Kasuya Town Mayor Akira Hakata Tries Out an AI Bus Summoned by Smartphone on YouTube Program "What the Mayor Tried Doing"

Ichini Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, President: Taku Takahata), which operates "Senkyo.com," Japan's largest political and election portal site, is distributing the YouTube program "What the Mayor Tried Doing", where mayors across the country take on various challenges to promote their municipalities.

■Episode 36 Features Akira Hakata, Mayor of Kasuya Town, Fukuoka Prefecture!

In the episode of "What the Mayor Tried Doing" released on March 26th, Akira Hakata, the mayor of Kasuya Town, Fukuoka Prefecture, appears to promote the charms of Kasuya Town along with the town's character "Kasutama-chan."

Kasuya Town in Fukuoka Prefecture is a town with high transportation convenience, adjacent to Fukuoka City. Multiple JR lines run through the town, creating a convenient environment for commuting and attending school. Nature and urban functions are in harmony, and places of relaxation such as Kayocho Park offer seasonal scenery. The town is also focusing on enhancing childcare support and educational environments, making it a highly-rated region for people of all ages to live. In recent years, the town has been advancing town development utilizing digital technology, such as the introduction of AI on-demand buses.

In this episode of "What the Mayor Tried Doing," Mayor Hakata calls an AI on-demand bus, "Noruto Kasuya," and travels around Kasuya Town!

He also explores the charm of Kasuya Town, known for its many bakeries and a large young population, by creating art using pruned roses from the rose garden at Kayocho Park.

■Background of "What the Mayor Tried Doing"

The need for municipal public relations is higher than ever. There are two main reasons for this.

First, it is necessary to convey the appeal of the region to people living outside the area, tourists, and media personnel. In April 2024, the "Population Strategy Council," a private expert group, reported that in 40% of municipalities nationwide, a total of 744, the number of women aged 20 to 30 could halve by 2050, potentially leading to their "eventual disappearance"...