Hokkaido and Tohoku Governors Call for Disaster Resilience and Gender Equality

Governors from Hokkaido, the six Tohoku prefectures, and Niigata met in Yamagata Prefecture to address regional challenges. The assembly issued a proposal to the national government requesting enhanced land resilience to prepare for large-scale disasters, such as heavy rains, while continuing to prioritize recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake.

To combat high population decline rates in these regions, the governors resolved to create environments that attract young people and women. This includes efforts to promote gender equality by addressing fixed gender roles and unconscious biases. Leaders emphasized that improving employment and childcare environments is essential for regional sustainability.

Additionally, Aomori Governor Soichiro Miyashita discussed the Second Seikan Tunnel concept, noting the necessity of developing highways to connect the Shinkansen to the tunnel to ensure the project's success.