Aichi Prefecture Governor Omura Hideaki

Building civil power for human society in the industrial prefecture of Aichi

■ Profile

Born in Hekinan City, Aichi Prefecture in 1960. After graduating from the Faculty of Law at the University of Tokyo, he joined the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1996 and has been elected for five consecutive terms since then. He has served as Deputy Minister of the Cabinet Office and Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
He became the Governor of Aichi Prefecture in 2011 and is currently in his third term.

Governor Omura came to Tokyo alone from his hometown of Aichi Prefecture, without any relatives, friends, or seniors. While working in Kasumigaseki, Tokyo, he decided he wanted to get involved in politics, and so he decided to pursue a career in politics. Even in this, he remains unwavering in his love for his hometown. We spoke to him about where his energy comes from, continuing to work for the growth of Aichi Prefecture, and by extension, Japan, despite the devastating impact of COVID-19.

■ Moved to Tokyo alone from Aichi Prefecture

　In high school, I studied hard. I devoted myself to my studies with the feeling that if I was going to go to a university, I might as well go to the best one. I also think that my desire to go to Tokyo was a driving force behind my hard work in studying.
　After entering university, I lived a typical university life: going to school, participating in club activities, and working part-time. Since my body had become weak from studying for the university entrance exams, I was invited to join the American football club, and while I was involved in club activities, I also worked as a private tutor and did one-off part-time jobs during the off-season.
　The hardest thing about my time at university was getting used to living alone in Tokyo, where I had no access to information. After all, I had moved to Tokyo from Aichi Prefecture, had almost no seniors or friends, and at first I had no connections, so just getting used to life there was all I could do. It was a time when it was harder for people to get information than it is now, but I think I was one of the last people to take in the information.

■ On the path to becoming a bureaucrat

　As for my future after graduation, I eventually decided to aim for a career in the bureaucracy. I think it was a natural progression in the environment of the Faculty of Law at the University of Tokyo, where everyone around me was also aiming for a career in the bureaucracy. I took the civil service exam, joined the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and began working in Kasumigaseki. During the time I was working as a bureaucrat, there were events such as the collapse of the bubble economy, the Aum Shinrikyo incident, and the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, and it felt like an "era without a compass" had begun, where it was unclear what Japan's future path would be.

■ It is "politics" that creates Japan's grand design

　As my work gradually brought me more and more connected to national politics, I increasingly felt that politics would determine Japan's future. Eventually, at the age of 35, I left the government and began campaigning to become a politician. At the time, we were still in the era of lifetime employment, so quitting your job was a very courageous decision. I didn't have any politicians in my family, so I started from scratch with no foundation, but I think encountering a turning point in history was a major factor in my decision to pursue this career.

■ The love for his hometown that supported him during the election

　The one year and four months of election campaigning was by no means difficult. Of course, until recently, I had been guaranteed a position as a civil servant, so being unemployed and without stability was mentally difficult. But I never found election-related activities difficult. Groping around my hometown and campaigning led me to feel grateful to those who supported me and to discover new places, like "I never knew such places existed." However, I believe the reason I was able to maintain such feelings during the long election campaign was because of my sense of community, that I "love my hometown." I also keenly realized that one cannot succeed in politics unless one has a strong sense of community and is willing to engage in political activities that contribute to their hometown. The motto of House of Representatives member Seiroku Kajiyama, "Infinite love for one's hometown," is a truly apt expression. I believe that loving one's hometown leads to loving the world and humanity.
　And while there is a limit to what one can do on one's own, the role of a council member is to become a local representative through the help of those who support oneself and the accumulation of each and every one of those efforts. Thanks to these efforts, I was elected with the most votes ever in the 2019 Aichi Prefectural Governor election. I strongly hope to repay the many people who voted for me and achieve good results.

■ Providing growth power to Japan from the industrial prefecture of Aichi

　In my work as Governor of Aichi Prefecture, I feel that employment is important.
　During my time as a bureaucrat, I realized the importance of "employment" when temporary workers were laid off in the wake of the Lehman Shock. At the time, a kind of evacuation shelter for people living in poverty was set up in Hibiya Park. At the time, I was serving as Vice Minister of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, and I made the decision to open an auditorium, allowing people living in poverty to enter the hall. This was unusual even on a global scale, and I believe it was also dangerous. However, all I had in front of me at the time was the desire to help those in need. I think that this experience of being directly involved in the field of social issues was truly valuable, as it connected in many ways with my own desire to "make the world a better place."
　I believe the current challenge facing Japan is how to protect social security. To maintain generous social security, we need to keep the economy moving. Employment is crucial for this. Corporate activity creates added value and enriches the lives of the people. Aichi Prefecture is Japan's number one industrial prefecture, and a "mass of people's power." I hope that Aichi Prefecture will become an engine of growth and make Japan even more vibrant.

■ Making Aichi a hub where people from all over the world gather

　Currently, we are advancing plans to further strengthen our ties with the world and lead to industrial growth in order to create more jobs and revitalize the economy. For example, we are currently building Ghibli Park, a theme park recreating the world of Studio Ghibli films, in a park that is a legacy of the 2005 Aichi Expo. It is scheduled to open in the fall of 2022. We believe this will not only attract tourists, but also talent from around the world. Station Ai, scheduled to open in October 2024, is expected to bring together 1000 domestic and international startups. We are also partnering with France's Station F to develop global businesses as a major hub for startups from around the world. I believe these are projects that can only be undertaken in Aichi, a prefecture that has led the way as an industrial prefecture.
　In this way, we will create industry, generate added value, and strengthen our people. To achieve this, freedom, diversity, and women's empowerment are essential. By creating a sustainable world where people accept each other, I hope to make Japan, starting with Aichi Prefecture, a country that is open to the world.

■Make good use of your precious time during university!

　When I was a student, I was so busy getting used to life that I didn't have time to spare. That's why I sometimes think, "If only there had been more information available back then..." I believe we live in a very fortunate age where we can access information in a variety of ways, such as through social media and television, and have direct access to what we want without having to take detours. Because we have precious time now, when we can do anything, I hope that you will try out various activities that can only be done when you are young. Learning is also important no matter how old you are. It is said that the brain is the only organ in the human body that never deteriorates. I hope that you will study, take on new challenges, and make the most of your limited time.

Interviewed by Student Newspaper Online on May 11, 2021 by Aki Kawanami, 4th year student at Tsuda University