[Iruma City, Saitama Prefecture] For 32 Years, Citizen Awards Known Only to Insiders. Going Public This Year.

Iruma City in Saitama Prefecture is widely broadcasting its citizen award system, which has continued since 1994, starting this year.

At the "Reiwa 8 Iruma Citizen's Charter Promotion Council General Meeting" held at the city hall on Friday, April 24, 2026, 5 individuals and 4 organizations were awarded for their long-standing activities in the fields of social service, nature conservation, and healthy youth development. Along with taking a commemorative photo of the awardees, the city is issuing a press release about it for the first time.

Iruma City will celebrate the 60th anniversary of its municipal organization on November 1, 2026. At this milestone marking 60 years of walking alongside its citizens, the city has decided to share the activities of its citizens, which previously had few opportunities to be widely reported, with the outside world. Broadcasting the awards for practitioners of the Citizen's Charter, which has been ongoing for many years, is one of the initiatives starting this year.

In an era where it is said that the number of people undertaking community activities is decreasing, there are still those who continue to take action. The city wanted to start by letting as many people as possible know this fact.

April 24, 2026, 5th floor of Building C, Iruma City Hall. The moment smiles broke out during the commemorative photo after the award ceremony.

1. The Spring We Decided Not to Keep It Among Insiders

The Iruma Citizen's Charter was enacted on June 1, 1974. "Love nature," "obey the rules," "work healthily," "cultivate culture," and "help each other" - these five behavioral goals, which can be called the constitution of the town, serve as watchwords for civic life.

The award system that honors those who practice these ideals in their daily lives has continued for about 32 years since the enforcement of the award guidelines in November 1994. Four individuals and three organizations were awarded in fiscal 2025, and five individuals and four organizations were awarded this fiscal year.

However, until now, the awards were concluded among the stakeholders who attended the general meeting. Opportunities to widely convey the activities of the awardees to citizens and the press had not been provided.

This year, after repeated discussions in the Regional Promotion Division, they arrived at a single thought.

"It is a waste that only insiders know about the activities of these people."

Therefore, they decided to take a commemorative photo in conjunction with the award ceremony and issue a press release for the first time as a city. The award system itself is not changing. Still, opening up a system that has continued for 32 years to the outside is positioned as an important step for the city.

Iruma City will celebrate its 60th anniversary of municipal organization on November 1, 2026. As a milestone to give thanks for the 60 years built with citizens and to step into the next era, the city will deliver the accumulated activities of its citizens in the community more widely than ever before.

2. What 5 Individuals and 4 Organizations Have Continued in Their Respective Places

There is no superiority in the order of introduction. These are people who have accumulated time in their respective fields that no one else can replace.

*Years of activity are as of November 1, 2025.

[Social Service Activities]

Isako Okajima

(Over 19 years of activity)

Operates the "Iruma Station Plaza Fureai Ikiiki Salon." She personally recruited 10 specialized volunteers, such as nurses living in the Iruma Station Plaza, and has continued a salon for about 2 hours once a month. She has created a place for community exchange and health promotion.

Motokazu Kobayashi

(Over 23 years of activity)

Established the Iruma City Kayou (Popular Song) Association in 2002. Since then, he has continuously provided venues for singing and dancing performances, such as the "Kayou Festival," popular song workshops, and new year singing events. Through music and performing arts, he has supported citizens' lifelong learning and physical and mental health maintenance.

Miyoko Tokunaga

(Over 11 years of activity)

As President of the Kurosu Culture Association, she promoted the exhibition of works by various groups and students and the development of performing arts at the district cultural festival. Since 2015, she has also worked on revitalizing the community as Vice President of the Toyooka District Kita 6-ku Neighborhood Association.

Iruma City Visually Impaired Guide Help Association 'Aiai' (Over 28 years of activity / 11 members)

Since its establishment in 1997, it has supported visually impaired people with going out and cooperated with welfare experience learning at elementary and junior high schools in the city. In addition to monthly regular meetings, they participate in individual outing support and city events such as the Health and Welfare Center Festival, promoting the social participation of the visually impaired and local welfare.

Seibu District 3-ku Crime Prevention Patrol Department

(Over 19 years of activity / 25 members)

Since 2006, they have continuously watched over children and students going to school at 7 locations in the Seibu district. They also handle traffic control at neighborhood association events, continuing to move for crime prevention activities in the district.

Fujisawa 6-ku Crime Prevention Patrol Team

(Over 22 years of activity / 134 members)

Since 2003, they have unfailingly conducted patrols twice a week within the Fujisawa 6-ku area. With a large-scale system of 134 members, they have prevented crimes before they happen and supported "ordinary days with nothing happening."

[Nature Conservation Activities]

Iruma City Botanical Art Club

(Over 26 years of activity / 10 members)

Since 1999, they have continuously drawn plants in the city as botanical art, meeting 1-2 times a month at the Youth Activity Center...