Bandai Town Mayor Junichi Sato Experiences the Deep World of Bandai Mountain's Famous Water and Whisky on YouTube Show 'Mayor Tries ○○'

Ichini Corporation (headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo; President and CEO: Takashi Takahata), which operates Japan's largest political and election portal site 'Senkyo.com,' is launching a YouTube program titled 'Mayor Tries ○○,' where local mayors challenge various projects to promote their municipalities.

Episode 47 features Junichi Sato, Mayor of Bandai Town, Fukushima Prefecture!

On July 15, the 47th episode of 'Mayor Tries ○○' was released, featuring Junichi Sato, mayor of Bandai Town, Fukushima Prefecture, promoting the town's charm from in front of Michi-no-Eki Bandai.

Bandai Town, Fukushima Prefecture, is a nature-rich town located at the foot of Mount Bandai. Surrounded by the famous Mount Bandai and Lake Inawashiro, it is a popular destination for outdoor and winter sports. The town also boasts historical and cultural assets such as the nationally designated historic site of Eijitsu-ji Temple ruins, as well as abundant water resources including 'Ryugazawa Spring,' selected as one of Japan's 'Top 100 Famous Waters.' In recent years, the town has actively promoted regional digital transformation (DX), striving to realize 'town development coexisting with digital technology.'

In this episode of 'Mayor Tries ○○,' the mayor visited 'Tenkyo Distillery,' the first whisky distillery in the Aizu region, focusing on the theme of 'the blessings of Mount Bandai’s water.' After learning about the craftsmanship and production process of whisky-making, the long-awaited tasting session began. The mayor deeply appreciated the rich flavor of whisky crafted using the region's pristine spring water.

Additionally, the program explored the 'Bandai Town Citizens’ Happiness Project,' which aims to achieve 'happiness for all citizens' and create a town where future generations want to live, by actively utilizing digital technology to gather individual residents’ conditions for happiness.

'Water, Water, and Water!' are essential for whisky production. The meeting of Mount Bandai’s blessed water, Ryugazawa Spring, and whisky! The mayor emphasized that by leveraging DX, they aim to understand each resident’s definition of happiness and achieve 'happiness for all citizens.'

Background of 'Mayor Tries ○○'

The need for municipal public relations has never been greater. There are two main reasons.

First, municipalities must convey their charm to people outside the region—residents, tourists, and media professionals. In April 2024, a private expert group, the 'Population Strategy Council,' released an analysis stating that 744 municipalities—about 40% of all municipalities—could see a 50% decline in women aged 20–30 by 2050, potentially leading to their 'eventual disappearance.' To prevent beloved hometowns from disappearing, attracting external resources such as hometown tax donations, tourists, migrants, and businesses has become an urgent priority.

Second, there is a growing need for municipal outreach to local residents. A 2023 post-election survey by the 'Bright Election Promotion Association' found that 54.1% of voters—the lowest on record—said they were unsure whom to vote for because they did not understand the candidates’ personalities or policies. Despite mayors being the most accessible and important politicians in daily life, there are too few opportunities for residents to learn about their work and character.

Responding to these needs, Ichini Corporation launched the YouTube program 'Mayor Tries ○○' in May 2024 to help people outside the region discover local charm and to increase opportunities for residents to learn about their mayors and local government initiatives.

We will continue to collaborate with mayors across Japan to promote regional attractions!

Biography: Junichi Sato, Mayor of Bandai Town, Fukushima Prefecture

Mayor Junichi Sato

Date of Birth

Born September 9, 1961

Career Summary

Graduated from the Faculty of Engineering, Nihon University

Joined Bandai Resort Development Co., Ltd. (currently operating Hoshino Resorts Alts Bandai)

June 2015: First elected to Bandai Town Council

June 2019: Ran for mayor of Bandai Town and won unopposed

June 2023: Re-elected mayor of Bandai Town (currently serving second term)

Previous Mayoral Appearances

Previous episodes of 'Mayor Tries ○○' can be viewed below.

🔽 Full Playlist: 'Mayor Tries ○○'

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHAYaGZq5IzXj8vUvJuj99xsuCM6VVHh1

Episode 1: Kazuki Tanabe, Mayor of Kohoku City, Fukuoka Prefecture https://youtu.be/o8Ei65NuV-A

Episode 2: Takashi Watanabe, Mayor of Higashimurayama City, Tokyo https://youtu.be/OHq-04P2f1Q

Episode 3: Gen Nakagawa, Mayor of Nara City, Nara Prefecture https://youtu.be/fpEczbgJSn4

Episode 4: Toshiichi Ueno, Mayor of Satsuma Town, Kagoshima Prefecture https://youtu.be/Cwb6SjYthoo

Episode 5: Hideyuki Sagokawa, Mayor of Kyokuto Town, Hokkaido https://youtu.be/ULFvaY8SGRs

Episode 6: Toshiro Maruyama, Mayor of Hakuba Village, Nagano Prefecture https://youtu.be/pW8gJJ4NQoY

Episode 7: Hideto Okamura, Mayor of Obu City, Aichi Prefecture https://youtu.be/wgxYhaYf_S8

Episode 8: Ryo Harada, Mayor of Minoh City, Osaka Prefecture https://youtu.be/F_A59bsl2Go

Episode 9: Masayoshi Hashizume, Mayor of Shima City, Mie Prefecture https://youtu.be/tT7J5xlpuOU

Episode 10: Tomoya Yamamoto, Mayor of Mutsu City, Aomori Prefecture https://youtu.be/Uo94cV44VTA

Episode 11: Motanari Yagisawa, Mayor of Miharu Town, Fukushima Prefecture https://youtu.be/HOPZ2lnIr7k

Episode 12: Kazutaka Yamamoto, Governor of Gunma Prefecture https://youtu.be/edfRBedyoL0

Episode 13: Toshiro Ishii, Mayor of Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture https://youtu.be/QHnnFFUbpKo

Episode 14: Susumu Yamamoto, Mayor of Higashikagura Town, Hokkaido https://youtu.be/ac9xkthLsig

Episode 15: Takashi Minato, Mayor of Yurihonjo City, Akita Prefecture https://youtu.be/JaniHAvlzXo

Episode 16: Kengo Fujishiro, Mayor of Inzai City, Chiba Prefecture https://youtu.be/vhH7v5U-g4M

Episode 17: Kyoji Matsunaga, Mayor of Marugame City, Kagawa Prefecture https://youtu.be/Q6MzZyYGOvY

Episode 18: Yoshito Kinoshita, Mayor of Tamba Village, Yamanashi Prefecture https://youtu.be/MVbQ5t84WKs

Episode 19: Yasushi Takahashi, Mayor of Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture https://youtu.be/5VzE2zt99T4

Episode 20: Masashi Ishikawa, Mayor of Tsukumi City, Oita Prefecture https://youtu.be/4Z9aDXSx2YI

Episode 21: Shigeki Miura, Mayor of Kaiyo Town, Tokushima Prefecture https://youtu.be/rGJCMKZnHo8

Episode 22: Atsushi Yamamoto, Mayor of Kasagi Town, Kyoto Prefecture https://youtu.be/pgMCDcAHFuk

Episode 23: Takashi Hara, Mayor of Yoshinogawa City, Tokushima Prefecture https://youtu.be/1xghednIKA4

Episode 24: Akitsugu Kamoda, Mayor of Maizuru City, Kyoto Prefecture https://youtu.be/Xj0j8mBfGLc

Episode 25: Hisato Tamaki, Mayor of Arida City, Wakayama Prefecture https://youtu.be/BbRLB8dcnWs

Episode 26: Toru Shirai, Mayor of Koganei City, Tokyo https://youtu.be/v521n_q