Nishinippon Shimbun interviewed Governor Ogawa as he entered the third year of his tenure. The following is a summary of his responses.
Self-evaluation of your second year
Time flew by. I hit the ground running and got involved on the front lines as much as possible. We clocked over 40,000 km in the official vehicles. I tried to assess the needs of the citizens and propose detailed policies.
Achievements and challenges
One year has passed since the cities of Fukuoka and Kitakyushu were designated as a Green Asia International Strategic Comprehensive Special Zone, and now we project ¥30 billion in capital investment and 300 new jobs. We have also focused more energy on regional disaster prevention in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake and last year’s torrential rain storms. I will work to make our disaster preparedness plan and effective one.
Has Fukuoka become the ”Happiest Prefecture in Japan”?
We are allocating budget funds in order to employ as many people as possible on the back of the recent economic recovery. Unemployment is down, and the rate of jobs to job seekers has improved. We are also making improvements on issues such as organized crime, drinking and driving and industrial waste treatment. By incorporating feedback from citizen surveys into our policies, I think we can increase their level of happiness.
What is the focus for your third year?
I want to work with the other prefectures of Kyushu to focus more efforts on tourism promotion. This is one reason why I would like to see work begin on the second runway at Fukuoka Airport as early as possible. Fukuoka will host the Figure Skating Grand Prix and the Worldwide Convention of the Kaigai Kenjikai this year. I want to use these opportunities to spread the word about Fukuoka.
Any thoughts on a second term?
Is it still too early to say; the only thing I can do now is make sure I do my best for the remainder of my term.
Source: Nishinippon Shimbun, Apr. 25
