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Governor of Chiba Toshihito Kumagai

———First of all, please tell us about the circumstances behind holding Hyakunengo Art Festival.

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Chiba Prefecture, and we wanted to take this opportunity to create a wave of culture and art throughout the prefecture. Under these circumstances, Chiba Prefecture was able to connect with Takeshi Kobayashi and Fram Kitagawa, two people who are active nationwide. Fram's experience of holding Ichihara Art Mix was also a big factor. The concept of a `` Hyakunengo Art Festival'' was proposed by Takeshi Kobayashi and everyone else, and ultimately it was decided to include five cities in Uchiboso (Ichihara City, Kisarazu City, Kimitsu City, Sodegaura City, and Futtsu City). We have created a parent organization that goes beyond the area, and we have also had people from other regions who agree with the concept of an art festival that considers things 100 years in the future want to collaborate with us, so it is very much our ideal. I feel that there is a flow.

———What do you see as the attractiveness and potential of Chiba Prefecture when it comes to holding an art festival?

I always say that Chiba Prefecture is "a microcosm of Japan". First of all, in the field of commerce and industry, which represent cities, the output value ranks in the single digits nationwide. Agriculture and fisheries, which are the primary industries that symbolize Japan's regions, are also ranked in the single digits. Chiba is the only prefecture in Japan to be ranked in the top 10 for all four aspects of urban commerce, industry, and nature-rich agriculture and fisheries. I think that you can understand that it is a prefecture that combines with.

In terms of geopolitical and geographical characteristics, Chiba Prefecture is located next to Tokyo, the capital of Japan. And from the point of view of Narita Airport, it is the closest place to the world. In Chiba Prefecture, which is full of all-around charm, a variety of cultures are rooted. There are urban cultures that have been born because of the concentration of urban people, and there are also cultures that have been born because of such an environment rich in nature.

Especially since we are a maritime prefecture surrounded by the sea on three sides, I think that the most distinctive thing is the culture related to the sea. For example, we are the region where surfing was held for the first time in the history of the Olympics, and surfing naturally means waves. From the perspective of waves, there is a culture that is very related to waves, such as the existence of "Nami no Ihachi" who carefully carved waves and made them emerge and influenced ukiyo-e. In terms of the fishing industry, a very characteristic Japanese design style called "Maiwai", which is used to hand out festive clothes to fishermen when there is a big catch, is alive and well. Such cultures, customs, designs, and arts that are related to the sea are rooted in our Chiba Prefecture, so we have the urban culture that I mentioned earlier, and the culture that has been nurtured from a place rich in nature. Above all, I would like to create measures to promote culture by shedding light on things that are particularly characteristic of Hyakunengo Art Festival Prefecture. I think that we can develop an art festival that can convey the charm of Chiba, which is both a prefecture and a regional prefecture.

———If you have an image of Chiba Prefecture in the near future, 10 or 20 years from now, please tell us.

I think that the major changes in the spread of the new coronavirus infection are the values and styles of people's ways of living and working. We, Chiba Prefecture, have had a large number of people who moved there as a place to live in two bases. You can work after surfing, and you can go to Tokyo right away while living with nature. Attracted by the sense of distance from Tokyo, more and more people began to live in two bases or move to Japan. I feel that the style of teleworking in Chiba's rich natural environment has increased in particular.

Looking at the span of 10 or 20 years from now, technology will continue to evolve, and work styles will likely diversify. I think that I will be able to work at In that sense, I believe that more and more people will start to pay attention to Chiba Prefecture as the most suitable place to realize a rich lifestyle, and we will realize such a society and a new lifestyle. We are now accelerating support measures and initiatives to do so. To work, to live, to be in contact with nature. Until now, I had to move around to get them, but I would like to spread the word to the whole country that everything can be done in Chiba Prefecture.

Furthermore, I think that in the midst of this trend, we will be able to further spread the Chiba prefecture's uniqueness of being able to enjoy art and music in an environment rich in nature. For example, at Ichihara Art Mix, I think many people have realized that they can enjoy contemporary art in an environment rich in nature, and that they can get moving experiences and stimulation that cannot be achieved in Tokyo. And now Chiba has become a "music festival prefecture", and you can enjoy one of the world's largest music festivals any time of the year. Of course, listening to music in a hall is fulfilling, but I think listening to music in an environment rich in nature is rich. I want to cherish these things even more, so many people will realize the rich way of life that can only be experienced in Chiba. I would like to make it later.

———Are you actually promoting such lifestyle support measures?

I agree. For example, new styles such as workcations, where people can combine travel and work, are emerging. I'm trying to send. In fact, many of my acquaintances enjoy such a way of life.

Chiba Prefecture also has a gibier culture, and after exterminating wild boars and wild boars to protect farmers, the ultimate sustainable lifestyle of using the meat as a bounty of nature is at the forefront of telework. There are a lot of people who are working while working at an IT company. I would love to spread this way of life.

I think that KURKKU FIELDS has a big presence, with a solid concept, philosophy, art and design, and a rich lifestyle that is comprehensively coordinated. So, I think that the society that we should aim for is being embodied in that place.

———What kind of future do you hope for 100 years from now?

In 100 years from now, the first thing that can be said is that in a society where the population is declining, people with diverse roots other than Japanese will be able to live together. You know. As technology evolves, I think that AI, robots, and other forms of existence that are indispensable to society in addition to human beings are entering society. In that sense, diversity is being talked about today, but I believe that society is being built with a wider dimension of diversity than what we think of today. Under such circumstances, in order to ultimately convert that diversity into "value", we need various things such as common thoughts, values, and culture that can accept diversity and live together. I think it will become

Therefore, Hyakunengo Art Festival will not end as a temporary event on the 150th anniversary of the birth of Chiba Prefecture, but the concept and art festival will continue to live on and spread in Chiba Prefecture. By doing so, I hope that 100 years from now, it will develop into a common source of support for everyone in diverse societies.

What we must always think about is how Chiba can contribute to Japan and the world, and what kind of new value we can present. I think that there are many people who live in Tokyo or in the city, who have a vague image of life like "I will live in the countryside when I retire", but Chiba is not like that. I would like to firmly propose that it is possible to realize a lifestyle that allows you to live in harmony with nature while working.

I think that Chiba will probably become a model place for distributed energy in the future. We also have photovoltaic power generation, offshore wind power generation, and thermal power generation, and various energies are gathered. Chiba Prefecture will become a distinctive place in Japan for such distributed energy, so the keyword SDGs is often mentioned. As we continue to move forward, we would like to firmly communicate this image to the world.

———Please tell us how Governor Kumagai spends his time off, and if there are any spots you like in Chiba.

What I really like about living in Chiba is that when I eat with my children on a day off, I can decide on that day, "Let's go strawberry picking." If you go by car for 20 minutes, you can pick strawberries in the great outdoors, and if you go for an hour, you can fish with a seine in Sotobo. I think it's attractive for a family to live a normal life and be able to do activities in the great outdoors. On the other hand, you can also enjoy the city life, such as cheering for the Chiba Lotte Marines at Marine Stadium or going to see a big event held at Makuhari Messe, so you can do whatever you want when you think of it. It's really attractive to be able to do it in the same prefecture.

———What are your expectations for Hyakunengo Art Festival?

First of all, Fram is doing the Ichihara art mix, so I'm sure that soil will be utilized, so the field will expand further from there, and I'll see how art in cities other than Ichihara is integrated. Personally, I'm looking forward to new surprises like, ``I'm exhibiting art in a place like this!'' And this time, Takeshi Kobayashi will also be participating, so I think the music will be combined into an art festival that can be enjoyed with all five senses.

Also, I would like the people of Chiba to have confidence in Chiba and realize that "this is the charm of Chiba!" . I would like people who were inspired by the art festival to create a surge in various areas of Chiba, and I would like people who came from outside the prefecture to experience the charm of Chiba and eventually come to Chiba. We expect that such a ripple effect that we have you live in , two areas and settle down comes out.

———What are your goals for the Chiba Prefecture 150th anniversary project?

There are two main purposes. Until now, I think that each municipality has been working on its own cultural initiatives, but this time, Chiba Prefecture as a whole will work together to revitalize the history and cultural resources, going beyond the boundaries of municipalities. I would like to take this opportunity to give birth to a strong mother body because I am going to do it. In that sense, the 100 Years Later Art Festival is an initiative that transcends municipalities. In addition to the 100 Years Later Art Festival, there will be initiatives that transcend the boundaries of municipalities in various places, so that is one of our main goals.

The other is that we are no longer in an era where the government can accomplish its goals alone, so we are working with the private sector, companies, and various other people to realize this 150th anniversary. It's a good opportunity to collaborate with all kinds of people. People who have wanted to contribute to the community for a long time are knocking on the gates of the prefectural office on the occasion of the 150th anniversary. Therefore, I think that these two purposes are gradually taking shape thanks to everyone involved. As “Team Chiba,” I hope this will be an opportunity to further increase our team strength.

text: Kana Yokota