No.1 Six Months Since Taking Office

(Inagi Newsletter November 15, 2011 issue)

Hello, I am Mayor Katsuhiro Takahashi. I was elected as the 4th Mayor of Inagi City in the unified local elections this April. It has been six months since I took office, and I have decided to start a regular column in the city newsletter. I am reminded of my original intentions, and I feel the weight of my responsibilities as the mayor.
Since joining Inagi City Hall in 1985, I have worked in local administration for 26 years, closely connected to the community. During this time, we have shifted from a traditional centralized administrative system to a decentralized one, and I have worked hard on the front lines of citizen services to pave the way for a decentralized society.
For Inagi City to further develop towards the future, I believe it is important to preserve nature and greenery, create beautiful landscapes, promote volunteerism and citizen collaboration, revitalize local communities, and regenerate the bonds among citizens. Generally, as urbanization progresses, human relationships tend to become weaker, but in Inagi City, there are still areas where traditional connections remain. On the other hand, in new towns and areas undergoing redevelopment, there are those who are working towards the establishment of new communities.
The common challenges in the community can be summarized as crime prevention, disaster prevention, environmental issues, and welfare problems. For all of these, the "connections between people and community strength" may be important elements in finding solutions.
To develop the city while maintaining sound finances, it is necessary to work on administrative reform and reduce unnecessary expenditures, aiming for sustainable welfare, healthcare, and education. Utilizing the "community strength," which is a treasure of Inagi, I will promote municipal management that values the perspective of citizens and work hard to build "a city of Inagi surrounded by greenery and filled with friendship." I appreciate your continued support.