Ashiya Mayor Ryosuke Takashima appears in the July issue of “Bungeishunju,” released on June 10.
Quoted from the press release
Why is Mayor Takashima in “Bungeishunju”?
When you hear that the mayor is appearing in “Bunshun” (the monthly magazine, though), you might be a little startled and wonder if there’s been a scandal!
But there’s no scandal at all. He appeared in a roundtable discussion with freelance announcer Yumiko Udo and Kyoto Prefecture’s Yawata Mayor Shoko Kawata.
What is the article about?
The article takes the form of Udo interviewing both mayors about a variety of topics, including the challenges and rewards of leading a local government and what matters most to them.
That might make it sound like an entirely serious article, but right from the beginning, someone remarks that “If you leave Takashima to his own devices, he’ll just keep talking forever,” and there are even questions that delve into his private life, such as “Do you have any plans to get married?”
He even says something along the lines of he’s currently looking for a marriage partner. Is it really okay to say that!? I couldn’t help worrying that he might be flooded with applicants! (lol)
↑ This is the mayor during an open-top car parade (he’s in the back; the person next to him in the foreground is Shinjiro Hiyama).
In closing
For a moment, hearing that the mayor was in Bunshun made my heart skip a beat! But Udo’s interview actually offers a clear overview of the key points of Ashiya’s municipal administration and the initiatives Mayor Takashima has pursued so far. Apparently, the Kansai region has many young local government leaders, so we hope they’ll continue working together and doing their best!
芦屋市長の文藝春秋掲載、買って読む？
髙島市長のこと、ぶっちゃけどう思ってる？
