In the “Regional Revitalization and Urban Development ,” appointing a project leader and various specialists are essential in putting the project into practice. With the commentary by Yoshito Kimura of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry , taking “Nagato Yumoto Onsen ” ? a large-scale urban development and landscape guidelines were set and practices of organizing social experiment progressed ? as one case-study, we discussed the administrative methods including the role, process, and administration from the ministerial point of view. At the same time, we discussed the “role of illumination” in both the soft and hard aspects with Shiho Nagamachi , the moderator.

The mayor having consulted Hoshino Resorts about utilizing vacant lots caused by abandoned Japanese inns in the middle of the hot spring resort which had become the issue, both public and private projects started for the necessity of implementing a plan and a concept from the city as a whole — not from a single idea. Nagamachi explained the background about the situation when Kimura took the mayor’s office and was to understand the situation of the city, where the number of tourists had decreased to less than 200,000 from nearly 400,000 at the peak period.

Kimura recalls the feeling of despair he had at the time of his appointment, from the sight of Japanese inns dismantled and became empty; and thought the situation would only be worse if nothing were done. To tackle this, the urban development plan was established to take advantage of resources in Nagato Yumoto Onsen as a core. Moreover, the key in this plan was not the idea that the demand will correspond to just building something but determining from the “users’ perspective” to ensure the actual use and continuous business and implementing one plan at a time.To that end, he launched the design and promotion conferences in his belief that a solid promotion system was necessary. The design conference was held once a month with the government employees, local residents, a project leader functioning as the headquarter of supervision, landscape designer, night illumination specialists, local players, and financial institutions. Furthermore, decision making and social experiment were implemented after a series of exchanging ideas and workshops with local residents.

Above all, he realized the importance of promoting social experiments and projects in public and private sectors was to create a sense of unity and empathy. A major trigger was the demolition of a dilapidated building for the reconstruction of the public bath “Onto.” Prior to the demolition, local volunteers held a handmade event “Thanks ONTO” to conceptualize gratitude to ONTO that has been cherished by the locals, and the spatial images they sought to realize in the future. The illumination was jointly carried out with Nagamachi as the most glorious farewell to ONTO, which struck the chord with many people involved how much illumination could transform the bridge and surrounding trees that were usually dark. Everyone, including specialists and young people, shared such pleasant surprise through collaborating as one team in their precious place.

In this effort, Kimura says he felt the beauty of illumination. It can make us realize that there is such a power in lighting to give a new value to the old and cherished things. For those who are involved in illumination industry that can rediscover and draw out the attractiveness of the resources unique to the region, we hope that they would contribute to play an active part vigorously in the urban development.

【Date & Time】14:15‒15:15, March 7, 2019
【Venue】Room 102, 1F, Conference Tower, Tokyo Big Sight
【Speaker】Yoshito Kimura, Deputy Director, Commerce and Information Policy Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
【Moderator】Shiho Nagamachi, President, LEM DESIGN STUDIO Co.,Ltd.
【Organizers】IALD Japan, JLMA, Nikkei Inc.

Profile

Yoshito Kimura

"2007 Graduated from the University of Tokyo law department
2007 Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry entered
2015 Nagato City Economic Tourism Dept. Director / Growth Strategy
He promoted ""Nagato Yumoto Onsen Tourism Town Planning Project"" as a project that appointed diverse experts.
From 2018 the present position"

Shiho Nagamachi

"Graduated from Kyoto Institute of Technology
Visiting Professor, Kyoto Art and Design University
Osaka city · Kobe city scenery council committee member.
Achievements ""Kobe City Flower Road, Meriken Park"" ""Dojima Bridge"" ""Town Planning for Amanohashidate"" ""Mizuki Shigeru Road Renewal"" etc."