Posting Effect!

The signature campaign calling for the cancellation of the large-scale wind power generation project in Iitaka-cho, Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture, is finally nearing its end.
We started at the end of the year, gradually expanding from within Iitaka-cho, and while conducting electronic signatures in parallel, support has been growing based on human connections.
In the count at the beginning of February, it was a little over 4,000, and at the beginning of March, it was still just over 8,000, so I wondered what would happen, but in the April count, the cumulative total exceeded 16,000, and it has increased rapidly since then.
Since we originally set the end of April as a milestone, some of it is because our collaborators delivered a large amount in the latter half of April, but
the posting activities in the neighboring Iinan-cho and within Matsusaka City are also having an effect.

What is posting activity?

It is an activity where volunteers go around putting flyers and signature sheets into mailboxes, along with request documents for each region, and in the case of distant areas, envelopes with the address already stamped.

If even one in ten returns, that would be good. If our thoughts reach people we had no connection with, that would be good. Regardless, we want many people to know about this and ask for their help. We want them to know that this plan is not just for distant areas, but actually has a major impact on other towns and urban areas as well. With that in mind, those who could make time have been doing steady posting activities, coordinating their efforts and schedules.

Going around to hundreds or thousands of places, asking people in the neighborhood who might be able to coordinate, and paying attention to details—the activity was not easy.

However, because we took action, there is something to receive.
From the brown envelopes arriving one after another, we can receive strength.

Although we include envelopes, we cannot follow up until they are mailed. It cannot be helped if they are thrown away without a second thought even if they are put in the mailbox. Even so, there are not a few people who read them, agree with the purpose, fill out the signature, and mail them. The fact that there are names of people with different addresses is because they reached out to them.

I cannot thank everyone individually, but I am truly grateful.

The signature collection is truly in its final stages now. If we had more time, we might have collected more, but within this period, the fact that one signature after another of support is being delivered from urban areas and neighboring cities and towns regarding the situation in Iitaka-cho, at the edge of Matsusaka City, is the result of those who could do what they could. The result of using our heads and limbs to the fullest, and moving forward while facing the future despite our anxieties, is about to become a number.

Will the business operators be able to understand that this much interest has gathered? Will they realize that it is better to turn back sooner rather than later?

Perhaps it is time for them to realize, albeit late, that the tide of the times is changing, and that people have the power to notice and build connections.

I do not know if our voices will reach them, but to everyone who has sent us their thoughts, thank you very much. And with gratitude to the postal workers who are running around every day.

The next report will be the final results!