Enhancing Corporate Value Through 'Design Management.' We Want to Foster a Place Where People and Businesses Connect in Amakusa!

We are recruiting new Regional Revitalization Cooperation Team members and interns!
Recruitment information is available on the Amakusa City website, as well as weekly on "Mitsubachi Radio" (FM88.8MHz) every Tuesday at 13:15, and will be distributed to Amakusa City hometown residents on a timely basis.

＜Regional Revitalization Cooperation Team Member＞
(1) [Application Deadline: April 30 (Thursday)] 1 person, assigned to the Citizen Environment Division (Dolphin Researcher)
For details, click here ➡ https://www.city.amakusa.kumamoto.jp/kiji00314056/index.html

＜Regional Revitalization Cooperation Team Intern＞
(1) [Open Recruitment] Approximately 18 people for Ushibuka Life Study
For details, click here ➡ https://www.city.amakusa.kumamoto.jp/kiji00313863/index.html
(2) [Application Deadline: April 30 (Thursday)] 5 people for Indie Game Intern
For details, click here ➡ https://www.city.amakusa.kumamoto.jp/kiji00314088/index.html
(3) [Application Deadline: April 30 (Thursday)] Approximately 4 people for Goshoura Regional Revitalization Cooperation Team Intern
For details, click here ➡ https://www.city.amakusa.kumamoto.jp/kiji00314097/index.html

"I decided to move first, then chose the life I wanted in Amakusa."

— First, please tell us about the reason for moving to Amakusa.

"I had already decided to move to Amakusa before applying for the cooperation team. I wanted to live surrounded by nature, and I had a strong desire to make sweets using rice flour and vegetables in Amakusa. An Amakusa friend told me about the recruitment for the cooperation team, and I applied after reviewing the details."

Ms. Hosokuni chose to take on the challenge as a Regional Revitalization Cooperation Team member after deciding to relocate her home base to Amakusa. In this interview, she frankly shared her real feelings about life and work in Amakusa, and her engagement with the theme of "design management."

— We asked about your mission (work) as a cooperation team member.

Ms. Hosokuni's main duties are broadly divided into two categories:
(1) Establishment and operation of a Design Council: Promotion of design management, planning of training sessions, formation of a local designer community, matching designers with companies, etc.
(2) Operation of Amakusa City's "Design Producer Dojo" (operational support)

"When people hear the word 'design,' they might strongly associate it with 'visuals' like logos or flyers. However, I view design as a 'way of thinking that enhances corporate value.' I feel that to build this foundation in Amakusa, we first need to start with helping people understand it."

— Looking back on the year and a half since your appointment, how do you feel?

My appointment was July 1, Reiwa 6.
"The first year was largely spent learning about administrative work processes and rules. The language and way of thinking were different from the private sector, and I was bewildered at first."

Especially in the first year, there were times when she felt frustrated due to changes in personnel and fluctuations in the interpretation of the mission, which prevented her from progressing as she wished.

"There were periods where it was difficult to see what was being asked of me or where the goal was, and I felt pressure. However, since entering the second year, communication has increased, and I've started to feel a sense of gradually organizing things and moving forward."

Currently, rather than "rushing to act alone," she prioritizes building momentum by preparing behind the scenes with key local figures and executing at the right time.

— What have you gained through your activities?

"Travel expenses" were a significant portion of the activity budget.
Ms. Hosokuni emphasizes learning about design management not just by "understanding it through words" but by actually visiting sites and experiencing the atmosphere.

"I visited lectures and initiatives in other regions to experience 'what kind of event creation was happening' and 'what the local atmosphere was like.' Successful cases cannot necessarily be copied directly and succeed in Amakusa, so I want to translate them into a form that suits Amakusa."

She sometimes travels with business owners from Amakusa, and the time spent "thinking together on the same level" is a source of positive feedback that leads to future steps.

— We asked about your life in the region.

Ms. Hosokuni actively participates in local events.
Activities like sports days and weeding are part of her daily life not as official duties but as "involvement as a local resident."
"I thought I came here to relax, but it's surprisingly busy. But I'm grateful for that. I feel like I'm being integrated into the community."

She lives in a detached house and has also set up a workshop in her dirt-floored room. She has developed recipes for "Komekoro-yaki" (rice flour and vegetable sweets) and continues this food-related activity as a side business (sometimes preparing ingredients the morning of an event and bringing them). "My underlying motivation is to create dishes that highlight the deliciousness and nutrients of vegetables. I also incorporate seasonal flavors from vegetables grown in my own garden (like fava beans)."

— What are your recommended ways to enjoy yourself outside of work hours?

She told us about her enjoyment of hot springs and food.
"Going to the hot springs every Sunday evening is my routine. If I go east, there's Amakusa Yura-kuen, and if I go west, there's Shimoda Onsen. It's nice to have choices. Amakusa is also wonderful because the fish is delicious."

The fact that she has time to organize her life allows her to continue her work. We could feel her down-to-earth Amakusa lifestyle.

— You are at the halfway point since your appointment. How will you spend the remaining term?

"Honestly, I still feel like I haven't reached 'what I want to achieve.' But I believe it takes time to take root in a community. That's why, in the latter half of my term, I want to firmly establish the pillars of "design management."

Ms. Hosokuni redefines her cooperation team term not as 'three years of rushing for results,' but as 'three years of building a foundation to take root in the community,' and continues to build preparations and dialogue.

— Message to those aiming to become cooperation team members in Amakusa City.

"The local people are all kind. So, I hope you can live here with a good sense of distance. The key is, naturally, to greet people with a smile. You'll find yourself knowing more and more people."

On the other hand, she also frankly shared the difficulties unique to being a cooperation team member.
"As a cooperation team member, you always feel like you are being observed 'as a cooperation team member.' If your mission lacks clear goals, it can feel even more challenging. But I want to prioritize enjoying it. If I can enjoy it myself, I believe it will surely be conveyed to those around me."

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