Interview with Yuko Yokota and Wakiko Ono
The blue sea stretches out before Boat Race Kojima.
The sound of race commentary can occasionally be heard, making it a unique workplace and a unique place to work.
We spoke with city employees working at Boat Race Kojima: Yuko Yokota of the Race Operations Division and Wakiko Ono of the Management and Administration Division.
Job Responsibilities
Work of the Management and Administration Division
Could you tell us about your work, Ms. Ono?
Ono (surname only)
I belong to the Management Planning Section of the Management and Administration Division.
My main work is budgeting and accounting, handling the bureau’s internal finances.
As for unusual tasks, I suppose there’s hosting visiting guests.
Sometimes we invite people to visit, and other times they come for inspections.
We generally show them around the venue, but recently, unusually, we had a request for a tour of Kojima Jeans Street, and I accompanied the visitors.
The Facility Management Section, another section, is responsible for maintaining buildings and equipment.
It handles repairs and inspections, as well as upcoming facility renovations, and many of its staff are specialists.
The grounds are extensive, and some employees use bicycles to get around.
I’m basically in the office all the time, and even I walk 3,000 steps.
Even going “just over there” isn’t really “just” anywhere.
Yokota (surname only)
When I don’t leave the office, I walk 1,000 steps; normally, 3,000; and when there’s an event or something, 10,000 (laughs).
Work of the Race Operations Division
Could you tell us about your work, Ms. Yokota?
Yokota
I’m in the Fan Services Section.
We work on fan services to attract new fans who are visiting a boat race venue for the first time, including longtime boat racing fans and people who have recently become interested.
That includes public relations, preparing gifts for visitors, and holding events to encourage people to come.
Employees and related businesses such as JLC come up with ideas and provide services for visitors.
JLC is short for Japan Leisure Channel. It is a broadcaster that provides real-time boat race information on television.
For gifts, we buy items unique to Kurashiki from companies in Kurashiki City.
For example, tatami-edge coasters from Takata Orimono and masking tape from KAMOI KAKOSHI CO., LTD.
For public relations, we make programs and videos with Kurashiki Cable TV.
It’s also our Fan Services Section’s job to produce the race programs that contain race information.
Ono
The Race Operations Division, where Ms. Yokota works, mainly deals with people outside the organization, so she’s hardly ever at her desk.
Our division takes their phone inquiries on their behalf, but people also ask about matters handled by the Race Operations Division, which can make us panic.
The Race Operations Division is directly involved with the races themselves.
It is also responsible for security around the venue.
Yokota
The atmosphere at work is really good.
Everyone is fun, kind, and hardworking.
My supervisors are great, too, and praise me several times a day.
When I make a suggestion, they say, “Sounds good! Let’s try it.”
Changing the image of boat race venues
Before visiting Boat Race Kojima, I had a negative image of it without really knowing anything about it. When I actually visited, I was surprised by the open space and the beautiful sea.
Yokota
To be honest, the reality is that people don’t have a very positive impression of boat racing.
I hadn’t even been inside the facility before I was assigned here.
But when you come here, it’s clean and spacious, and above all, the sea and scenery are beautiful.
The scenery always makes me feel at ease.
I want people to know that it’s actually a wonderful place.
Ono
The question is, “Why does the city operate boat racing as a publicly run sport?” Since it involves gambling, people may not have a very positive image of it.
In the past, there were few forms of entertainment, and the basic idea was to provide entertainment while using the proceeds to give back to and contribute to the local community.
But until now, we haven’t actively publicized what those proceeds are used for.
If people knew that they could contribute to society while having fun, I think their image of boat racing might improve further.
Yokota
Some of the proceeds are transferred to Kurashiki City’s general account.
Since they go into the general account, they’re used for all sorts of things.
Ono
Because we haven’t done enough public relations, recently we’ve started announcing what the proceeds are used for when we know their specific use.
Yokota
For example, proceeds were used for the construction to open the newer (downhill-bound) section of Kojoike Tunnel.
During the July 2018 torrential rains, proceeds were also used to build disaster public housing in Mabi and restore Makibi no Sato Nursery School.
They have also been used to improve the grounds at Nishi-Achi Elementary School and purchase a ladder truck.
Ono
They’ve also been used for measures against COVID-19. The proceeds are used in a wide range of areas.
Making the venue a place open to the community through facility improvements
According to Kurashiki City’s website, are there plans to renovate the buildings?
Yokota
Yes. We’ll begin the design work this fiscal year (FY2022), and completion is scheduled for FY2026.
The building where customers watch the races was expanded to reach its current form. It is now all connected, but the second, third, and fourth phases were built at different times.
The plan is to renovate the grandstand buildings in Phases 2, 3, and 4.
Phase 2 is the oldest building, covering the area from just inside the entrance to the middle.
Phase 2 will be demolished and rebuilt.
We’ll create an event hall and facilities where children can play, making this an area that people of all ages can enjoy.
Phases 3 and 4 won’t be demolished, but the interiors will be renovated.
We hope you’re looking forward to the finished project!
Ono
The facilities are now large relative to the number of visitors.
At the peak, many customers came in person, so large facilities were needed. But now there are more places and ways to buy betting tickets, and visitor numbers are low.
We want to renovate the buildings and make this a place that not only people who enjoy boat racing, but others too, can enjoy.
At the moment, even when families bring their children, they can only play in a small, limited area.
But based on the basic concept of becoming a place open to the community, where children can play every day, the venue is set to be transformed.
Our hopes for the boat race venue
How would you like Boat Race Kojima to change in the future?
Yokota
I’d like it to be featured in tourist brochures and recognized as one of the tourist attractions.
I myself had never thought of it as a tourist attraction.
When heading to Washuzan Hill, you pass by it, but just drive on.
I hope it will become one of the options: “Shall we go to Kojima Jeans Street? Or to the boat races?”
We want people to visit for reasons other than boat racing, such as bringing their children to play or coming for a meal.
We want to make it an open boat race venue where everyone can visit and spend time comfortably.
Ono
Don’t you have the impression that “you shouldn’t go unless you like boat racing”?
I’d like to get rid of that impression.
Yokota
We’ll hold events everyone can enjoy and give back the proceeds, so people can have fun here even if they’re not interested in boat racing.
We want to renovate the venue so people can enjoy it every day.
We’d also like people to enjoy the beautiful scenery.
We’ve heard people say that this view is every bit as good as those at other venues.
First, we want people to come and see it without betting.
Then, as they watch the races unfold right before their eyes, we hope they’ll become interested.
Watching the fierce, split-second competition is thrilling and exciting.
From the Writer
I had assumed that this was “a place you shouldn’t go if you don’t gamble,” but through the interview I learned that there are ways to enjoy it beyond boat racing.
The venue was clean and well-maintained, with beautiful scenery. My assumptions about boat race venues completely changed, and I found myself thinking, “I want to come again.”
At the same time, I wanted more people to learn about this place and visit it.
Boat Race Kojima is set to be completely transformed in the future.
I’m looking forward to the day it becomes a place everyone can enjoy and one of the tourist attractions.
Articles about Boat Race Kojima
Boat Race Kojima Information
| Name | Boat Race Kojima |
|---|---|
| Location | 6-3 Kojima Motohamacho, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-472-5051 |
| Parking | Available |
| Opening hours | 9:45 a.m.–5:00 p.m. *Hours vary depending on race times |
| Closed | Irregular holidays Closed on days when no races are held |
| Admission (tax included) | Admission: 100 yen per person |
| Payment methods |
|
| Smoking | Non-smoking (smoking permitted only in designated areas) |
| Restrooms | Western-style toilets, Japanese-style toilets, accessible toilets |
| Childcare facilities | Nursing room, diaper-changing table, stroller rental |
| Accessibility | Ramps, accessible toilets, elevator, wheelchair rental Wheelchair seating available in the reserved seating area |
| Website | Boat Race Kojima |
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The Boat Race Business Bureau has two divisions, each of which is further made up of two sections.