Minamiawaji Mayor Norihiro Morimoto Challenges Awaji Ningyo Joruri on YouTube Program "Mayors Try Doing..." to Appeal Local Charm!
Key facts
- Minamiawaji Mayor Norihiro Morimoto Challenges Awaji Ningyo Joruri on YouTube Program "Mayors Try Doing..." to Appeal Local Charm!
- Minamiawaji Mayor Norihiro Morimoto challenged Awaji Ningyo Joruri on the YouTube program "Mayors Try Doing..." to promote the local charm. The program features traditional performing arts experiences and introductions to tourist spots, promoting Minamiawaji City's regional resources and administrative initiatives.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: June 12, 2026
Direct answer
Minamiawaji Mayor Norihiro Morimoto challenged Awaji Ningyo Joruri on the YouTube program "Mayors Try Doing..." to promote the local charm. The program features traditional performing arts experiences and introductions to tourist spots, promoting Minamiawaji City's regional resources and administrative initiatives.
- Citation
- Minamiawaji Mayor Norihiro Morimoto Challenges Awaji Ningyo Joruri on YouTube Program "Mayors Try Doing..." to Appeal Local Charm! (June 12, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- June 12, 2026
Minamiawaji Mayor Norihiro Morimoto challenged Awaji Ningyo Joruri on the YouTube program "Mayors Try Doing..." to promote the local charm. The program features traditional performing arts experiences and introductions to tourist spots, promoting Minamiawaji City's regional resources and administrative initiatives.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 12, 2026 at 21:30
- 🔍 Collected: June 12, 2026 at 12:51
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 12, 2026 at 16:52 (4h 0m after Collected)
Ichini Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, President and CEO: Taku Hata), which operates "Senkyo.com," one of Japan's largest political and election portals, is distributing the YouTube program "Mayors Try Doing..." where mayors from across the country take on various challenges to promote their municipalities.
■ Episode 45 Features Mayor Norihiro Morimoto of Minamiawaji City, Hyogo Prefecture!
"Mayors Try Doing...", which began distribution on June 12th, features Mayor Norihiro Morimoto of Minamiawaji City, Hyogo Prefecture, who appeals the charms of Minamiawaji City in front of a sailing ship at Fukura Port.
Minamiawaji City, Hyogo Prefecture, is located at the southern tip of Awaji Island and is blessed with a warm climate and rich natural environment. It boasts the Naruto Strait, known for its world-class whirlpools, and possesses abundant regional resources unique to Awaji Island, such as beautiful coastal scenery and abundant seafood. Agriculture, including onions, as well as livestock and fisheries, are thriving, and the city plays a role as a leading food-producing region in Japan. Traditional culture, such as "Awaji Ningyo Joruri," is also passed down to this day. In recent years, the city has been promoting sustainable town development by enhancing education and disaster prevention measures and improving administrative services through the promotion of DX.
In this episode of "Mayors Try Doing...", the mayor and MC challenged Awaji Ningyo Joruri, a traditional performing art with a history of about 500 years, experiencing how three people manipulate one puppet. They also visited "Michi-no-Eki Uzushio" (Uzushio Roadside Station), introducing its original products and the charm of the spectacular Naruto Strait scenery. Furthermore, they discussed Minamiawaji City's future-oriented initiatives, including its educational policies aiming to be "Number 1 in the Joy of Learning," DX promotion, and disaster preparedness measures.
The key to making the puppets appear alive is to precisely synchronize the movements of the "eyes" and "hands"! The mayor stated that they are focusing on creating a town where people can have fun learning opportunities throughout the community, aiming to be "Number 1 in the Joy of Learning."
■ Background of "Mayors Try Doing..."
The necessity for municipal public relations is higher than ever. There are two main reasons for this.
First, it is essential to convey the charms of a region to people living outside the area, tourists, and media representatives. In April 2024, a private expert group, the "Population Strategy Conference," released an analysis stating that 744 municipalities, or 40% of the total, could face extinction by 2050 due to a halving of women aged 20-30. To protect their precious hometowns from "extinction," attracting people, tourists, new residents, and businesses from outside the region is an urgent issue.
Second, there is a need for public relations to the residents of the municipality. A survey conducted by the "Association for Promoting Bright Elections" after the 2023 unified local elections revealed that the percentage of voters who found it difficult to decide whom to vote for because they did not understand the candidates' personalities or policies was the lowest ever at 54.1%. Although municipal mayors are the closest and most important politicians to the lives of the residents, there are very few opportunities to learn about their work and personalities.
In response to this growing demand, "Mayors Try Doing..." was launched in May 2024 to provide opportunities for people outside the region to learn about the charms of their areas and for local residents to learn about the initiatives of their mayors and local government.
We will continue to disseminate the charms of regions across the country with the cooperation of mayors nationwide!
■ Biography: Norihiro Morimoto, Mayor of Minamiawaji City, Hyogo Prefecture
Mayor Norihiro Morimoto
Education
1984: Graduated from the Faculty of Law, University of Tokyo
1991: Graduated from the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, USA
Career
April 1984: Joined the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (now Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry)
February 2006 – August 2008: Director, Human Resources Policy Office, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
April 2011 – September 2012: Counselor, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy (Director, Nuclear Damage Response Office)
October 2012 – June 2013: Director, Small and Medium Enterprise Agency, Business Support Department
July 2013 – June 2016: Director, Tohoku Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry
Mayoral Terms
February 13, 2017 – February 12, 2021 (1st term)
February 13, 2021 – February 12, 2025 (2nd term)
February 13, 2025 – February 12, 2029 (3rd term)
• Hobbies: Hard tennis, programming
• Motto: "One skill leads to all skills."
■ Previous Mayoral Appearances
Previous episodes of "Mayors Try Doing..." can be viewed from the link below.
🔽 "Mayors Try Doing..." Full Episode List
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHAYaGZq5IzXj8vUvJuj99xsuCM6VVHh1
Episode 1: Mayor Ichiro Tanabe, Koga City, Fukuoka Prefecture https://youtu.be/o8Ei65NuV-A
Episode 2: Mayor Hisashi Watanabe, Higashimurayama City, Tokyo https://youtu.be/OHq-04P2f1Q
Episode 3: Mayor Gen Nakagawa, Nara City, Nara Prefecture https://youtu.be/fpEczbgJSn4
Episode 4: Mayor Shunichi Ueno, Satsuma Town, Kagoshima Prefecture https://youtu.be/Cwb6SjYthoo
Episode 5: Mayor Hidenori Sakao, Kyogoku Town, Hokkaido https://youtu.be/ULFvaY8SGRs
Episode 6: Mayor Toshio Maruyama, Hakuba Village, Nagano Prefecture https://youtu.be/pW8gJJ4NQoY
Episode 7: Mayor Hidetoshi Okamura, Obu City, Aichi Prefecture https://youtu.be/wgxYhaYf_S8
Episode 8: Mayor Ryo Harada, Minoh City, Osaka Prefecture https://youtu.be/F_A59bsl2Go
Episode 9: Mayor Masayoshi Hashizume, Shima City, Mie Prefecture https://youtu.be/tT7J5xlpuOU
Episode 10: Mayor Tomoya Yamamoto, Mutsu City, Aomori Prefecture https://youtu.be/Uo94cV44VTA
Episode 11: Mayor Genna Yazawa, Mishima Town, Fukushima Prefecture https://youtu.be/HOPZ2lnIr7k
Episode 12: Governor Kazuo Yamamoto, Gunma Prefecture https://youtu.be/edfRBedyoL0
Episode 13: Mayor Toshichiro Ishii, Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture https://youtu.be/QHnnFFUbpKo
Episode 14: Mayor Susumu Yamamoto, Higashikagura Town, Hokkaido https://youtu.be/ac9xkthLsig
Episode 15: Mayor Takanobu Minato, Yurihonjo City, Akita Prefecture https://youtu.be/JaniHAvlzXo
Episode 16: Mayor Kengo Fujishiro, Inzai City, Chiba Prefecture https://youtu.be/vhH7v5U-g4M
Episode 17: Mayor Kyoji Matsunaga, Marugame City, Kagawa Prefecture https://youtu.be/Q6MzZyYGOvY
Episode 18: Mayor Yoshito Kinoshita, Tabayama Village, Yamanashi Prefecture https://youtu.be/MVbQ5t84WKs
Episode 19: Mayor Yasushi Takahashi, Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture https://youtu.be/5VzE2zt99T4
Episode 20: Mayor Masashi Ishikawa, Tsukumi City, Oita Prefecture https://youtu.be/4Z9aDXSx2YI
Episode 21: Mayor Shigeki Miura, Kaiyo Town, Tokushima Prefecture https://youtu.be/rGJCMKZnHo8
Episode 22: Mayor Atsushi Yamamoto, Kasagi Town, Kyoto Prefecture https://youtu.be/pgMCDcAHFuk
Episode 23: Mayor Takashi Harai, Yoshinogawa City, Tokushima Prefecture https://youtu.be/1xghe
■ Episode 45 Features Mayor Norihiro Morimoto of Minamiawaji City, Hyogo Prefecture!
"Mayors Try Doing...", which began distribution on June 12th, features Mayor Norihiro Morimoto of Minamiawaji City, Hyogo Prefecture, who appeals the charms of Minamiawaji City in front of a sailing ship at Fukura Port.
Minamiawaji City, Hyogo Prefecture, is located at the southern tip of Awaji Island and is blessed with a warm climate and rich natural environment. It boasts the Naruto Strait, known for its world-class whirlpools, and possesses abundant regional resources unique to Awaji Island, such as beautiful coastal scenery and abundant seafood. Agriculture, including onions, as well as livestock and fisheries, are thriving, and the city plays a role as a leading food-producing region in Japan. Traditional culture, such as "Awaji Ningyo Joruri," is also passed down to this day. In recent years, the city has been promoting sustainable town development by enhancing education and disaster prevention measures and improving administrative services through the promotion of DX.
In this episode of "Mayors Try Doing...", the mayor and MC challenged Awaji Ningyo Joruri, a traditional performing art with a history of about 500 years, experiencing how three people manipulate one puppet. They also visited "Michi-no-Eki Uzushio" (Uzushio Roadside Station), introducing its original products and the charm of the spectacular Naruto Strait scenery. Furthermore, they discussed Minamiawaji City's future-oriented initiatives, including its educational policies aiming to be "Number 1 in the Joy of Learning," DX promotion, and disaster preparedness measures.
The key to making the puppets appear alive is to precisely synchronize the movements of the "eyes" and "hands"! The mayor stated that they are focusing on creating a town where people can have fun learning opportunities throughout the community, aiming to be "Number 1 in the Joy of Learning."
■ Background of "Mayors Try Doing..."
The necessity for municipal public relations is higher than ever. There are two main reasons for this.
First, it is essential to convey the charms of a region to people living outside the area, tourists, and media representatives. In April 2024, a private expert group, the "Population Strategy Conference," released an analysis stating that 744 municipalities, or 40% of the total, could face extinction by 2050 due to a halving of women aged 20-30. To protect their precious hometowns from "extinction," attracting people, tourists, new residents, and businesses from outside the region is an urgent issue.
Second, there is a need for public relations to the residents of the municipality. A survey conducted by the "Association for Promoting Bright Elections" after the 2023 unified local elections revealed that the percentage of voters who found it difficult to decide whom to vote for because they did not understand the candidates' personalities or policies was the lowest ever at 54.1%. Although municipal mayors are the closest and most important politicians to the lives of the residents, there are very few opportunities to learn about their work and personalities.
In response to this growing demand, "Mayors Try Doing..." was launched in May 2024 to provide opportunities for people outside the region to learn about the charms of their areas and for local residents to learn about the initiatives of their mayors and local government.
We will continue to disseminate the charms of regions across the country with the cooperation of mayors nationwide!
■ Biography: Norihiro Morimoto, Mayor of Minamiawaji City, Hyogo Prefecture
Mayor Norihiro Morimoto
Education
1984: Graduated from the Faculty of Law, University of Tokyo
1991: Graduated from the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, USA
Career
April 1984: Joined the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (now Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry)
February 2006 – August 2008: Director, Human Resources Policy Office, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
April 2011 – September 2012: Counselor, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy (Director, Nuclear Damage Response Office)
October 2012 – June 2013: Director, Small and Medium Enterprise Agency, Business Support Department
July 2013 – June 2016: Director, Tohoku Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry
Mayoral Terms
February 13, 2017 – February 12, 2021 (1st term)
February 13, 2021 – February 12, 2025 (2nd term)
February 13, 2025 – February 12, 2029 (3rd term)
• Hobbies: Hard tennis, programming
• Motto: "One skill leads to all skills."
■ Previous Mayoral Appearances
Previous episodes of "Mayors Try Doing..." can be viewed from the link below.
🔽 "Mayors Try Doing..." Full Episode List
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHAYaGZq5IzXj8vUvJuj99xsuCM6VVHh1
Episode 1: Mayor Ichiro Tanabe, Koga City, Fukuoka Prefecture https://youtu.be/o8Ei65NuV-A
Episode 2: Mayor Hisashi Watanabe, Higashimurayama City, Tokyo https://youtu.be/OHq-04P2f1Q
Episode 3: Mayor Gen Nakagawa, Nara City, Nara Prefecture https://youtu.be/fpEczbgJSn4
Episode 4: Mayor Shunichi Ueno, Satsuma Town, Kagoshima Prefecture https://youtu.be/Cwb6SjYthoo
Episode 5: Mayor Hidenori Sakao, Kyogoku Town, Hokkaido https://youtu.be/ULFvaY8SGRs
Episode 6: Mayor Toshio Maruyama, Hakuba Village, Nagano Prefecture https://youtu.be/pW8gJJ4NQoY
Episode 7: Mayor Hidetoshi Okamura, Obu City, Aichi Prefecture https://youtu.be/wgxYhaYf_S8
Episode 8: Mayor Ryo Harada, Minoh City, Osaka Prefecture https://youtu.be/F_A59bsl2Go
Episode 9: Mayor Masayoshi Hashizume, Shima City, Mie Prefecture https://youtu.be/tT7J5xlpuOU
Episode 10: Mayor Tomoya Yamamoto, Mutsu City, Aomori Prefecture https://youtu.be/Uo94cV44VTA
Episode 11: Mayor Genna Yazawa, Mishima Town, Fukushima Prefecture https://youtu.be/HOPZ2lnIr7k
Episode 12: Governor Kazuo Yamamoto, Gunma Prefecture https://youtu.be/edfRBedyoL0
Episode 13: Mayor Toshichiro Ishii, Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture https://youtu.be/QHnnFFUbpKo
Episode 14: Mayor Susumu Yamamoto, Higashikagura Town, Hokkaido https://youtu.be/ac9xkthLsig
Episode 15: Mayor Takanobu Minato, Yurihonjo City, Akita Prefecture https://youtu.be/JaniHAvlzXo
Episode 16: Mayor Kengo Fujishiro, Inzai City, Chiba Prefecture https://youtu.be/vhH7v5U-g4M
Episode 17: Mayor Kyoji Matsunaga, Marugame City, Kagawa Prefecture https://youtu.be/Q6MzZyYGOvY
Episode 18: Mayor Yoshito Kinoshita, Tabayama Village, Yamanashi Prefecture https://youtu.be/MVbQ5t84WKs
Episode 19: Mayor Yasushi Takahashi, Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture https://youtu.be/5VzE2zt99T4
Episode 20: Mayor Masashi Ishikawa, Tsukumi City, Oita Prefecture https://youtu.be/4Z9aDXSx2YI
Episode 21: Mayor Shigeki Miura, Kaiyo Town, Tokushima Prefecture https://youtu.be/rGJCMKZnHo8
Episode 22: Mayor Atsushi Yamamoto, Kasagi Town, Kyoto Prefecture https://youtu.be/pgMCDcAHFuk
Episode 23: Mayor Takashi Harai, Yoshinogawa City, Tokushima Prefecture https://youtu.be/1xghe
FAQ
What is the purpose of this YouTube program?
To promote the region to people outside the area and strengthen public relations to local residents.
What is the traditional culture of Minamiawaji City?
"Awaji Ningyo Joruri," with a history of about 500 years, is still passed down today.
What did the mayor experience on the program?
He experienced Awaji Ningyo Joruri and introduced the 'Michi-no-Eki Uzushio'.
Why is PR for local governments considered important?
To address the risk of extinction due to population decline and insufficient information dissemination to residents.
What is the main business of Ichini Co., Ltd.?
Operating the political and election portal site 'Senkyo.com'.