Yoshinori Hinata, Mayor of Tsuru City, Yamanashi Prefecture

2026.03.28

Opening up education and the future in Tsuru City, a student town with views of Mt. Fuji.

■ Profile
Graduated from Yamanashi Prefectural Tanimura Technical High School in 1986 (Showa 61).
Enlisted in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, Takigahara Garrison, in 61.
Retired in 1988 (Showa 63).
Joined Hyuga-gumi in 1988 (Showa 63).
Appointed Representative Director of Hyuga-gumi Co., Ltd. in 16.
Appointed as a Tsuru City Council Member in 27 (elected 3 times)
Inaugurated as Chairman of the Tsuru City Council in 5.
Retired in 6
Resigned from Tsuru City Council position in 7.
Inaugurated as the 8th Mayor of Tsuru City in 7.

Tsuru City in Yamanashi Prefecture is known as a city rich in nature, boasting the Tokaichiba-Natsugari spring group, which was selected as one of the "3 Famous Waters of the Heisei Era." Furthermore, with a population of approximately 1, about 3% are students, and the city is also a "student city" with three higher education institutions. Responding to the needs of the community, the mayor is promoting sustainable city development centered on education and childcare support. We interviewed him about his current initiatives and his vision for the future.

As a boy, I never imagined I would enter the world of politics, and I spent my days devoted to baseball. At that time in Yamanashi, high schools aiming for the Koshien tournament were attracting attention, so I put all my energy into the practice in front of me.
After graduating from junior high school, I decided to take over my father's business and enrolled in a technical high school. I actually wanted to go to university, but family circumstances forced me to give up on that dream. Because of that experience, I made sure my three children went to university. I know firsthand the importance of having opportunities to learn.
After graduating from a technical high school, I joined the Self-Defense Forces. The two years I spent in an environment that emphasized discipline, etiquette, and orderliness formed the foundation of my current approach to administrative work. I learned the importance of fulfilling responsibilities within an organization and following rules.
My decision to get involved in politics, given my background, was triggered by the record-breaking snowfall that hit all of Yamanashi Prefecture in February 26. With no local city council members, there was no one to convey the voices of the residents to the administration. In this situation, where "someone had to take on political responsibility," I was approached by the local community. That was the beginning of my political activities.

■ Leveraging Tsuru City's strengths as a student town

A major characteristic of Tsuru City is that it has three higher education institutions: Tsuru University of Liberal Arts, Tsuru Junior College of Industrial Technology, and Tsuru University of Health Sciences. Of its population of approximately 30,000, about 3,000 are students. This student ratio of 10% represents significant potential for a regional city.
To leverage these unique characteristics, we are focusing on enriching the educational environment and developing human resources while cherishing our tradition of teacher training. We aim to promote community development centered on education, including training in the IT and AI fields necessary for the coming era, and supporting recurrent education to help people acquire the latest technologies and knowledge even after entering the workforce. Moving forward, we want to create a flow where young generations learn, become involved in the community, and settle down.

■ Policies born from the voices of citizens

My campaign promise is "Creating a city where citizens' voices are heard." I have put forward three visions and 19 policies, and I will listen to the voices of each individual and reflect them in policy. First, as a measure against rising prices, I will implement and promote free school lunches and free childcare for all children. Also, in response to the earnest requests of citizens whose household budgets are suffering due to rising prices, I initially considered distributing local shopping vouchers, but after considering the time and costs involved, I shifted to cash payments, which can provide support more quickly and directly. I am also promoting a point reward program to support shopping districts.
Furthermore, Tsuru City is proud of its clean water and natural environment. The Tokaichiba-Natsugari spring group, which is fed by springs from Mt. Fuji, has been selected as one of Japan's 100 Best Waters of the Heisei Era. The city also takes great care in environmental conservation, including managing domestic wastewater and waste disposal.

■ Avoid creating disparities in education and child-rearing.

Having personally experienced having to give up on attending university, I have a strong desire to eliminate disparities in educational opportunities. I am considering support measures to reduce the burden of extracurricular activities such as cram schools, lessons, and sports classes, so that children's educational environments do not become disparities due to their parents' economic circumstances.
We are also expanding opportunities for children to be exposed to English education seamlessly from preschool through elementary and junior high school. In extracurricular activities, there is a shortage of specialized instructors in some sports, so we are considering enlisting the help of university students. In terms of childcare support, in addition to making childcare and school lunch fees free, we are calling on companies to adopt diverse working styles, including paternity leave.

■ Population decline and challenges to public transportation

Tsuru City is surrounded by mountains. With an aging population, transportation options for those who have surrendered their driver's licenses are becoming a challenge. Currently, we are conducting a pilot program for AI-powered on-demand taxis. However, considering the hilly terrain, we are prioritizing securing transportation for those with limited mobility and are considering a more detailed system. While balancing costs, we aim to develop a sustainable public transportation system that all citizens can use without inconvenience.
Furthermore, even as the population declines, I believe it is possible to maintain vitality by increasing the number of visitors and permanent residents, including students. Enhancing educational institutions in the IT and AI fields and strengthening collaboration with universities are part of this effort. Moreover, I want to extend our collaboration with universities beyond education and create a system that utilizes students' abilities to solve local problems. For example, by providing practical opportunities within the city, such as supporting the digitalization of shopping streets and planning and developing tourism PR, we can connect learning with the local economy. If students have more opportunities to engage with the community, their options for local employment or entrepreneurship after graduation will also expand. Creating an environment where young people can take on challenges will also lead to strengthening the region's growth potential. To achieve this, it is essential for citizens, universities, and businesses to collaborate and bring together their respective strengths. I hope to build a growth model unique to Tsuru City through repeated dialogue.

■Message to university students

Students, you are the ones who will shape the future of Japan and your communities. You are currently enjoying a precious time where you can freely take on challenges. I encourage you to broaden your horizons through various experiences, not only in your studies, but also through part-time jobs, community activities, international exchange, and more. I hope you will believe in your own potential and challenge yourselves without fear of failure. Your growth will eventually become a force that supports your communities and society. I believe it is my mission to create an environment that enables this.

Student Newspaper Online, May 10, 2026, Interview by Reina Inomoto, 1st year student at Kyoto University of the Arts

Sakura Yamashita (3rd year, Tsuda University) / Reina Inomoto (1st year, Kyoto University of the Arts) / Hinano Shinoda (2nd year, Tokyo Kasei University)