JAL, which has bases throughout Japan, has been continuously implementing regional revitalization initiatives (currently the “JAL Furusato Project”), and in August 2020 launched the “JAL Furusato Ambassadors,” cabin crew members selected through an in-house recruitment process who move to the area to promote initiatives in their respective regions. In December of the same year, JAL appointed “JAL Hometown Cheering Troops” who are involved in regional revitalization while serving as flight attendants. The aim is to develop products and solve regional issues for hometowns and other regions with which they have connections, utilizing the knowledge they have accumulated as flight attendants.
We spoke with Ms. Chiaki Kobayashi, a JAL Furusato Ambassador who is involved in Nakasatsunai-mura events in Hokkaido.
–What can you tell us about your initiatives?
Since then, they have worked together on a variety of initiatives to revitalize the region by promoting local tourism, fostering human resources for the next generation, and promoting local products.
Last year, I, a JAL Furusato Ambassador, and five members of the JAL Furusato Support Team in charge of Hokkaido formed a team and proposed a new menu to be served at restaurants in the village. We also wanted to promote the village’s specialty agricultural and livestock products! We also planned a sales event at Haneda Airport’s Dosanko Plaza to promote the village’s specialty agricultural and livestock products.
–How are you involved in this effort?
The impetus for the sales event at Dosanko Plaza came from an initiative to offer Nakasatsunai-mura menus devised by the JAL Furusato Ouen-tai at the JAL employee cafeteria in the Haneda area. We wondered if we could convey the deliciousness of the specialties offered there to Haneda passengers as well, and Dosanko Plaza on the departure floor of Haneda Airport caught our attention, leading us to hold the Nakasatsunai Fair.
Nakasatsunai Village is a member of the “Union of the Most Beautiful Villages in Japan” and has many delicious agricultural and livestock products that are made possible by its beautiful scenery and abundant nature. Although Nakasatsunai Village is easily accessible from Tokachi Obihiro Airport, which is only 10 minutes away by car, it is not so well known. We hope you will take this opportunity to enjoy the charms and delicacies of Nakasatsunai Village, and we hope you will visit Nakasatsunai Village in person or order delicious agricultural and livestock products from us next time you visit.
–What are your future plans and prospects?
At the sales event, myself and the JAL Hometown Cheering Squad will be waiting for you along with JA Nakasatsunai-mura and the Nakasatsunai-mura Village Office with a selection of delicious local products directly from Nakasatsunai-mura in Hokkaido.
Come visit us before or after your trip, or even if you do not have any travel plans.
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