Photo: Mantaro Muramoto
Click here part of the interview
Yudai Ueno, the founder of the Compass Project, has become a member of the Nozawa Onsen Municipal Assembly since 2021. Currently, he runs around with his father, a businessman, a businessman, a member of the village council, and a father with three children, wearing many pairs of straw sandals. I asked Yudai Ueno about his life and thoughts. We will deliver the second part of the interview.
Birth of Yudai Ueno, member of the village assembly
-Why did you decide to become a member of the village council this time?
Yuudai: My life and work in the village began with the idea of “making skiing more free and enjoyable,” but as I went along, the range of activities expanded beyond categories. For example, they rent snowboards, and offer MTB in the summer. Then, after all, I want to increase the number of customers who come to Nozawa Onsen itself.
By improving convenience and enhancing the appeal of Nozawa Onsen, I wanted more people to have free and enjoyable experiences. I acted in the hope that I could be of some help to development.
―The “thoughts” matured and spread beyond the framework of sports and personal business to local autonomy……
Yuudai: There was also such a background. One is the spread of infectious diseases. We already know from past experience that the world changes dramatically after a global crisis. In modern times, the common sense of everyday life has completely changed due to the corona disaster, and there is a reality that we accept them. It seems that the change is still accelerating.
In the region where I live, conservative ideas are particularly deep-rooted. While there are good things about local culture and order that have been maintained for many years, it takes a tremendous amount of time to take on new challenges and adapt. I thought that the speed of acceptance in order to change better with the times would be different if I raised my voice after four years, and I thought that my passion would be different, so I said, "Not yet."
Over the past few years, I've been coaching juniors at Nozawa Onsen Ski Club, and I've felt a lot of things. The return rate of people from Nozawa to the village is not so high. When I was a child, I loved skiing and the village, but what kind of judgment did I leave the village and never come back?
I think it will become a little clearer as I enter the village administration and talk to various people from there, and I really want to know, and I think it will be easier to take action on what I know. With the passage of time, it is no longer uncommon to live in two locations. I hope that Nozawa will be a place where people can choose to stay, a charming village, and a place that can provide affluence. This is directly linked to the promotion of social movements such as workcations and immigration.
-I see. What do you want to do as an MP?
Yuudai: The consistent theme of my four-year term is “Building a better and more prosperous village.” I have a lot of experience and this is my area of expertise, so I want to use the power of sports to make the community better. I want to do things that enrich people's minds, improve their health, and enrich their lifestyles. And since it's a ski village, I want to support tourism, which is also a key industry. I would also like to bolster summer tourism.
Another issue is the environment. Nozawa Onsen Village is a village that is alive with natural resources, so I don't think we can turn a blind eye to it. I would like to propose that the village can take the initiative in decarbonization and renewable energy toward the goal of realizing a carbon-free society in 2030 and 2050. We believe that each will lead to regional revitalization as a result.
Making communities better with the power of sports
―The key is the “Power of Sports.”
Yuudai: I think and act with this word as one of the concepts of my company Dreamship and my activities as a member of the village council. This is because I think that having sports in your lifestyle will enrich your life. From my own experience, in my teens and twenties, I feel that I was naturally engaged in sports and enjoyed the activities and time as a matter of course.
However, in my 30s, I was so absorbed in my work that I continued to work at a desk and work for long hours. It also affected my brain, probably because my blood circulation and hormone balance were disturbed, and I couldn't think of anything creative.
―My body and mind were so exhausted that I stopped thinking...
Yudai: At that time, I thought there was nothing more lonely than this. However, it was sports that made me recover. He participated in the race for the first time in eight years after retiring as an athlete. After a long time fighting, I felt a rush of adrenaline running through my body. I think the strong stimulation had a big impact on the body and brain. I vividly remember the new ideas springing up one after another. The following season, I won the RED bull downhill race among active players in their 20s, and I remember being very excited.
There are many things in sports that lead to self-confidence and self-growth, sometimes feeling joy or frustration by winning or losing or getting results. Even after the period of being an athlete has passed, the experience of sports has a lifelong positive effect. It made me realize once again how great the power of sports is. Also, since I started doing triathlons in my late 30s, I have been able to maintain a certain amount of physical strength and keep my body healthy.
―Speaking of the power of sports, what was it like watching the Beijing Olympics? What did you feel?
Yuudai: Nowadays, the events are diversifying, and there are many people of all ages, from young people to veterans. For children watching the Olympics, I think that naturally there will be many choices to be made. Some children want to aim for classic events such as alpine and Nordic, while others want to try new events. I thought it would be great if there was an environment and a support system that would allow children to focus on their pure passion for sports when they wanted to do something. As a member of the Diet, I would like to be involved in such things.
Ultimately, I want Nozawa to produce not only winter Olympic athletes but also summer Olympic athletes. Skateboarding, where the Japanese played a big role, and MTB, which already has a field, both already have an affinity with the characteristics of Nozawa Onsen Village. I would like to create a flow in which a skate park or training facility is built in the village, and new sports fans and athletes gather there, leading to regional revitalization.
―Sports also have power as an initiative for regional revitalization.
Yudai: I think people are reconsidering their sense of values due to the impact of the infectious disease. As an example of that, it is said that bicycles are now entering a golden age in the world. Since 2012, we have been commissioned by a ski resort to build a MTB course using the slopes. I envisioned Nozawa becoming a year-round resort, not just in winter. When I think about making the best use of the characteristics of Nozawa's land, I think field sports such as cycling are one of our strengths.
The replacement of the Nagasaka gondola for the 2020-21 season has also given a boost, and it's becoming a really good flow. I'm thinking that I can finally liven up Nozawa's green season from here. In addition to cycling, there are also trail running, hiking, and playing with water, so I would like to make comprehensive proposals.
-How was the past year from becoming a member of the village council in April 2021 to the present (May 2022)?
Yuudai: Even in the busy days, I had a very fulfilling time, but the year went by in the blink of an eye. I gained a considerable amount of knowledge by deeply understanding the current situation of my favorite village and region and learning new things. At the village assembly, I asked questions and made proposals centering on things that I had been interested in for a long time and projects that came to me from inside and outside the village.
I think it will take time to take shape, but if you follow the specific steps, you will get a response. I think it was a year that led to the future. For example, the number of young people who had never attended the village assembly until now has increased, and the assembly will be broadcast nationwide online in the future.
▼ Yudai Ueno's blog
https://ameblo.jp/yutaueno-nozawa/entry-12735587284.html
―Do you have any future goals as a member of the Diet?
Yuudai: The coronavirus pandemic has made me realize how fragile it is that tourism is Nozawa's core industry. Nozawa Onsen Village, which is supported by tourism resources, believes that climate change and renewable energy are important projects that cannot wait. However, I can't do anything with my own strength. I would like to increase the number of younger generations who will think and act together with us about the future of Nozawa Onsen.
As a result of tenaciously suggesting initiatives, we received permission to set up a group that could be called a "future conference" to be built by the younger generation. I would like to create an environment and develop human resources that can convey individual opinions more, thinking that the young generation will lead the future, mainly related to all 17 goals "SDGs" including renewable energy and environmental issues. thinking about.
―It feels like you are heading towards the future!
Yuudai: I feel that the Congress can change things for the better by getting more people interested. If the visitors to Nozawa are also interested, I think that the convenience of the village will improve and we will be able to take an approach that will make it a more attractive place, so it would be nice if they would be interested. . I have a suggestion box on my website as a member of the Diet, so I would like to receive various opinions.
▼Ueno Yuta's website and contact form
www.yuta-ueno.com
The future drawn by grandeur
―Finally, please tell us about your vision.
Yuudai: In my 40s, I have gained more experience and learned a lot. I want to grow as much as possible in my 40s, and I want to do my best to contribute to the community. I think that the 40s and 50s is the best time to incorporate the opinions of both young people and seniors in a well-balanced manner.
It's been more than ten years since the Compass project kicked off, but I feel that the message of "making skiing more fun and free" and the development of stores and businesses that accompanies it are now quite complete, as I envisioned at the beginning. There is. From now on, we will improve the accuracy even more, and in addition to providing good service to our customers, we will also provide an environment where our family, friends, and employees who have believed in us and followed us on the same boat can spend their lives happier. I would like to create
―Do you have a favorite saying or words that you cherish?
Yuudai: Even now, in my daily life and at work, I keep in mind the words that I have been upholding since the launch of the Compass project. From the late twenties to the early thirties, the goal is to make skiing more fun and free.
After that, in my broadened horizons, I thought that the same could be said for all things, so I started proposing snowboarding and summer activities with the idea of "more fun and more freedom." And now that I am in my 40s, I am always conscious of "better". This is also in line with the point of "building a better village" that was clearly stated at the time of the election.
The goal of “better” is to feel happy, excited, excited, smiling, and having fun. And freedom in which individuality and diversity are respected.
Therefore, what I am conscious of every day is "more fun, more freedom, and better than now." As a concrete action for that purpose, I would like to have an open ear to listen to the voices of people around me who have a wide range of ages, thoughts, and personalities. For business, I want to hear the voices of staff and customers, and for households, my family. And I want to continue to have a soft heart and mind that can accept the important things that I learn.
A professional skier, a businessman, a member of the village council, a family member, and a soft heart that supports his super-busy days, along with his persistent beliefs and actions. Yudai Ueno's challenge to change will continue. I want to be interested in the future of Nozawa Onsen.
[Profile]
Yuta Ueno Yuta Ueno
Born in 1981 in Nozawa Onsen Village, Nagano Prefecture Graduated from
Juntendo University Sports and Health Science Department
Member of Nozawa Onsen Village Assembly Director of Nozawa Onsen Tourism Association Director of Nozawa Onsen Ski Club Father of 3 children
Dream Co.
Ship representative. Based in Nozawa Onsen Village, we operate 3 sports-related stores and 1 restaurant tenant under the slogan of "more fun and more freedom". Regenerate and utilize vacant houses in the village. Contribute to regional revitalization by developing businesses that lead to measures to deal with vacant houses and promote employment, which are issues in rural areas. He is also involved in human resource development as the chief coach of the Nozawa Onsen Junior Ski Club elementary school team.
Photo courtesy of Descente
@descente_ski_jp #descente #descenteski