Ginzan Town Fairy Tales (Episode 15)

Side Story 1: The Mayor's Office (Autumn, 1990)

After a light knock, General Affairs Division Manager Kimura entered the mayor's office. Knowing he had been called in alone, without Section Chief Munakata, he expected the topic to be that project with the lagging progress, and that the conversation would be heavy, so his body stiffened with tension.
"Manager Kimura, I apologize for calling you in when you're busy. I'm sure you can guess why I called you: it's about the 'Hometown Creation Project' that we postponed for a year."
Kimura bowed deeply and apologized.
"I am terribly sorry. We have been carefully considering how to implement a project suitable for our town, but I am deeply ashamed that we could not make it operational within this fiscal year."
The mayor continued in a tone calmer than Kimura had expected.
"I don't intend to blame only you, Manager Kimura. But it is difficult when I cannot fulfill my accountability to the townspeople or when other mayors ask me, 'What kind of project is Ginzan Town doing?' It seems likely to have a negative impact on the next mayoral election as well. You understand my difficult position, don't you?"
The mayor wore a bitter smile, but his eyes were not smiling.
"Of course, sir. I will instruct Section Chief Munakata to expedite the planning."
The mayor turned serious and fell silent. A cold sweat ran down Kimura's back.
"I also reflect on the fact that I left it entirely up to you. It is a difficult task to start a project with no precedent from scratch."
The mayor tilted his head and peered into Kimura's face. Kimura felt a heat in the core of his body.
"I am humbled by your concern."
He bowed his head again.
"So, well, I didn't call you here to tell you to do exactly as I say, but I wanted to provide an idea, or perhaps a topic. Don't you think the beautiful nature of our Ginzan Town—the water, the forests, the woodlands—is a place worthy of 'fairies' living in it? For example, what do you think about carrying out the 'Hometown Creation Project' with a concept of a 'Hometown Where Fairies Live,' focusing on town revitalization and tourism-based industrial promotion? I would like to hear your frank opinion."
"As expected of you, sir. It is true that for us, this scenery is too familiar and taken for granted, but you have made me realize that our town's nature is a wonderful asset worthy of fairies living here."
The mayor smiled happily, looking satisfied.
"No, well, I was talking to a British lecturer the other day and realized it anew. After all, those on the inside and outsiders have different perspectives, and there are interesting discoveries to be made."
Kimura kept a stiff expression and bowed respectfully in response.
"You are absolutely right."
"So, here is another topic. I hear we aren't planning to hire any staff next fiscal year, but why don't we hire one full-time employee to be in charge of the 'Hometown Creation Project'? It is said that 'outsiders, young people, and fools' are necessary for town revitalization."
Kimura's expression clouded over.
"If I may say so, most new graduates have already secured their job offers by this time of year, so I don't think we can expect many applicants for a town staff position."
The small municipality on the western edge of Fukushima Prefecture is very unpopular as a place to work. Even when they post job openings, they don't get decent talent. They struggle with recruitment plans every year, and Kimura could not easily agree.
"Changing the subject, I want to confirm first that no unnecessary reading between the lines is needed. I spoke with the president of Tanaka Produce, one of the major companies in Koriyama City, the other day, and it seems his son hasn't found a job yet. President Tanaka would rather have him gain experience in a place unrelated to his own company, such as a local government, than have him work at his own or related companies."
"He is also very interested in our town's specialty, red pumpkins and other local vegetables, and seems to be considering expanding trade volume. Well, that was just small talk, so Manager Kimura doesn't need to worry about it in particular."
"To return to the subject, why don't you consider hiring staff to realize the 'Hometown Creation Project'?"
Kimura thought while bowing his head.
(Yes, yes, we'll hold an employment exam. Section Chief Munakata will probably make a sour face, but since it's Section Chief Munakata's own responsibility for not being able to plan the 'Hometown Creation Project' well in the first place, it's a fair trade of responsibility.)
(That said, aside from internal office work, it was impossible to have Section Chief Munakata in charge of work like 'town revitalization.' Should I place the newly hired staff in the Planning Division, push the work itself onto the Planning Division, and convince Section Chief Munakata? Should I explain to Planning Division Manager Iida that it's a 'mayoral directive' and get him to accept it?)
"Thank you for your very valuable advice. I will immediately take action regarding the 'Hometown Where Fairies Live Project' and the 'staff recruitment.' Also, to promote the content you advised, may I adjust the jurisdiction of the project and the personnel structure internally?"
Kimura replied with a bright expression.
"I'll leave the details to you. Thank you. You may go."
(Yes, I've received the words 'I'll leave it to you.')
"Then, if you'll excuse me."
On the face of Kimura, who bowed deeply, was a smile like that of a villain, not a bureaucrat.

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