Interview with Kobayashi, Director of the Settlement Promotion Center, and Katayama, Chief
Kobayashi and Katayama from the Settlement Promotion Center are working to promote the charm of Kasaoka City and connect it to migration and settlement through the KASAOKA SKETCH project.
We asked about the background of the publication of Kasaoka Sketch, the thoughts behind Kasaoka Sketch, and the future initiatives of the Settlement Promotion Center.
The background of launching the free magazine Kasaoka Sketch
What was the background for launching Kasaoka Sketch?
Katayama (honorifics omitted)
The concept for the free magazine came about around the fall of 2020.
Until then, we had been using social media like Instagram for public relations activities, but there were people who couldn't catch the information online, and we realized that we needed a paper medium to deliver information to them.
If we were to publish in a paper medium, we decided to go with a free magazine style that anyone could easily pick up.
Why did you feature bread in Kasaoka Sketch 01?
Katayama
The free magazine Kasaoka Sketch is aimed at women in their 30s as the target readership.
I feel that things like bread markets and high-end bread are among the top interests of women in their 30s right now.
Since Kasaoka Sketch 01 is the inaugural issue, we decided to go with a bread feature to attract as many people as possible to pick it up.
After deciding to feature bread, we began picking up Kasaoka's bakeries and negotiating interviews while consulting with our public relations advisor.
We visited various shops, and I am truly grateful that many of them cooperated with us in the end.
Enjoying the process of launching Kasaoka Sketch
What did you find challenging until Kasaoka Sketch was completed?
Katayama
I had never created a magazine before, so I started from scratch.
We need a writer, right? I started from there (laughs).
What was challenging... what was challenging, I wonder.
Everything was indeed challenging, but since the time until the launch passed in a whirlwind, I didn't have time to feel that way.
Kobayashi (honorific omitted)
For a first-time effort, I have the impression that it went quite smoothly.
If we had outsourced it to a company, it would have been made smoothly, but since we did everything in-house, we started from selecting individual members and it was quite challenging.
However, various connections led to good progress, I think.
Katayama
From selecting shops to planning, we felt like we were thinking together with the writers and designers.
I made the appointments with the shops and explained the plans, but after that, there were tasks like considering how to structure it with the writers.
After Kasaoka Sketch was completed, there were many things to do, like going to thank the interviewees, so it was challenging in that sense (laughs).
Kobayashi
I felt like we were enjoying the process.
People say it doesn't feel like a government office, but since it's a department that hasn't created anything before, I thought it would be good to do it as we wanted rather than creating something that already existed.
I want Kasaoka Sketch to be read by people in Kasaoka City
Who do you want to read Kasaoka Sketch?
Katayama
I want people in Kasaoka City and nearby to read it.
I hear that places like Fukuyama are within a reasonable distance, but for example, after visiting Kasaoka Bay Farm, they don't have information on where to go in Kasaoka City or what would be good to visit.
I hope that the role of delivering that information can be fulfilled by the web version of KASAOKA SKETCH and Instagram online, and that people can gain information by reading Kasaoka Sketch in print.
Kasaoka is an easy town to live in with an average score
Katayama
I can't think of anything particularly outstanding (laughs), but I think it's easy to live in.
Considering it as a base for living, the access is good, it's quiet, and it's easy to live in.
An easy town to live in with an average score might be its best feature.
You can enjoy a peaceful life surrounded by rich nature while benefiting from the advantages of urban areas.
It's a town that strikes a good balance, not too urban and not too rural.
I think Kasaoka is a town where you can live without any problems or inconveniences.
Kobayashi
I have lived in Kasaoka all my life, and I really like Kasaoka.
I think I feel that way even more because of this job.
Certainly, from an external perspective, there may not be a standout feature, but I believe the most important thing is to help local people understand and appreciate the good aspects of Kasaoka.
I think the Settlement Promotion Center is capable of implementing such initiatives.
Future developments of the Settlement Promotion Center & Kasaoka Sketch
What are the future developments of Kasaoka Sketch?
Kobayashi
As the Settlement Promotion Center, we have the goal of increasing the number of people migrating here, but to achieve that, we need to promote the use of subsidies and other systems while ensuring that people understand the charm of Kasaoka.
I used to create something like a migration guidebook.
Although Kasaoka Sketch was not created for that purpose, I believe it can be used as a guidebook to convey the current state of Kasaoka.
I want Kasaoka Sketch to serve as a medium to convey the charm of Kasaoka and also function as a guidebook for migrants.
Katayama
I think that's a great idea!
For now, we are considering issuing the free magazine Kasaoka Sketch three times a year, with the next issue aiming for release around July 2021.
I want to make "hardworking people" the charm of Kasaoka City
What do you want to do for the development of Kasaoka?
Katayama
I have been working at Kasaoka City Hall for five years and have lived in Kasaoka for two years, and I see that there are quite a few young people working hard individually in Kasaoka.
Among them, there are many who have stories that could stand out more as a brand.
I hope that hardworking people will become the charm of Kasaoka City.
In places with many migrants, there are pioneering individuals, and I believe a good cycle is created where people attract more people.
I think that if that happens in Kasaoka, it will lead to an increase in migrants, so I want to bring more hardworking people in Kasaoka to the forefront.
I don't know how far the government can go, but I want to promote the idea of a good town with good people and a town where people are working hard.
I hope that as more people resonate with those who are working hard, the number of related individuals will increase.
From the Writer
The Kasaoka City Settlement Promotion Center is engaged in promotional activities for Kasaoka City in a direction different from tourism.
The thoughts of Kobayashi and Katayama, who want to convey the charm of Kasaoka through the KASAOKA SKETCH project and connect it to migration and settlement, came through in the interview.
I believe that the flexible thinking and actionability that are unimaginable from the rigid name "Settlement Promotion Center" are its strengths.
I want to make the hardworking people of Kasaoka City the charm of Kasaoka City.
They will likely show us various initiatives to realize their vision in the future.
The second round of the photo contest held in February 2021, the Kasaoka Sketch Instagram Photo Contest "Delicious Things in Kasaoka," will be held from May 1 to May 31, 2021.
The Kasaoka City Settlement Promotion Center continues to promote the charm of Kasaoka in order to increase the resident migration population.
The second issue of the free magazine Kasaoka Sketch is scheduled for release in the summer.
If you haven't seen Kasaoka Sketch, which is filled with the charm of Kasaoka, please be sure to pick it up!
Kasaoka Sketch Information
| Name | Kasaoka Sketch |
|---|---|
| Location | Published by: Kasaoka City Hall, 1-1 Chuo-cho, Kasaoka City, Okayama Prefecture, Settlement Promotion Center |
| Homepage | Kasaoka Sketch |
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