Photo: Mantaroh Muramoto
Click here part of the interview
Yudai Ueno, founder of the Compass Project, became a village council member of Nozawa Onsen Village in 2021. He currently works as a rider, businessman, village council member, and father of three children, juggling many different roles. We asked Yudai Ueno about his life and thoughts. Here is the second part of the interview
Birth of village council member Yudai Ueno
-Why did you decide to become a village council member this time?
Yudai: My life and work in the village started with the idea of "making skiing more free and fun," but as I continued, I expanded beyond categories and expanded even further. For example, I started renting snowboards and offering mountain biking in the summer. Then I realized I wanted to attract more visitors to Nozawa Onsen itself
I wanted to improve convenience and increase the appeal of Nozawa Onsen so that more people could have a free and enjoyable experience, so I decided to get involved in the village administration and help with the further development of the village
-The idea matured and spread beyond the boundaries of sports and individual businesses to include local government..…
Yudai: There were some background factors behind this. One factor was the spread of infectious diseases. We already know from past experience that the world changes dramatically after a global crisis. In today's world, the COVID-19 pandemic has completely changed the way we think about our daily lives, and we are now accepting these changes. It seems that these changes will continue to accelerate
The region where I live is particularly deeply rooted in conservative thinking. While there are good things about the region, such as the long-standing tradition of preserving local culture and order, it takes an enormous amount of time to adapt and take on new challenges. The speed at which we can adapt and change for the better with the times will be different if I speak out again in four years, as the situation and my enthusiasm will be different, so I thought, "Now is the time."
Over the past few years, I've been coaching junior skiers at the Nozawa Onsen Ski Club, and I've noticed a lot of things. The rate at which people from Nozawa return to their village isn't all that high. They loved skiing and the village as children, so I wondered what made them decide to leave and never return
I think that will become a little clearer as I get involved with the village government and talk to various people from there, and I'm really curious to know more, and it will be easier to take action based on what I learn. As the times change, it's becoming more common to have two bases. I hope that Nozawa will become an attractive village that people will choose to live in, a place that can provide abundance. This will also directly lead to the promotion of social movements such as workcation and relocation
-I see. What would you like to work on as a member of parliament?
Yudai: My consistent theme throughout my four-year term is "Creating a better, more prosperous village." I have a long history and it's my specialty, so I'd like to use the power of sports as my theme and improve the local area. I want to do things that enrich people's hearts, improve their health, and enrich their lifestyles. And because it's a ski village, I want to support tourism, which is a key industry. I also want to boost summer tourism
The other issue is environmental issues. Nozawa Onsen Village depends on natural resources, so I don't think we can turn a blind eye to them. Toward the goal of realizing a carbon-free society by 2030 and 2050, I would like to propose ways for the village to take the lead in decarbonizing and using renewable energy. I believe that both of these will ultimately lead to regional revitalization
Improving the community through the power of sports
-The key is the "Power of Sports."
Yudai: I have adopted this word as one of the concepts for my company, Dreamship, and my activities as a village council member, and I think and act on it. This is because I think about how much richer life can be if sports are part of your lifestyle. In my own experience, when I was in my teens and twenties, I approached sports as if it was natural, and I enjoyed the activities and time I spent doing them as a matter of course
However, in my 30s, I became so absorbed in my work that I continued to do desk work and long hours, and before I knew it, my muscle strength and endurance had completely declined, my metabolism slowed down, and I started to gain weight. Also, my blood circulation and hormone balance were disrupted, which affected my brain, and I was no longer able to think creatively
- My body and mind were so exhausted that I could no longer think..
Yudai: At that time, I thought there was nothing more lonely than that. But it was sports that helped me recover. I took part in a race for the first time in eight years since retiring from racing. It was like adrenaline was coursing through my entire body as I competed for the first time in a long time. I think the strong stimulation had a big impact on my body and brain. I vividly remember new ideas welling up inside me again. The following season, I won the RED Bull downhill race among active riders in their 20s, and I remember feeling very excited
There are many aspects of sports that can lead to feelings of joy or regret when winning or losing, and can also lead to self-confidence and personal growth. Even after your time as an athlete is over, your sports experience will continue to have some kind of positive impact on you throughout your life. I was reminded of the great power of sports. Also, starting triathlon in my late 30s has allowed me to maintain a certain level of physical fitness and keep my body healthy
-Speaking of the power of sport, what did you think of watching the Beijing Olympics? What did you feel?
Yudai: Nowadays, there are a variety of sports, and people of all ages, from young to veteran, are active. I think that this naturally creates a variety of choices for children watching the Olympics. Some children want to aim for classic sports like alpine or Nordic, while others want to try new sports. When children decide, "I want to do this!", I think it would be great if there was an environment and support system that could focus on their pure passion for that sport. As a member of parliament, I would like to start working on such things
In the extreme, I would like to see Nozawa produce athletes for the Summer Olympics, not just the Winter Olympics. Skateboarding, in which Japanese athletes have had great success, and mountain biking, which already has a field, both already have an affinity with the characteristics of Nozawa Onsen Village. I would also like to create a trend in which a skateboard park and training facilities are built in the village, attracting new sports fans and athletes, leading to the revitalization of the region
-Sports have the power to revitalize local communities
Yudai: I think values are being re-evaluated due to the impact of the pandemic. One example of this is that it is said that cycling is now in its golden age around the world. Since 2012, we have been commissioned by ski resorts to create MTB courses on their slopes. We envision Nozawa becoming a year-round resort, not just for winter. When we think about making the most of the characteristics of the land of Nozawa, we think that field sports, including cycling, are one of its strengths
The replacement of the Nagasaka Gondola in the 20-21 season is also providing a further boost, and things are moving in a really good direction. I think we can finally liven up Nozawa's green season from here on out. In addition to cycling, there is also trail running, hiking, and water activities, so we would like to offer a comprehensive range of activities
-How has the past year been since you became a village council member in April 2021 until now (May 2022)?
Yudai: Even though my days were hectic, I have had a very fulfilling time, but the year has flown by. I have gained a deep understanding of the current situation in my beloved village and region, learned new things, and gained a considerable amount of knowledge. In the village council, I have repeatedly asked questions and made proposals, focusing on issues that have long interested me and issues that have come to me from both inside and outside the village
It will take time for this to take shape, but I feel like if we take concrete steps... I think it's been a year that will lead to the future. For example, while there were previously zero young people attending village council meetings, the number has increased, and council meetings will now be streamed nationwide online, so I think we've made a small contribution to revitalizing the council itself
▼Yudai Ueno's blog
https://ameblo.jp/yutaueno-nozawa/entry-12735587284.html
-What are your future goals as a council member?
Yudai: The COVID-19 pandemic has made me realize how fragile Nozawa's core industry is tourism. As a village supported by tourism resources, we believe that climate change and renewable energy are important issues that cannot be put off any longer. However, I cannot do anything about these issues on my own. I would like to increase the number of young people who will think about and act together with us for the future of Nozawa Onsen
So, after persistently proposing initiatives, we received permission to launch a group, which could be called a "future conference," made up of young people. We believe that the young generation will be the ones to lead the way in the future, focusing primarily on issues related to the 17 SDGs, including renewable energy and environmental issues, and we would like to create an environment and develop human resources that will allow individuals to express their opinions more
-It really does have a sense of moving towards the future!
Yudai: I feel that the assembly can change things for the better by getting many people interested. If we can get visitors to Nozawa interested, I think we can improve the convenience of the village and make it a more attractive place, so I hope they will take an interest. I have set up a suggestion box on my website as an assembly member, so I would love to receive all kinds of feedback
▼ Yudai Ueno's website and contact form as a village council member of Nozawa Onsen Village
www.yuta-ueno.com
Yudai's vision of the future
-Finally, please tell us about the vision that you have
Yudai: Now in my 40s, I've gained more experience and learned a lot. I want to grow as much as I can in my 40s, and I want to do my best to contribute to the community. I think that being in your 40s and 50s is the best time to incorporate the opinions of both younger and older generations in a balanced way
It's been over a decade since the Compass project kicked off, but I feel like we've achieved a lot of what we originally envisioned, in terms of spreading the message of "Make skiing more fun and free" and developing the stores and business that goes with it. From now on, we'll be working to improve our precision even more, and not only provide good service to our customers, but also create an environment where our family, friends, and employees, who have believed in us and followed us on the same boat, can live happier lives
-Do you have any favorite sayings or words that you hold dear?
Yudai: I still keep in mind the words I put forward when I first launched the Compass project in my daily life and work. "Make skiing more fun and more free" was my motto in my late 20s, and I continued to do so until my early 30s
Since then, as my perspective has broadened, I've realized that the same thing can be said about everything, and so I started proposing snowboarding and other summer activities with the aim of making things "more fun and more free." Now that I'm in my 40s, I'm always conscious of "better." This also aligns with the goal of "building a better village," which I made clear during the election
The goal of "better" is to feel happiness, excitement, smiles, and fun, as well as freedom that respects individuality and diversity
So, what I keep in mind every day is "more fun, more freedom, and better than now." To concretely act towards that, I want to have an open ear to listen to the voices of the people around me, who come from a wide range of ages, ways of thinking, and personalities. In business, I want to listen to the voices of my staff and customers, at home, my family, and in village administration, the voices of the villagers and visitors to the village. I also want to maintain an open heart and mind that is able to accept the important things I learn
He juggles his extremely busy days as a professional skier, businessman, village council member, and family man, but what supports him is a gentle heart, along with unwavering beliefs and actions. Yudai Ueno's challenge to bring about change will continue. I hope to take an interest in the future of Nozawa Onsen
[Profile]
Ueno Yuta:
Born in 1981 in Nozawa Onsen Village, Nagano Prefecture.
Graduated from Juntendo University's School of Sport and Health Sciences.
Member of the Nozawa Onsen Village Council, director of the Nozawa Onsen Tourism Association, director of the Nozawa Onsen Ski Club, father of three, and
CEO of Dreamship Co., Ltd. Based in Nozawa Onsen Village, with the motto "More Fun, More Freedom," he operates three sports-related stores and one restaurant. He renovates and utilizes vacant houses within the village. He contributes to regional revitalization by developing businesses that address the issue of vacant houses and promote employment. He is also involved in human resource development as chief coach of the Nozawa Onsen Jr. Ski Club elementary school team.
Snow photo courtesy of Descente
@descente_ski_jp #descente #descenteski