FLCB (FUN LIFE CENTER BUILDING) ~ A multipurpose facility for "enjoying life." Aiming to be a "hub" for local people - Page 2 of 2

Interview with Naoto Asano of FLCB

Naoto Asano, the representative of FLCB and the director and physician of Asano Clinic — Naoto Asano, the owner of FLCB and the director and physician of Asano Clinic

A facility that can be used in various ways, FLCB.

I spoke with the owner, Naoto Asano.

People need joy and pleasure to live

During the interview, baked goods were being sold in the shared space

What was originally at the location of FLCB?

Asano

The building of FLCB was originally a life insurance company.

The company withdrew, and it became an empty property.
We renovated it and renewed it as FLCB.

I have been operating a clinic called Asano Clinic as a physician since 2014 in a location just north of FLCB.

When the life insurance company in front of me withdrew, I had been thinking about what I could do with this building.

Before establishing the clinic, my father had opened Asano Dental Clinic at the location of the clinic, so I was born and raised here.

Therefore, I was thinking about how I could give back to the community of Soja City Chuo, which has a connection to me.

What is the background of the establishment of FLCB?

Asano

In addition to being physically healthy, it is important for humans to have joy, pleasure, and a sense of self-worth to live, which I have valued since the opening of the clinic.

Therefore, I have always had the desire to eventually do work that creates joy and purpose in life, in addition to medical and nursing care.

However, I cannot do everything at once, and to convey "what I am trying to do and what my feelings are," I need to have trust from those around me.

So, I focused on medical and nursing care first.

Eventually, alongside medical and nursing care, I began activities to revitalize the community in collaboration with people I met through work.

I thought that by developing community-based activities, I could build a foundation for the work I aim to do, which is to "create joy and purpose in life."

The activities of the Okayama Foundation for Everyone are part of that.

Then, in 2017, I had the opportunity to acquire the former life insurance company building and started moving to make it a place for activities that create joy and purpose in life.

This is the root of the current FLCB.

I want to know the circumstances from acquiring the building to the opening of FLCB.

Asano

After the acquisition, I couldn't start the concept right away.

First, after a while, in 2018, the July 2018 heavy rain disaster occurred.
There was significant damage in Soja and Mabi.

So, I lent the building where FLCB is located as a base for a support organization for disaster victims.

When the recovery from the disaster was settling down, the COVID-19 pandemic occurred in 2020.
I lost the opportunity to start planning.

However, I realized that if I continued like this, I would never move forward, so I resolved to advance the plan from around the end of 2020.

Thus, after the renovation work was completed, FLCB was successfully opened in October 2021 after a pre-opening in July of the same year.

The operation of FLCB is entrusted to a local organization called ON-DO, which is engaged in local human resource development.

What is the origin of the name "FUN LIFE CENTER BUILDING"?

Asano

The "joy and pleasure of living," which I mentioned earlier as my motto in medicine and the keyword that led to the establishment of FLCB, is where "FUN LIFE" comes from.

It is a facility created to purely enjoy life and support enjoyment.

Also, since it is a building located in the Chuo area of Soja City, it is called "CENTER BUILDING."

Free use of shared space if there are no reservations during weekday afternoons

Usage of shared space and shared kitchen (Photo provided by FLCB)

What are the features of FLCB?

Asano

FLCB is a "hub" where various people, including the elderly living in Soja, children, and people from overseas, can casually drop by.

Another characteristic of the exterior is that it has been made fully glass-walled by removing the walls along the city hall street.

This creates a bright and open space.
At the same time, it seamlessly connects with the surrounding town, making it easy for passersby to stop by.

A system feature is that the shared space and shared kitchen on the first floor are open for free use if there are no reservations from 10 AM to 5 PM on weekdays.

During free use, you can spend your time freely within the hours.
There is also free Wi-Fi and some power outlets available.

Many people work during their commute or have lunch here.

During school holidays, students often visit to do homework and study. FLCB is also designed to function as a temporary evacuation site for nearby residents during disasters.
Food and other supplies are stored on the upper floors to be ready for immediate response in case of emergencies.

I would be happy if people with the same feelings could use it

Example of shared kitchen use: Disaster prevention kitchen class (Photo provided by FLCB)

What are the common uses for private rentals at FLCB?

Asano

Health is important for living happily, so the nurses at Asano Clinic conduct a health consultation called "Tiny Tiny Health Room" every Wednesday.

It is a place where you can consult about worries and anxieties that are not serious enough to go to a medical institution or specialist, but you cannot discuss with someone close to you.

There are also uses such as bento sales, sweets sales, cooking classes, a night-only café, and beer hall events.

Additionally, there are sales of remade kimono products, events and sales by local clothing stores, and jazz concerts.

Example of shared space use: Music live (Photo provided by FLCB)

Additionally, elderly residents of the community gather to make barazushi, and there are miso-making classes for children, as well as lectures and seminars being held.

I believe that as long as users follow the facility's rules, the possibilities are endless.

If you wish to use the facility, please first contact us for consultation.
We will meet with you and listen to your intended use.

I would be happy if people who share our thoughts of "enjoying life" and "revitalizing the community" could use it.

In the future, pursuing ease of use such as extending free use hours

Please tell us about your future prospects and challenges.

Asano

Currently, rentals are available until 9 PM, but free use is only until 5 PM on weekdays.
I would like to extend the free use to later hours.

Many people work until the evening, so I think it would be easier for them to visit if it were open later.
There are also possibilities for night cafés and other dining operations that are currently limited to certain days.

Additionally, I would like to increase operations on Saturdays and Sundays.

The goal is to operate for 12 hours a day, except for the Bon Festival and New Year holidays!
I want to pursue ease of use to make it a community-based facility.

Facility for enjoying life: FLCB

A facility where various uses can be made depending on the creativity of the users, FLCB.

Aiming to be a base that energizes the community for joy and pleasure in life.

Why not stop by during the free use hours on weekdays and spend some relaxing time?

Data of FUN LIFE CENTER BUILDING (FLCB)

Name	FUN LIFE CENTER BUILDING (FLCB)
Location	2-8 Chuo 2-chome, Soja City, Okayama Prefecture
Contact	090-9514-0076
Parking	Available <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/Eoh6S4GbLbthtLpe6" target="_blank">Located in the joint parking lot southwest of Soja City Hall</a> (where the FLCB nameplate is)
Business Hours	9:00 AM - 9:00 PM (Reception: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM)
Regular Holidays	None
Usage Fees (including tax)	[Shared Space & Kitchen] Weekdays 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM: 3,300 yen per hour Weekdays 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM: 5,500 yen per hour Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM: 6,600 yen per hour Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM: 11,000 yen per hour *Free access on weekdays without reservations [Rental Conference Room] 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM: 2,200 yen per hour Holidays 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM: 3,300 yen per hour [Online Room] 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM: 1,100 yen per hour Holidays 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM: 2,200 yen per hour
Payment Methods	Cash Credit Card
Reservation Availability	Yes
Wi-Fi	Available
Power Supply	Available *Only some seats in the shared space
Available Equipment	Extension cords One drink can be consumed with a donation (100 yen or more) [Shared Space & Kitchen] 10 conference tables, other tables, 50 chairs, piano, simple table tennis table [Rental Conference Room] 6 chairs, 1 table, whiteboard, monitor (43 inches), webcam [Online Room] 3 chairs, 1 table, whiteboard
Smoking	Completely non-smoking
Restrooms	Western-style toilets, barrier-free toilets
Childcare	Strollers allowed
Barrier-Free	Ramp, barrier-free toilet