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2015 New Year Conversation
Let’s Spread the Word about Our Attractive Town Where People Feel Connected to One Another
 Ms. Asei Machi, a freelance announcer, has provided nursing care for about fifteen years from the time she was eighteen and facing college entrance exams. Since she’s very familiar with Shinagawa City due to her work, we asked Ms. Machi about the attractive qualities of Shinagawa City, its city planning in terms of nursing care, and spreading the word about our town. One of Shinagawa City’s most attractive
qualities is that it has many facets.
More than 90 percent of Shinagawa City
residents want to continue living here. ■Ms. Machi: Yes, I have business and friends from school here, and because I love the theater I often go to the Galaxy Theater in Tennozu. My impression of Shinagawa is that it must be a comfortable town to live in, because everyone seems so lively and energetic, from the parents raising children to the elderly who go shopping there. ■Hamano: I’m glad to hear that. Apparently, more than 90 percent of our residents say they want to continue living in Shinagawa City. ■Machi: Shinagawa City not only has areas with a concentration of high-rise buildings, it also has popular shopping streets such as Togoshi-Ginza and Musashi-Koyama. It’s nice that the city has more than one facet. ■Hamano: Yes, I think it’s very interesting that even today there’s a dock with old-fashioned yakata-bune boats parked there, and if you look up from the dock, you can see all the high-rise buildings in front of Shinagawa Station. The old and the new coexist in the same scene. ■Machi: That’s a scene that captures the very essence of Shinagawa, isn’t it? ■Hamano: Yes. I think that the popular shopping areas are some of Shinagawa’s most precious treasures. While shopping, you can ask the people at the shops all kinds of things, and become closer as you get to know one another. The popular shopping streets are fun in that respect. ■Machi: And while the town keeps that popular atmosphere, it is also very convenient with its excellent transportation network. While I have no definite plans yet, I would like to live here if I ever get married. [laughing] ■Hamano: Well, we look forward to serving you! [smiling] Perhaps nursing care is hardest for the person receiving the care—to cope positively by changing the point of view
■Machi: That’s right. My mother was forty, my younger brother was in the third year of junior high school, and my younger sister was in the sixth grade of elementary school. ■Hamano: Ah, and your mother collapsed with a stroke, is that right? ■Machi: Yes. Although surgery saved her life, she had severe aftereffects, and lived the rest of her life in a wheelchair. She couldn’t speak well, either. ■Hamano: So how many years did you provide nursing care? ■Machi: For my mother, ten. After that, my father collapsed, so it was a total of about fifteen years. I became experience in nursing care earlier than most other people. Because of those experiences, I think my family ties grew even stronger, and I am able to work as I do now. ■Hamano: I would imagine that someone so young would be in despair. ■Machi: If I gave up, then my younger siblings would have no one to depend on. And my mother was very open, which was a saving grace. What would happen if we all became sad, when the situation was actually hardest for my mother? We switched gears and moved forward when we started to think of our everyday lives not as “nursing care” but rather as “life with our mother who uses a wheelchair.” What is “genuine barrier-free”? Thoughtfulness for people in a different situation and the kindness to extend a helping hand.
Machi: Yes, well, twenty-five years ago, the term “barrier-free” was not well known. It was difficult to find a parking space or restroom for those who use wheelchairs. Still, we wanted people to know that there were people like my mother. Hamano: Yes, that’s important! A long time ago there were many cases of disabled people hesitating to go out. Machi: Another thought I had was that even though staying at home is very comfortable, I wanted my mother to have the courage to go outside. I was such a very strict daughter! [laughing] Hamano: Shinagawa City is giving high priority to barrier-free construction. Currently, we are working on the construction of slopes for as many entrance/exits of city parks as possible. Machi: Great, that’s very much needed. On the other hand, it may also be good to have some steps. Hamano: Really? Why do you think so? Machi: Because a small difference in levels in the ground is something that only the person himself or herself can feel. If there is someone there who is having trouble, then we can think, “I wonder if it’s difficult for that other person?” and lend a helping hand. I have a feeling that is the true meaning of “living together in the same community.” Hamano: You are so right! Things are so convenient these days, there’s little opportunity to offer a helping hand. Machi: Yes. Perhaps if there is some inconvenience, it helps a person develop the thoughtfulness and kindness to lend a helping hand. Hamano: I see! A small barrier can give people a chance to think, “What if this were me?” Machi: That’s right! I think the greatest barrier in the world these days is the negligence and indifference in people’s hearts. It would be a great lead-in to the next step if people could show a little interest in and be more kind to others from different walks of life, such as people who use wheelchairs, walk with a cane, or carry babies. Discover and spread the word about the attractive qualities of this town. Spread the message that connects people and creates a sense of consideration. Hamano: Ms. Machi, your work as an announcer is to tell people about things. Shinagawa City is also trying to introduce the attractive qualities of the town. Machi: I think that it’s essential to tell people about the town’s attractive qualities. Hamano: I was wondering if there was some way to rediscover the value of Shinagawa City, and tell the people in the community as well as outside of the city all about it. Machi: Hmmm . . . yes, it would be good to listen to the “live voices” of those who are active in the community, wouldn’t it? The voices of Shinagawa’s residents are the best way to conduct public relations, I think! Hamano: I see, the voice of the people of the community! That is important. Machi: Telling people directly has a big influence. Have residents talk about the appealing qualities of the community where they live. That will make people think about those qualities and the value of their own town, and lead to exciting discoveries. Moreover, you will be able to see the faces of the people in the community. Now I’m wondering “Is our community connected?” Hamano: What gives chairpersons of town association the most difficulty is that issue of community connectedness. The way that people have little to do with their neighbors these days creates a sense of crisis. Machi: Yes, it would be nice to live a worry-free life in the community you are accustomed to living in. This was my goal from the time I was eighteen years old. For this reason, it’s important to know what kind of people live in your town. Hamano: In terms of city planning, we have made significant progress in coordinating the infrastructure. Now perhaps we need to focus more on developing person-to-person ties, kindness that considers the other person, and richly sensitive hearts. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts today. Machi: Well, thank you, Mayor! I look forward to seeing further development in Shinagawa City! (Recorded at the Tokyo Marriott Hotel, 4-7-36 Kita-Shinagawa) |
■Hamano: Ms. Machi, I understand you took care of your mother from the time you were eighteen years old.
Hamano: I understand that even when your mother was in a wheelchair, she often went out to have fun. Copyright (C) 2015 Shinagawa City. All rights reserved. |