Itako City Mayor Hiromichi Hara Challenges Traditional Rowing on YouTube Program "Shucho to OO Yattemita"

Ichini, Inc., the operator of the major political and election portal site "Election Dot Com," produces the YouTube program "Shucho to OO Yattemita," where mayors from across Japan take on various challenges to promote their municipalities.

44th Episode: Mayor Hiromichi Hara of Itako City, Ibaraki Prefecture!

In the episode released on June 5, Mayor Hiromichi Hara of Itako City, Ibaraki Prefecture, appeared rowing a traditional boat on the Maekawa River, showcasing the charm of Itako City accompanied by a boat song.

Itako City is a "water town" surrounded by rich waterfront environments such as Lake Kasumigaura, Lake Kitaura, and the Hitachi-Tone River. It is famous for its traditional scenery and the "Suigo Itako Iris Festival," where visitors are captivated by blooming irises and the traditional "bride's boat." While agriculture remains its core industry, the city is also actively promoting tourism and advancing DX (Digital Transformation) initiatives utilizing digital technology.

In this episode, in addition to introducing the water town culture of Itako, Mayor Hara took on the challenge of rowing. He also passionately spoke about local gourmet food using the specialty product "Makomo" and the city's future vision for town development. The 75th Suigo Itako Iris Festival is currently being held from May 22 to June 21.

Background The importance of municipal PR is increasing from two perspectives: measures against municipalities at risk of disappearance and deepening the understanding of mayors and policies by residents. By communicating directly through YouTube, the program aims to expand awareness among people outside the region and strengthen communication with residents.