 TEL 0135-23-3104
北海道岩内保健所企画総務課企画係 TEL 0135-62-1537
Free distribution of compost made from food waste
In the town, food waste generated from households and other sources is disposed of by composting. Therefore, there is a rule that residents must remove any vinyl or plastic that may be contaminants when composting before disposing of the waste.
In addition, food waste disposal bags are made from a material that dissolves when exposed to humidity and fermentation temperatures.
This time, we have decided to distribute the food waste compost that has been made with everyone's cooperation free of charge, so please use it for gardening and other purposes.
We will also be holding a consultation session at the same venue regarding waste that is difficult to dispose of, so please feel free to take advantage of this as well.
Please note that no garbage will be accepted at the venue.
■Date and time: Tuesday, April 29th, 9:30am - 3:30pm
■ Location: Niseko Town General Waste Final Disposal Site (Toyosato)
■Others: To ensure the safety of visitors, loading by machine is not permitted. We will prepare plenty of compost, but depending on the situation it may run out, so please come early.
■問合せ／町民生活課町民生活係 TEL 0136-44-2121
Pre-arrival call
Before the ambulance arrives, ambulance staff may contact the caller by phone. This is called a "pre-arrival call." As part of an initiative that began in April, ambulance staff will call the caller directly before the ambulance arrives to conduct an interview, allowing the flow of treatment and transportation to move forward immediately after arrival, shortening the time spent at the scene and speeding up medical examinations by a doctor.
Although this is not implemented on all emergency calls, if we can get to the hospital even a minute or a second faster it will help reduce people's anxiety, so please cooperate when requesting an ambulance.
■問合せ／羊蹄山ろく消防組合消防署ニセコ支署救急係 TEL 0136-44-2354
The name will be recorded in the family register
Due to amendments to the Family Register Act, starting May 26, 2025, new furigana readings of names will be required to be entered in family registers. You will receive a notification from Municipal of your registered domicile of residence regarding the furigana readings that will be entered in your family register, so please be sure to check the contents. If there are any errors in the furigana readings, please notify us by May 25, 2026.
You can submit a one-time change to the furigana you have written without obtaining permission from the family court, but if you wish to make any changes thereafter, you will need to obtain permission from the family court and submit a notification. Notifications can be conveniently submitted online (My Number Portal), but they can also be submitted at Municipal office.
The notice will be sent by mail to the head of the family register, but if you have the same family register but a different address, it will be sent to your address. The delivery date will vary depending on Municipal.
If the furigana on the notification is correct, no notification is required.
■Inquiries: Civil Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Justice
町民生活課住民係 TEL 0136-44-2121
Don't forget to get the second measles-rubella vaccination
There is a second round of measles and rubella vaccinations for older children. Eligible children will be notified individually. Don't forget to get vaccinated.
■ Eligible participants: Older children (those aged 5 to 7 years old, from one year before the start of elementary school to the day before the start of elementary school)
■ Number of inoculations / 1 time
■ Designated medical institution: Niseko Clinic (Every Wednesday from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm to 3:45 pm)
■ Where and how to make a reservation: Make a reservation with the Health Promotion Health & Welfare Division town hall at least one week before the desired vaccination date.
Please note that financial assistance will no longer be available after March 31, 2026.
■問合せ／保健福祉課健康づくり係 TEL 0136-44-2121
Attorney Katahira will solve your worries!
●This month's theme
Do you know the Nationality Law?
There are probably many people who think they know how nationality works, but actually don't.
In Japan, if either the father or mother is a Japanese national, the child becomes a Japanese national. This system of linking a child's nationality to the parents' nationality is called "the principle of jus sanguinis," and many European countries have adopted this system.
In contrast, in the United States and Canada, a child acquires the nationality of that country if born there. This system is called "birthright principle."
It may still be fresh in your memory that President Trump issued a presidential decree in January this year stating that if a person was born in the United States and his mother was residing in the United States illegally at the time of his birth and his father was not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, he would not be granted citizenship. Currently, 22 states, the capitals of Washington, D.C., and San Francisco have filed a lawsuit alleging that the presidential decree violates the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, which states that "persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction of the United States are citizens of the United States." The Supreme Court is expected to make some kind of decision in the near future.
Returning to the topic of Japan, I would like to introduce a recent case that became an issue regarding the Nationality Act. Under the Nationality Act, people with multiple nationalities (typically children born to parents in an international marriage) must choose one nationality when they reach adulthood, and if they choose a foreign nationality, they lose their Japanese nationality. This provision was challenged as violating the constitution's right to pursue happiness, but the courts have ruled that it does not violate the Constitution (Tokyo High Court, February 21, 2023).
Park Front Law Office Niseko Office
141 Hondori Niseko Town
TEL 0136-44-3800 FAX.0136-44-3801
You can receive "children's allowance".
The town provides various subsidies to families raising children.
■Child Allowance/Child Allowance is an allowance paid to those who are raising children from birth until the end of high school. When a child is born or when you move to your city from another municipality, you are required to submit a "certification claim form."
■Child-Rearing Allowance/Child-Rearing Allowance helps single-parent families who support children who do not share the same livelihood with their father or mother due to divorce, etc., to help them stabilize their lives and become independent, and to promote the welfare of their children. It is a system to plan.
■Special Child Rearing Allowance/Special Child Rearing Allowance is an allowance paid to parents who are raising children under the age of 20 with physical or mental disabilities.
For more information, please visit the town homepage or contact us.
■Town website:
■問合せ／保健福祉課福祉係 TEL 0136-44-2121
There are various rules to protect the beautiful scenery
In order to protect and nurture the unique landscape of Niseko Town, the town has been implementing the "Niseko Town Landscape Ordinance" since fiscal year 2004.
Furthermore, Niseko Annupuri and the Mt. Moiwa foothills area (parts of Niseko, Soga, and Higashiyama) were designated as quasi-urban planning areas on March 6, 2009, and in addition to these rules, ordinances such as "Specific Use Restriction Areas (restrictions on the use of buildings such as playgrounds and factories)" and "Landscape Districts (restrictions on the height, color, and setback of buildings)" were put into effect in the same area on July 1 of the same year.
In addition to these rules, the Building Standards Act and the Natural Parks Act may require prior consultation with the town and application for confirmation or certification when erecting a structure (general buildings, as well as prefabricated garages and storerooms) or displaying outdoor advertisements.
It may be inconvenient for everyone to no longer be able to freely build on their own land, but to ensure that Niseko Town 's unique landscape is not destroyed by unregulated development, businesses, residents, and everyone involved in the landscape must make an effort to protect it and continue to protect the landscape, which is a regional asset, for the future.
Thanks to these rules that we developed together with everyone, the beautiful scenery of Niseko Town is still being protected. In order to continue to protect the landscape of Niseko Town, please understand this rule.
For more information about the rules, please visit the town's website or contact us.
(Landscape Ordinance)
(quasi-city planning)
(Concerning architecture)
■問合せ／都市建設課都市計画係 TEL 0136-44-2121
Making landscapes of Kira Highway
Kira Kaido is a 730-meter section of the Iwanai Toya Line, the main street in the Hondori area Niseko Town. It was completed in 2002, with stores, houses, street lights, and guide signs arranged in a unified design based on the Streetscape Guidelines, which were created with the input of local residents, with the aim of creating a streetscape that is enjoyable to walk along and where the colors of the four seasons shine.
When building or renovating new buildings on Kira Kaido, prior consultation with the Niseko Kira Kaido Residents Council, which is made up of local residents, is required.
Subsidize the production cost of the projecting signboard
The "protruding signs" installed at each store along Kira Kaido highlight the individuality of the store and create an orderly landscape along Kira Kaido. In order to maintain this landscape, we will provide subsidies to businesses that install new protruding signs.
For more information, please visit the town's website or contact us.
■ Eligible people / People who have an address in the town who run a business in the area of Kirakaido
■Subsidy amount: The cost of producing a protruding sign will be subsidized up to a maximum of 300,000 yen.
■Town website:
■問合せ／都市建設課都市計画係 TEL 0136-44-2121
★Clean the town!
Implementation of spring cleanup strategy
This spring, with the cooperation of everyone, we will be picking up litter mainly along the roads in the town, so please apply if you would like to participate.
■ Date and time: Wednesday, April 23rd, 9:00 a.m. Meet in front of the town hall
*If it rains on the day, the event will be postponed to Friday, April 25th and trash collection will take place along Kira Kaido.
In addition, garbage bags will be distributed when local residents' associations carry out beautification and cleaning activities, such as picking up trash in the area, so please let us know in advance if you need them.
■問合せ／町民生活課町民生活係 TEL 0136-44-2121
Viewing fixed asset tax tax ledger
People who own land or buildings in Niseko Town as of January 1, 2025, can view the fixed asset tax assessment register, which lists the assessed value for the fiscal year 2025.
■ Period: Until Monday, June 2nd
*Excluding Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays
■ Location: City Tax Division Division
■Reception hours/8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.
■ Fee/Free
*After the period has passed, a fee of 300 yen will be charged for each name owned.
■Tax registers that can be viewed are limited to those of the owner.
■Required items when viewing: Please present an ID that can confirm that you are the owner.
■ When viewing by representative:
Please present identification of the person coming to view the materials and a power of attorney with their name and seal.
■問合せ／税務課 TEL 0136-44-2121
Blood donation
A blood donation vehicle will be touring Niseko Town on Tuesday, April 8th. We appreciate your cooperation.
■ Place and time:
・Kiranoyu: 10:30am - 11:45am
・Town Community Center Parking Lot: 1:30pm to 5pm
■問合せ／保健福祉課健康づくり係 TEL 0136-44-2121
Tracking! vol.51
Activities of a town development company!
We look forward to your continued support in the new year!
We have entered a new fiscal year. How is everyone doing? In Niseko Town, the second Niseko Mirai condominium building, Mokure Niseko Building C, was handed over to its residents in March, and new residents are increasing one after another. This year, the third condominium building, Mokure Niseko Building B, and the second rental house, Mokurus Niseko Building B, are scheduled to be built.
As the number of residents increases, I think community activities at Niseko Mirai will become even more active. The annual popular communal field event will start in the spring with soil preparation, and various events will be held throughout the year, from sowing to harvesting. Until now, we have mainly grown edamame to enrich the soil in the field, but this year, I think that more residents will use the field, so it will become even more diverse and lively.
We will also operate a platform called "Urban OS" that will allow residents of Niseko Mirai to access various services for their daily lives and connect with each other. I'm really looking forward to seeing and feeling the process of creating a community in real time, and seeing how the plans we've been working on will function when they are actually implemented in our lives!
We will be taking on many new challenges this year, so please keep supporting us!
■Inquiries: Niseko Town Co., Ltd.
TEL 0136-55-6087
Email:info@nisekomachi.co.jp
Last year's soybean planting event
Contract Results
The contract results are posted on Niseko Town official website.
Change of contact information for Sapporo Regional Meteorological Observatory
Starting Tuesday, March 25, 2025, the telephone number for weather inquiries at the Sapporo Regional Meteorological Observatory has changed as follows:
■問合せ電話番号／（自動音声案内） TEL 011-676-5025
Event
Spring Bazaar
Hokkaido International School Niseko will be holding its annual Spring Bazaar, selling second-hand ski wear, books, toys and more.
Coffee and baked goods will also be available for sale. All proceeds will be donated to the PTA fund that supports children's learning. Everyone in the community is welcome!
■ Date and time: Saturday, April 26th, 9:30am-12:00pm
■Location and Inquiries/Hokkaido International School, Niseko Campus
TEL 0136-55-5252
Note
Beware of flying yellow sand!
Yellow sand is a phenomenon in which sand and dust picked up by strong winds in the desert regions of East Asia and other areas is carried by the wind in the sky, floating over a wide area and then falling to the ground. The peak period for yellow sand is from March to May.
From April 11 to 14, 2023, yellow sand was observed in various parts of Hokkaido, with visibility of less than 10 km over a wide area. The arrival of yellow sand has had an impact on laundry and cars, such as soiling them, and some people have reported health hazards, such as allergies and respiratory diseases.
Wearing a mask is an effective way to prevent inhaling yellow sand particles. In addition, the Ministry of the Environment and the Japan Meteorological Agency have jointly established a website called "Yellow Sand Information Website," where you can check the current status of yellow sand observations and future forecasts in detail, so please make use of it.
■ Yellow sand information page／
■問合せ／札幌管区気象台 TEL 011-676-5025（自動音声案内）
Recruitment
Recruiting Go Club Members
Anyone can participate, including those who want to try their hand at Go for the first time, those who want to enjoy a match, and those who just want to watch.
■Activity Date and Time: Every Saturday from 1pm to 4pm
■ Location: Shirakaba Japanese-style Room, 2nd floor of the Community Center
■問合せ／囲碁同好会 TEL 0136-44-2407
YOSAKOI Soran Festival
Citizen judges wanted
The judging criteria is the impression felt by the performers, so no special skills or knowledge are required.
Date and time: Saturday, June 7th, 9:30am - 7pm
3-4 hours between 9:30am and 9pm on the 8th (Sun)
■ Location: Around Odori Park, Chuo Ward, Sapporo
■Activities/Examination of performances at the YOSAKOI Soran Festival
■Capacity: about 180 people (lottery)
■ Application deadline: April 1st (Tue) to April 25th (Fri)
*Please apply via our website, fax, or mail.
*Application forms are available on the website.
■YOSAKOI Soran Festival Homepage／
■問合せ／YOSAKOIソーラン祭り実行委員会 TEL 011-231-4351
International Exchange News vol.24
Valentine's Day sweets making (fondant au chocolat)
On February 11th, we held a special Valentine's Day sweets making class.
The participants made fondant au chocolat together with Anna, a Belgian Coordinator for International Relations. The recipe looked simple, but it was surprisingly difficult to make the cake with a thick texture. Nevertheless, everyone, from children to adults, was able to create beautiful cakes.
While making the cake, we talked about how Valentine's Day is celebrated around the world. Did you know that Valentine's Day is not celebrated much in Indonesia? The reason is that there are many Muslims in Indonesia and Valentine's Day is a holiday that originates from Christianity. Also, in Belgium, it is mainly women who receive gifts from men. Gifts are not only chocolates, but also bouquets of flowers and romantic dinners.
We hope that through this fondant au chocolat you can convey your feelings to your loved ones and make them feel happy.
〈TEL〉 0136-44-2121
〈EMAIL〉 kokusai@town.niseko.lg.jp
Notice of Recruitment of Self-Defense Forces
●General Sergeant Candidate (1st)
・Eligibility for taking the exam: 18 years old or older but under 33 years old as of the 1st day of the scheduled hiring month
・Application period: March 1st (Saturday) to May 7th (Wednesday)
First exam date: May 17th (Saturday) to May 25th (Sunday)
・You will be notified of the second exam date/first exam pass notification.
Exam dates are subject to change, so please contact us for more information.
■問合せ／自衛隊札幌地方協力本部倶知安地域事務所 TEL 0136-23-3540
または自衛官募集相談員 TEL 0136-44-2177
Recruiting Niseko Town Junior Firefighting Club members for FY2025
Niseko Fire Department is recruiting Niseko Town Boy Fire Club members for 5th and 6th grade elementary school students with the aim of acquiring knowledge and skills related to fire prevention and disaster prevention from an early age.
Activities include learning how to call 119 and perform CPR, as well as experiencing firefighting and riding in a fire engine, and visiting facilities such as the command center. Study sessions are scheduled to be held once a month, seven times a year.
We look forward to your participation.
■ Application requirements/
Age group: 5th and 6th grade students attending elementary schools in the town
・Application period: April 1st (Tuesday) to April 30th (Wednesday)
・Required documents: Niseko Town Junior Firefighting Club Membership Application Form
*Application forms can be downloaded from the announcements page on the Niseko Fire Department or Yotei Sanroku Fire Department Association website.
■申込み・問合せ／羊蹄山ろく消防組合消防署ニセコ支署 TEL 0136-44-2354
There is a vacant room in the municipal housing
Type Apartment name Format Structure Rent guideline Minimum to maximum Parking space
・Public housing (for families) Chuo Danchi Building 6, Room 304, 3LDK (67.25 sqm), built in 1990, fireproof mid-rise, 12,600 yen to 41,000 yen (varies depending on income, etc.) Available
・Public housing (for families) Arishima Danchi Building 4, Room 103 1LDK (34.35 sqm) Built in 1969 Simple fireproof single-story house 5,000 yen to 16,100 yen (varies depending on income, etc.) None
●Application period: April 1st (Tue) to April 15th (Tue)
●Eligibility and application method/Please inquire for details.
■問合せ／都市建設課住宅管理係 TEL 0136-44-2121
Radio Niseko News vol.13
"Radio Niseko welcomes the new fiscal year"
Radio Niseko began broadcasting on March 31, 2012, and is now in its 14th year. This is all thanks to the support of our listeners, including the townspeople. We will continue to deliver better broadcasts, never forgetting our gratitude. Please look forward to Radio Niseko's broadcasts from April!
Morning live broadcast: Start your day with weather and traffic information
"Niseko Morning" Every Monday to Friday
7:00AM - 10:00AM
Personality / Monday, Thursday, Friday: Hiroyuki Miyagawa,
Tuesday: Nakabachi Yuzuki, Wednesday: Kobayashi Mana
<Live daytime broadcasts - various information variety shows>
"Niseko Amusic Lounge" Every Monday to Friday from 12pm to 2pm
Personality: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: Nakabachi Yuzuki, Tuesday, Friday: Kobayashi Mana
{Evening live broadcast ~ a program featuring various people}
"Kira Kira Niseko" Every Monday to Friday
3:00pm - 5:00pm (rerun 6:00pm - 8:00pm)
Personality / Monday, Tuesday, Friday: Yuzuki Nakabachi,
Wednesday and Thursday: Mana Kobayashi
"Weekend Night Live Broadcast ~ Yuzuki Time"
"Radio Posible" Every Friday from 8pm to 9pm
Personality/Yuzuki Nakabachi
{Saturday Morning Live Broadcast ~ Start your day off right on Saturday morning}
"Niseko Breeze" Every Saturday from 7:00am to 10:00am
Personality: Hiroyuki Miyagawa, Live broadcast: Mana Kobayashi
"Saturday afternoon live broadcast ~ A program centered on your requests"
"Niseko Radio Cafe" Every Saturday from 12pm to 2pm
Personalities: Hiroyuki Miyagawa, Mana Kobayashi
Last year, Radio Niseko had over 300 guests appear on the show, and we had many encounters. We hope to meet even more people this year.
Radio Niseko will continue to be a radio show that is not just for listening, but also for participating. Thank you for your continued support.
■問合せ／ラジオニセコ内 TEL 0136-55-5762
Email:niseko762@radioniseko.jp
clean station
How to keep a dog: "Rules and manners" Don't let your dog loose!
Leaving dogs loose is prohibited by Niseko Town Dog Control and Stray Dog Sweeping Law.
It is prohibited by ordinances and other regulations.
Information about dogs being left loose will be sent to city halls and police. Even dogs that are usually well-behaved may suddenly behave in an unexpected way. Please be careful when keeping your dog so that it is never left loose. Even if there is no one around, it is not okay to let your dog run loose in the early morning or at night. When walking your dog, make sure to keep it on a leash and do not stray too far from its owner.
Dog droppings while walking...
When taking your dog for a walk, be sure to take a plastic bag with you and pick up any droppings. It is also good manners to not let your dog urinate in front of your house.
When keeping an animal, follow the rules and observe etiquette, and treat it responsibly as a member of the family.
■問合せ／町民生活課町民生活係 TEL 0136-44-2121
heart gift
We received your donation. thanks for the goodwill
《Niseko Town Social Welfare Council Reception》
"As a thank you for the care given to my husband during his lifetime" Hondori 4, Hinoura Akiko
"As a thank you for the care given to my mother during her lifetime" Hondori 2, Mika Aoba
Consumer affairs consultation memo
Is "no fixed term contract" reassuring?
Be careful with subscriptions
Many inquiries about "regular purchases" through mail order sales have been received at consultation centers across the country. Although various media have been issuing warnings about the issue for several years, the inquiries continue to come in.
In particular, we have recently received many inquiries from customers who saw advertisements with "no regular contract" or "no limit on number of purchases" and placed an order thinking it was a one-time order, only to find that it was actually a "regular purchase" contract. "No regular contract" may be a "contract with no minimum purchase count (regular purchase that can be canceled at any time)," so care must be taken when signing a contract. What can be done to avoid problems with regular purchases?
When ordering online, always check the "final confirmation screen (the screen listing the terms of the contract)" carefully to see if the product requires a regular purchase, if there is a minimum number of purchases, and the sales conditions such as the price for the second purchase and onwards, as well as the cancellation conditions. After checking, save the "final confirmation screen" as a screenshot, etc.
If you are worried or don't know what to do, please consult a consultation center or your local government office.
■問合せ／ようてい地域消費生活相談窓口 TEL 0136-44-1600
Town Crime Book Niseko Crime Prevention Association
A case
-On February 12th, there was an incident at a ski resort where a skier collided with another skier and was injured.
-On February 21st, an extortion incident occurred against a skier at a ski resort.
Traffic accident
-On February 11th, a head-on traffic accident occurred involving injuries.
倶知安警察署／TEL 0136-22-0110
hello mayor
Sleeping municipalities and pioneering municipalities
The terms "dozing municipalities" and "pioneering municipalities" were once popular among local government officials and researchers studying finance. Even though residents pay the same taxes, there is a huge disparity in the way people live in towns, including welfare, education, and public facilities. It was said that this disparity was so large that nothing had been done for 20 years. Dozing municipalities are characterized by their lack of knowledge of how to utilize financial adjustment funds and favorable bond issuance (debt), and are carefree in trying to run their municipalities within the scope of local taxes and local allocation taxes. The gap between pioneering municipalities that are working hard to make their towns livable and dozing municipalities that are trying to get by safely is widening throughout the country. Our town will continue to maintain financial soundness while actively working on town development.
Niseko Town Kenya Katayama
Reiwa 7 Cook Examination
The 2025 Chef Examination will be held as follows.
■ Date/Time: Thursday, August 28th
1:30pm - 4:00pm
■ Test site: Sapporo City (Sapporo will be the test site for those living in the Shiribeshi area)
■Examination fee/Hokkaido income certificate stamp with face value equivalent to 6,900 yen
■Examination subjects and methods: Written examinations on food culture overview, public health, nutrition, food science, food hygiene and cooking theory
■Eligibility to take the exam: Persons as defined in Article 57 of the School Education Act (Act No. 26 of 1947) (including persons deemed to be persons as defined in Article 57 of the School Education Act pursuant to the provisions of Supplementary Provision 3 of the Cooks Act) who have been engaged in cooking work for more than two years by Friday, May 16, 2025 in facilities such as dormitories, schools, and hospitals that prepare and serve food and drink to a large number of people, or in businesses as defined in Article 35, Paragraph 1 (Restaurant Business), Paragraph 4 (Seafood Sales Business), Paragraph 25 (Food-based Dishes Manufacturing Business), and Paragraph 26 (Combined Food-based Dishes Manufacturing Business) of the Enforcement Order of the Food Sanitation Act (Cabinet Order No. 229 of 1953).
Application period: Wednesday, May 7th to Friday, May 16th
■ Documents to be submitted:
・Cooking Examination Application Form 1 copy
・1 copy of the chef examination candidate identification card
・1 copy of chef exam entry notice
■Examination guide (application form) distribution location: In addition to being distributed at each public health center and branch office, it can be downloaded from the Hokkaido website.
■ Where to submit application form/Inquiries/
北海道倶知安保健所企画総務課企画係 TEL 0136-23-1952
北海道倶知安保健所余市地域保健支所 TEL 0135-23-3104
北海道岩内保健所企画総務課企画係 TEL 0135-62-1537
Free distribution of compost made from food waste
In the town, food waste generated from households and other sources is disposed of by composting. Therefore, there is a rule that residents must remove any vinyl or plastic that may be contaminants when composting before disposing of the waste.
In addition, food waste disposal bags are made from a material that dissolves when exposed to humidity and fermentation temperatures.
This time, we have decided to distribute the food waste compost that has been made with everyone's cooperation free of charge, so please use it for gardening and other purposes.
We will also be holding a consultation session at the same venue regarding waste that is difficult to dispose of, so please feel free to take advantage of this as well.
Please note that no garbage will be accepted at the venue.
■Date and time: Tuesday, April 29th, 9:30am - 3:30pm
■ Location: Niseko Town General Waste Final Disposal Site (Toyosato)
■Others: To ensure the safety of visitors, loading by machine is not permitted. We will prepare plenty of compost, but depending on the situation it may run out, so please come early.
■問合せ／町民生活課町民生活係 TEL 0136-44-2121
Pre-arrival call
Before the ambulance arrives, ambulance staff may contact the caller by phone. This is called a "pre-arrival call." As part of an initiative that began in April, ambulance staff will call the caller directly before the ambulance arrives to conduct an interview, allowing the flow of treatment and transportation to move forward immediately after arrival, shortening the time spent at the scene and speeding up medical examinations by a doctor.
Although this is not implemented on all emergency calls, if we can get to the hospital even a minute or a second faster it will help reduce people's anxiety, so please cooperate when requesting an ambulance.
■問合せ／羊蹄山ろく消防組合消防署ニセコ支署救急係 TEL 0136-44-2354
The name will be recorded in the family register
Due to amendments to the Family Register Act, starting May 26, 2025, new furigana readings of names will be required to be entered in family registers. You will receive a notification from Municipal of your registered domicile of residence regarding the furigana readings that will be entered in your family register, so please be sure to check the contents. If there are any errors in the furigana readings, please notify us by May 25, 2026.
You can submit a one-time change to the furigana you have written without obtaining permission from the family court, but if you wish to make any changes thereafter, you will need to obtain permission from the family court and submit a notification. Notifications can be conveniently submitted online (My Number Portal), but they can also be submitted at Municipal office.
The notice will be sent by mail to the head of the family register, but if you have the same family register but a different address, it will be sent to your address. The delivery date will vary depending on Municipal.
If the furigana on the notification is correct, no notification is required.
■Inquiries: Civil Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Justice
町民生活課住民係 TEL 0136-44-2121
Don't forget to get the second measles-rubella vaccination
There is a second round of measles and rubella vaccinations for older children. Eligible children will be notified individually. Don't forget to get vaccinated.
■ Eligible participants: Older children (those aged 5 to 7 years old, from one year before the start of elementary school to the day before the start of elementary school)
■ Number of inoculations / 1 time
■ Designated medical institution: Niseko Clinic (Every Wednesday from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm to 3:45 pm)
■ Where and how to make a reservation: Make a reservation with the Health Promotion Health & Welfare Division town hall at least one week before the desired vaccination date.
Please note that financial assistance will no longer be available after March 31, 2026.
■問合せ／保健福祉課健康づくり係 TEL 0136-44-2121
Attorney Katahira will solve your worries!
●This month's theme
Do you know the Nationality Law?
There are probably many people who think they know how nationality works, but actually don't.
In Japan, if either the father or mother is a Japanese national, the child becomes a Japanese national. This system of linking a child's nationality to the parents' nationality is called "the principle of jus sanguinis," and many European countries have adopted this system.
In contrast, in the United States and Canada, a child acquires the nationality of that country if born there. This system is called "birthright principle."
It may still be fresh in your memory that President Trump issued a presidential decree in January this year stating that if a person was born in the United States and his mother was residing in the United States illegally at the time of his birth and his father was not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, he would not be granted citizenship. Currently, 22 states, the capitals of Washington, D.C., and San Francisco have filed a lawsuit alleging that the presidential decree violates the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, which states that "persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction of the United States are citizens of the United States." The Supreme Court is expected to make some kind of decision in the near future.
Returning to the topic of Japan, I would like to introduce a recent case that became an issue regarding the Nationality Act. Under the Nationality Act, people with multiple nationalities (typically children born to parents in an international marriage) must choose one nationality when they reach adulthood, and if they choose a foreign nationality, they lose their Japanese nationality. This provision was challenged as violating the constitution's right to pursue happiness, but the courts have ruled that it does not violate the Constitution (Tokyo High Court, February 21, 2023).
Park Front Law Office Niseko Office
141 Hondori Niseko Town
TEL 0136-44-3800 FAX.0136-44-3801
You can receive "children's allowance".
The town provides various subsidies to families raising children.
■Child Allowance/Child Allowance is an allowance paid to those who are raising children from birth until the end of high school. When a child is born or when you move to your city from another municipality, you are required to submit a "certification claim form."
■Child-Rearing Allowance/Child-Rearing Allowance helps single-parent families who support children who do not share the same livelihood with their father or mother due to divorce, etc., to help them stabilize their lives and become independent, and to promote the welfare of their children. It is a system to plan.
■Special Child Rearing Allowance/Special Child Rearing Allowance is an allowance paid to parents who are raising children under the age of 20 with physical or mental disabilities.
For more information, please visit the town homepage or contact us.
■Town website:
■問合せ／保健福祉課福祉係 TEL 0136-44-2121
There are various rules to protect the beautiful scenery
In order to protect and nurture the unique landscape of Niseko Town, the town has been implementing the "Niseko Town Landscape Ordinance" since fiscal year 2004.
Furthermore, Niseko Annupuri and the Mt. Moiwa foothills area (parts of Niseko, Soga, and Higashiyama) were designated as quasi-urban planning areas on March 6, 2009, and in addition to these rules, ordinances such as "Specific Use Restriction Areas (restrictions on the use of buildings such as playgrounds and factories)" and "Landscape Districts (restrictions on the height, color, and setback of buildings)" were put into effect in the same area on July 1 of the same year.
In addition to these rules, the Building Standards Act and the Natural Parks Act may require prior consultation with the town and application for confirmation or certification when erecting a structure (general buildings, as well as prefabricated garages and storerooms) or displaying outdoor advertisements.
It may be inconvenient for everyone to no longer be able to freely build on their own land, but to ensure that Niseko Town 's unique landscape is not destroyed by unregulated development, businesses, residents, and everyone involved in the landscape must make an effort to protect it and continue to protect the landscape, which is a regional asset, for the future.
Thanks to these rules that we developed together with everyone, the beautiful scenery of Niseko Town is still being protected. In order to continue to protect the landscape of Niseko Town, please understand this rule.
For more information about the rules, please visit the town's website or contact us.
(Landscape Ordinance)
(quasi-city planning)
(Concerning architecture)
■問合せ／都市建設課都市計画係 TEL 0136-44-2121
Making landscapes of Kira Highway
Kira Kaido is a 730-meter section of the Iwanai Toya Line, the main street in the Hondori area Niseko Town. It was completed in 2002, with stores, houses, street lights, and guide signs arranged in a unified design based on the Streetscape Guidelines, which were created with the input of local residents, with the aim of creating a streetscape that is enjoyable to walk along and where the colors of the four seasons shine.
When building or renovating new buildings on Kira Kaido, prior consultation with the Niseko Kira Kaido Residents Council, which is made up of local residents, is required.
Subsidize the production cost of the projecting signboard
The "protruding signs" installed at each store along Kira Kaido highlight the individuality of the store and create an orderly landscape along Kira Kaido. In order to maintain this landscape, we will provide subsidies to businesses that install new protruding signs.
For more information, please visit the town's website or contact us.
■ Eligible people / People who have an address in the town who run a business in the area of Kirakaido
■Subsidy amount: The cost of producing a protruding sign will be subsidized up to a maximum of 300,000 yen.
■Town website:
■問合せ／都市建設課都市計画係 TEL 0136-44-2121
★Clean the town!
Implementation of spring cleanup strategy
This spring, with the cooperation of everyone, we will be picking up litter mainly along the roads in the town, so please apply if you would like to participate.
■ Date and time: Wednesday, April 23rd, 9:00 a.m. Meet in front of the town hall
*If it rains on the day, the event will be postponed to Friday, April 25th and trash collection will take place along Kira Kaido.
In addition, garbage bags will be distributed when local residents' associations carry out beautification and cleaning activities, such as picking up trash in the area, so please let us know in advance if you need them.
■問合せ／町民生活課町民生活係 TEL 0136-44-2121
Viewing fixed asset tax tax ledger
People who own land or buildings in Niseko Town as of January 1, 2025, can view the fixed asset tax assessment register, which lists the assessed value for the fiscal year 2025.
■ Period: Until Monday, June 2nd
*Excluding Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays
■ Location: City Tax Division Division
■Reception hours/8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.
■ Fee/Free
*After the period has passed, a fee of 300 yen will be charged for each name owned.
■Tax registers that can be viewed are limited to those of the owner.
■Required items when viewing: Please present an ID that can confirm that you are the owner.
■ When viewing by representative:
Please present identification of the person coming to view the materials and a power of attorney with their name and seal.
■問合せ／税務課 TEL 0136-44-2121
Blood donation
A blood donation vehicle will be touring Niseko Town on Tuesday, April 8th. We appreciate your cooperation.
■ Place and time:
・Kiranoyu: 10:30am - 11:45am
・Town Community Center Parking Lot: 1:30pm to 5pm
■問合せ／保健福祉課健康づくり係 TEL 0136-44-2121
Tracking! vol.51
Activities of a town development company!
We look forward to your continued support in the new year!
We have entered a new fiscal year. How is everyone doing? In Niseko Town, the second Niseko Mirai condominium building, Mokure Niseko Building C, was handed over to its residents in March, and new residents are increasing one after another. This year, the third condominium building, Mokure Niseko Building B, and the second rental house, Mokurus Niseko Building B, are scheduled to be built.
As the number of residents increases, I think community activities at Niseko Mirai will become even more active. The annual popular communal field event will start in the spring with soil preparation, and various events will be held throughout the year, from sowing to harvesting. Until now, we have mainly grown edamame to enrich the soil in the field, but this year, I think that more residents will use the field, so it will become even more diverse and lively.
We will also operate a platform called "Urban OS" that will allow residents of Niseko Mirai to access various services for their daily lives and connect with each other. I'm really looking forward to seeing and feeling the process of creating a community in real time, and seeing how the plans we've been working on will function when they are actually implemented in our lives!
We will be taking on many new challenges this year, so please keep supporting us!
■Inquiries: Niseko Town Co., Ltd.
TEL 0136-55-6087
Email:info@nisekomachi.co.jp
Last year's soybean planting event
Contract Results
The contract results are posted on Niseko Town official website.
Change of contact information for Sapporo Regional Meteorological Observatory
Starting Tuesday, March 25, 2025, the telephone number for weather inquiries at the Sapporo Regional Meteorological Observatory has changed as follows:
■問合せ電話番号／（自動音声案内） TEL 011-676-5025
Event
Spring Bazaar
Hokkaido International School Niseko will be holding its annual Spring Bazaar, selling second-hand ski wear, books, toys and more.
Coffee and baked goods will also be available for sale. All proceeds will be donated to the PTA fund that supports children's learning. Everyone in the community is welcome!
■ Date and time: Saturday, April 26th, 9:30am-12:00pm
■Location and Inquiries/Hokkaido International School, Niseko Campus
TEL 0136-55-5252
Note
Beware of flying yellow sand!
Yellow sand is a phenomenon in which sand and dust picked up by strong winds in the desert regions of East Asia and other areas is carried by the wind in the sky, floating over a wide area and then falling to the ground. The peak period for yellow sand is from March to May.
From April 11 to 14, 2023, yellow sand was observed in various parts of Hokkaido, with visibility of less than 10 km over a wide area. The arrival of yellow sand has had an impact on laundry and cars, such as soiling them, and some people have reported health hazards, such as allergies and respiratory diseases.
Wearing a mask is an effective way to prevent inhaling yellow sand particles. In addition, the Ministry of the Environment and the Japan Meteorological Agency have jointly established a website called "Yellow Sand Information Website," where you can check the current status of yellow sand observations and future forecasts in detail, so please make use of it.
■ Yellow sand information page／
■問合せ／札幌管区気象台 TEL 011-676-5025（自動音声案内）
Recruitment
Recruiting Go Club Members
Anyone can participate, including those who want to try their hand at Go for the first time, those who want to enjoy a match, and those who just want to watch.
■Activity Date and Time: Every Saturday from 1pm to 4pm
■ Location: Shirakaba Japanese-style Room, 2nd floor of the Community Center
■問合せ／囲碁同好会 TEL 0136-44-2407
YOSAKOI Soran Festival
Citizen judges wanted
The judging criteria is the impression felt by the performers, so no special skills or knowledge are required.
Date and time: Saturday, June 7th, 9:30am - 7pm
3-4 hours between 9:30am and 9pm on the 8th (Sun)
■ Location: Around Odori Park, Chuo Ward, Sapporo
■Activities/Examination of performances at the YOSAKOI Soran Festival
■Capacity: about 180 people (lottery)
■ Application deadline: April 1st (Tue) to April 25th (Fri)
*Please apply via our website, fax, or mail.
*Application forms are available on the website.
■YOSAKOI Soran Festival Homepage／
■問合せ／YOSAKOIソーラン祭り実行委員会 TEL 011-231-4351
International Exchange News vol.24
Valentine's Day sweets making (fondant au chocolat)
On February 11th, we held a special Valentine's Day sweets making class.
The participants made fondant au chocolat together with Anna, a Belgian Coordinator for International Relations. The recipe looked simple, but it was surprisingly difficult to make the cake with a thick texture. Nevertheless, everyone, from children to adults, was able to create beautiful cakes.
While making the cake, we talked about how Valentine's Day is celebrated around the world. Did you know that Valentine's Day is not celebrated much in Indonesia? The reason is that there are many Muslims in Indonesia and Valentine's Day is a holiday that originates from Christianity. Also, in Belgium, it is mainly women who receive gifts from men. Gifts are not only chocolates, but also bouquets of flowers and romantic dinners.
We hope that through this fondant au chocolat you can convey your feelings to your loved ones and make them feel happy.
〈TEL〉 0136-44-2121
〈EMAIL〉 kokusai@town.niseko.lg.jp
Notice of Recruitment of Self-Defense Forces
●General Sergeant Candidate (1st)
・Eligibility for taking the exam: 18 years old or older but under 33 years old as of the 1st day of the scheduled hiring month
・Application period: March 1st (Saturday) to May 7th (Wednesday)
First exam date: May 17th (Saturday) to May 25th (Sunday)
・You will be notified of the second exam date/first exam pass notification.
Exam dates are subject to change, so please contact us for more information.
■問合せ／自衛隊札幌地方協力本部倶知安地域事務所 TEL 0136-23-3540
または自衛官募集相談員 TEL 0136-44-2177
Recruiting Niseko Town Junior Firefighting Club members for FY2025
Niseko Fire Department is recruiting Niseko Town Boy Fire Club members for 5th and 6th grade elementary school students with the aim of acquiring knowledge and skills related to fire prevention and disaster prevention from an early age.
Activities include learning how to call 119 and perform CPR, as well as experiencing firefighting and riding in a fire engine, and visiting facilities such as the command center. Study sessions are scheduled to be held once a month, seven times a year.
We look forward to your participation.
■ Application requirements/
Age group: 5th and 6th grade students attending elementary schools in the town
・Application period: April 1st (Tuesday) to April 30th (Wednesday)
・Required documents: Niseko Town Junior Firefighting Club Membership Application Form
*Application forms can be downloaded from the announcements page on the Niseko Fire Department or Yotei Sanroku Fire Department Association website.
■申込み・問合せ／羊蹄山ろく消防組合消防署ニセコ支署 TEL 0136-44-2354
There is a vacant room in the municipal housing
Type Apartment name Format Structure Rent guideline Minimum to maximum Parking space
・Public housing (for families) Chuo Danchi Building 6, Room 304, 3LDK (67.25 sqm), built in 1990, fireproof mid-rise, 12,600 yen to 41,000 yen (varies depending on income, etc.) Available
・Public housing (for families) Arishima Danchi Building 4, Room 103 1LDK (34.35 sqm) Built in 1969 Simple fireproof single-story house 5,000 yen to 16,100 yen (varies depending on income, etc.) None
●Application period: April 1st (Tue) to April 15th (Tue)
●Eligibility and application method/Please inquire for details.
■問合せ／都市建設課住宅管理係 TEL 0136-44-2121
Radio Niseko News vol.13
"Radio Niseko welcomes the new fiscal year"
Radio Niseko began broadcasting on March 31, 2012, and is now in its 14th year. This is all thanks to the support of our listeners, including the townspeople. We will continue to deliver better broadcasts, never forgetting our gratitude. Please look forward to Radio Niseko's broadcasts from April!
Morning live broadcast: Start your day with weather and traffic information
"Niseko Morning" Every Monday to Friday
7:00AM - 10:00AM
Personality / Monday, Thursday, Friday: Hiroyuki Miyagawa,
Tuesday: Nakabachi Yuzuki, Wednesday: Kobayashi Mana
<Live daytime broadcasts - various information variety shows>
"Niseko Amusic Lounge" Every Monday to Friday from 12pm to 2pm
Personality: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: Nakabachi Yuzuki, Tuesday, Friday: Kobayashi Mana
{Evening live broadcast ~ a program featuring various people}
"Kira Kira Niseko" Every Monday to Friday
3:00pm - 5:00pm (rerun 6:00pm - 8:00pm)
Personality / Monday, Tuesday, Friday: Yuzuki Nakabachi,
Wednesday and Thursday: Mana Kobayashi
"Weekend Night Live Broadcast ~ Yuzuki Time"
"Radio Posible" Every Friday from 8pm to 9pm
Personality/Yuzuki Nakabachi
{Saturday Morning Live Broadcast ~ Start your day off right on Saturday morning}
"Niseko Breeze" Every Saturday from 7:00am to 10:00am
Personality: Hiroyuki Miyagawa, Live broadcast: Mana Kobayashi
"Saturday afternoon live broadcast ~ A program centered on your requests"
"Niseko Radio Cafe" Every Saturday from 12pm to 2pm
Personalities: Hiroyuki Miyagawa, Mana Kobayashi
Last year, Radio Niseko had over 300 guests appear on the show, and we had many encounters. We hope to meet even more people this year.
Radio Niseko will continue to be a radio show that is not just for listening, but also for participating. Thank you for your continued support.
■問合せ／ラジオニセコ内 TEL 0136-55-5762
Email:niseko762@radioniseko.jp
clean station
How to keep a dog: "Rules and manners" Don't let your dog loose!
Leaving dogs loose is prohibited by Niseko Town Dog Control and Stray Dog Sweeping Law.
It is prohibited by ordinances and other regulations.
Information about dogs being left loose will be sent to city halls and police. Even dogs that are usually well-behaved may suddenly behave in an unexpected way. Please be careful when keeping your dog so that it is never left loose. Even if there is no one around, it is not okay to let your dog run loose in the early morning or at night. When walking your dog, make sure to keep it on a leash and do not stray too far from its owner.
Dog droppings while walking...
When taking your dog for a walk, be sure to take a plastic bag with you and pick up any droppings. It is also good manners to not let your dog urinate in front of your house.
When keeping an animal, follow the rules and observe etiquette, and treat it responsibly as a member of the family.
■問合せ／町民生活課町民生活係 TEL 0136-44-2121
heart gift
We received your donation. thanks for the goodwill
《Niseko Town Social Welfare Council Reception》
"As a thank you for the care given to my husband during his lifetime" Hondori 4, Hinoura Akiko
"As a thank you for the care given to my mother during her lifetime" Hondori 2, Mika Aoba
Consumer affairs consultation memo
Is "no fixed term contract" reassuring?
Be careful with subscriptions
Many inquiries about "regular purchases" through mail order sales have been received at consultation centers across the country. Although various media have been issuing warnings about the issue for several years, the inquiries continue to come in.
In particular, we have recently received many inquiries from customers who saw advertisements with "no regular contract" or "no limit on number of purchases" and placed an order thinking it was a one-time order, only to find that it was actually a "regular purchase" contract. "No regular contract" may be a "contract with no minimum purchase count (regular purchase that can be canceled at any time)," so care must be taken when signing a contract. What can be done to avoid problems with regular purchases?
When ordering online, always check the "final confirmation screen (the screen listing the terms of the contract)" carefully to see if the product requires a regular purchase, if there is a minimum number of purchases, and the sales conditions such as the price for the second purchase and onwards, as well as the cancellation conditions. After checking, save the "final confirmation screen" as a screenshot, etc.
If you are worried or don't know what to do, please consult a consultation center or your local government office.
■問合せ／ようてい地域消費生活相談窓口 TEL 0136-44-1600
Town Crime Book Niseko Crime Prevention Association
A case
-On February 12th, there was an incident at a ski resort where a skier collided with another skier and was injured.
-On February 21st, an extortion incident occurred against a skier at a ski resort.
Traffic accident
-On February 11th, a head-on traffic accident occurred involving injuries.
倶知安警察署／TEL 0136-22-0110
hello mayor
Sleeping municipalities and pioneering municipalities
The terms "dozing municipalities" and "pioneering municipalities" were once popular among local government officials and researchers studying finance. Even though residents pay the same taxes, there is a huge disparity in the way people live in towns, including welfare, education, and public facilities. It was said that this disparity was so large that nothing had been done for 20 years. Dozing municipalities are characterized by their lack of knowledge of how to utilize financial adjustment funds and favorable bond issuance (debt), and are carefree in trying to run their municipalities within the scope of local taxes and local allocation taxes. The gap between pioneering municipalities that are working hard to make their towns livable and dozing municipalities that are trying to get by safely is widening throughout the country. Our town will continue to maintain financial soundness while actively working on town development.
Niseko Town Kenya Katayama
Town Calendar 4APRIL
Upper right box article
in April
Traffic safety campaign during the new school entrance (kindergarten) period in spring
April 6th (Sun) - 15th (Tue)
○ Ensure the safety of pedestrians, including children and the elderly
○Let's eradicate drunken driving
○ Comply with traffic rules even for bicycles
*Please note that the event may be canceled depending on the circumstances.
bottom right box article
Night and holiday emergency and emergency response
倶倶知安厚生病院 電話0136-22-1141
How to read the calendar
Yaku = Town Hall Town = Community Center
Luck = Sports Park
A=Playbook
Kindergarten = Yoji Centre
Body = General Gymnasium
Ari = Arishima Takeo Memorial Museum
O=Online
Ko = Children's Center
Warehouse = Central Warehouse Group
6th (Sun)
7th (Monday)
●Niseko Elementary School Entrance Ceremony/Niseko Elementary School: 10:00~
Kondo Elementary School Entrance Ceremony/Kondo Elementary School: 10:00~
Playbook closed day
Tuesday 8th
● Niseko Junior High School Entrance Ceremony / Niseko Junior High School: 9:30~
●Blood donation/Kiranoyu: 10:30-11:45, Town: 13:30-17:00
Central warehouse group closed days
9th (Wed)
●Niseko High School Entrance Ceremony/Niseko High School: 10:00~
Thursday 10th
●Health checkup for 5-year-old children/Town: 9:00~
Open at night
Friday 11th
Hello Mayor's Office / Role: 10:00-12:00
12th (Sat)
●Niseko English Conversation Circle/O: 10:00~
13th (Sun)
Monday 14th
Playbook closed day
15th (Tuesday)
●Free legal consultation by lawyer/Town: 13:00~ (Reservation required by noon the day before)
Central warehouse group closed days
Wednesday 16th
●Radio Niseko Cut-in Training Broadcast / Role: 10:50~
Thursday 17th
Infant health check/town: 12:45~
Open at night
Friday 18th
19th (Sat)
20th (Sun)
Monday 21st
Playbook closed day
Tuesday 22nd
Central warehouse group closed days
Wednesday 23rd
●Spring Clean-up Campaign / Role: Meeting time: 9:00~ See Living Information p.30
●Dental checkup and fluoride application/town: from 13:00
Thursday 24th
●Asobukkurabu (Reservation required)/A: 15:00-
Open at night
Friday 25th
●Cartoon Workshop/Niseko High School World Village: 15:30-17:30
26th (Sat)
●Niseko English Conversation Circle/O: 10:00~
27th (Sun)
28th (Monday)
Playbook closed day
29th (Tuesday)
Showa Day
Playbook closed day
Central warehouse group closed days
30th (Wed)
May 1 (Thursday)
●Asobukkurabu (Reservation required)/A: 15:00-
Open at night
2nd (Friday)
3rd (Sat)
Constitution Memorial Day
Playbook closed day
4th (Sun)
Greenery Day
Playbook closed day
5th (Monday)
Children's Day
Playbook closed day
6th (Tue)
Substitute holiday
Playbook closed day
Central warehouse group closed days
7th (Wednesday)
in April
Traffic safety campaign during the new school entrance (kindergarten) period in spring
April 6th (Sun) - 15th (Tue)
○ Ensure the safety of pedestrians, including children and the elderly
○Let's eradicate drunken driving
○ Comply with traffic rules even for bicycles
*Please note that the event may be canceled depending on the circumstances.
bottom right box article
Night and holiday emergency and emergency response
倶倶知安厚生病院 電話0136-22-1141
How to read the calendar
Yaku = Town Hall Town = Community Center
Luck = Sports Park
A=Playbook
Kindergarten = Yoji Centre
Body = General Gymnasium
Ari = Arishima Takeo Memorial Museum
O=Online
Ko = Children's Center
Warehouse = Central Warehouse Group
6th (Sun)
7th (Monday)
●Niseko Elementary School Entrance Ceremony/Niseko Elementary School: 10:00~
Kondo Elementary School Entrance Ceremony/Kondo Elementary School: 10:00~
Playbook closed day
Tuesday 8th
● Niseko Junior High School Entrance Ceremony / Niseko Junior High School: 9:30~
●Blood donation/Kiranoyu: 10:30-11:45, Town: 13:30-17:00
Central warehouse group closed days
9th (Wed)
●Niseko High School Entrance Ceremony/Niseko High School: 10:00~
Thursday 10th
●Health checkup for 5-year-old children/Town: 9:00~
Open at night
Friday 11th
Hello Mayor's Office / Role: 10:00-12:00
12th (Sat)
●Niseko English Conversation Circle/O: 10:00~
13th (Sun)
Monday 14th
Playbook closed day
15th (Tuesday)
●Free legal consultation by lawyer/Town: 13:00~ (Reservation required by noon the day before)
Central warehouse group closed days
Wednesday 16th
●Radio Niseko Cut-in Training Broadcast / Role: 10:50~
Thursday 17th
Infant health check/town: 12:45~
Open at night
Friday 18th
19th (Sat)
20th (Sun)
Monday 21st
Playbook closed day
Tuesday 22nd
Central warehouse group closed days
Wednesday 23rd
●Spring Clean-up Campaign / Role: Meeting time: 9:00~ See Living Information p.30
●Dental checkup and fluoride application/town: from 13:00
Thursday 24th
●Asobukkurabu (Reservation required)/A: 15:00-
Open at night
Friday 25th
●Cartoon Workshop/Niseko High School World Village: 15:30-17:30
26th (Sat)
●Niseko English Conversation Circle/O: 10:00~
27th (Sun)
28th (Monday)
Playbook closed day
29th (Tuesday)
Showa Day
Playbook closed day
Central warehouse group closed days
30th (Wed)
May 1 (Thursday)
●Asobukkurabu (Reservation required)/A: 15:00-
Open at night
2nd (Friday)
3rd (Sat)
Constitution Memorial Day
Playbook closed day
4th (Sun)
Greenery Day
Playbook closed day
5th (Monday)
Children's Day
Playbook closed day
6th (Tue)
Substitute holiday
Playbook closed day
Central warehouse group closed days
7th (Wednesday)
Photo album of this month
We are looking for photos!
身近な写真を広報で紹介してみませんか。撮影日や撮影場所などの簡単な説明とお名前（フォトネーム）とともに、広報広聴係（koho@town.niseko.lg.jp）までお寄せください。ニセコ町公式LINEの投稿フォームからも投稿できます。
Two Mount Yotei?
Photo: Niseko Town Day Service Center
It was a great time meeting good friends.
Thanks a lot!
Photographer: Niseko Soccer Club
Kutchan Town Youth Exchange
Volleyball Tournament 3rd Place
Photo by: Niseko Volleyball Association
Mount Yotei before sunrise
Photo by: NKTAXI
身近な写真を広報で紹介してみませんか。撮影日や撮影場所などの簡単な説明とお名前（フォトネーム）とともに、広報広聴係（koho@town.niseko.lg.jp）までお寄せください。ニセコ町公式LINEの投稿フォームからも投稿できます。
Two Mount Yotei?
Photo: Niseko Town Day Service Center
It was a great time meeting good friends.
Thanks a lot!
Photographer: Niseko Soccer Club
Kutchan Town Youth Exchange
Volleyball Tournament 3rd Place
Photo by: Niseko Volleyball Association
Mount Yotei before sunrise
Photo by: NKTAXI
Central Warehouse Group News VOL.33
Making a snowman for the first time!
Hello! I'm Matsuda, the museum director. The other day, we made a snowman in the central warehouses to coincide with the scenic night in front of Kira no Yu. Although many of our staff were not raised in snowy regions, this was our first attempt. It was hard to make a snowman out of the soft, powdery snow of Niseko Town, so we used our watering cans and other ingenuity to finally complete it!
On the day, while fireworks were being set off, we lit candles around the snowman, making it look beautiful. It was cold and snowy, but it was worth the effort. Next year, we'll make a bigger one.
Some of our staff members would like to try making snow sculptures, so we will think about how to make large snow sculptures.
home page
Reservation system
Niseko Central Warehouse Group (Former Starch Factory / No. 1 Warehouse)
Opening hours / 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Closed/every Tuesday
TEL：0136-55-5538 FAX：0136-55-5596
Hello! I'm Matsuda, the museum director. The other day, we made a snowman in the central warehouses to coincide with the scenic night in front of Kira no Yu. Although many of our staff were not raised in snowy regions, this was our first attempt. It was hard to make a snowman out of the soft, powdery snow of Niseko Town, so we used our watering cans and other ingenuity to finally complete it!
On the day, while fireworks were being set off, we lit candles around the snowman, making it look beautiful. It was cold and snowy, but it was worth the effort. Next year, we'll make a bigger one.
Some of our staff members would like to try making snow sculptures, so we will think about how to make large snow sculptures.
home page
Reservation system
Niseko Central Warehouse Group (Former Starch Factory / No. 1 Warehouse)
Opening hours / 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Closed/every Tuesday
TEL：0136-55-5538 FAX：0136-55-5596
Editor's Note
The other day, I had a mini-reunion with some of my junior high school classmates. Since we graduated, we had fewer opportunities to keep in touch and rarely met, so I was nervous about the long-awaited reunion. However, when we got together, we couldn't stop talking and laughing as we talked about our recent situations and reminisced about the crazy events that happened back then. We forgot about our nervousness and had a great time, feeling so comfortable that we didn't even feel like it had been a long time.
Reuniting with friends who have shared the good times and the bad, regardless of the time we spent apart, is an experience that cannot be replaced by anything else, and it really made me realize the saying, "Once you meet someone, it's for life."
Spring. The first step into a new life is always accompanied by partings and new encounters. Sometimes it's good to enjoy time with friends you know well, and to enjoy the new world that comes from new encounters. (Ma)
Reuniting with friends who have shared the good times and the bad, regardless of the time we spent apart, is an experience that cannot be replaced by anything else, and it really made me realize the saying, "Once you meet someone, it's for life."
Spring. The first step into a new life is always accompanied by partings and new encounters. Sometimes it's good to enjoy time with friends you know well, and to enjoy the new world that comes from new encounters. (Ma)
DATA OF NISEKO TOWN
The situation of radiation dose in the town
Measurement date: 1 month until March 15th
Maximum value 0.023μGy/h
Minimum value: 0.018μGy/h
Average value: 0.019μGy/h
The spatial radiation dose rate is
normal level
Movement of people (as of the end of February)
Population: 5,578
(-71 compared to the previous month)
Men: 2,812
(-29 compared to the previous month)
Women: 2,695
(-42 compared to the previous month)
Number of households: 3,290
(-63 compared to the previous month)
Of these, 1,032 are foreigners.
Of these, 876 are foreign households
Measurement date: 1 month until March 15th
Maximum value 0.023μGy/h
Minimum value: 0.018μGy/h
Average value: 0.019μGy/h
The spatial radiation dose rate is
normal level
Movement of people (as of the end of February)
Population: 5,578
(-71 compared to the previous month)
Men: 2,812
(-29 compared to the previous month)
Women: 2,695
(-42 compared to the previous month)
Number of households: 3,290
(-63 compared to the previous month)
Of these, 1,032 are foreigners.
Of these, 876 are foreign households
Inquiries
- Niseko Town Hall
- TEL:0136-44-2121
- FAX:0136-44-3500