First, could you give us an overview of Kumamoto Future Action "Hope - 誇歩"?

Kumamoto Future Action: "Hope - 誇歩 (Ho-Pu)" is a community initiative established by the Kyushu Sanko Group at the 10-year mark of the Kumamoto earthquake. This project aims to do more than just reflect on the past, celebrating instead the resilient spirit of the people who have moved forward tirelessly through every challenge. It is designed to foster local pride and deepen the bonds within our community. We hope to create a space where everyone can rediscover their love for Kumamoto even more than before, and look toward the future with genuine hope.
When we first began considering how to mark this 10-year milestone as a local company, our initial concept centered on a message of gratitude toward those outside the prefecture, coupled with a somewhat heavy theme that looked back on the days of the disaster. However, through discussions with representatives from across our group companies, a more positive sentiment emerged: a desire to bring joy to the people of our prefecture and to rediscover the best of Kumamoto for the sake of the future. Consequently, we made a significant pivot, shifting our focus toward our fellow residents and evolving our message into one of hope and a deepening love for our home.
The name "Hope" is a coined term derived from the Japanese characters for "pride" (誇) and "walk" (歩). It blends the traditional meaning of hope with the idea of taking pride in our recovery and moving forward into the future. We are driven by the belief that the strong sense of unity among the people of Kumamoto--their deep love for their hometown--is the driving force behind our recovery. We are passionate about conveying the message that "by taking pride in how far we have come, we create hope for the future."

Specifically, from late March to April of this year, we launched several initiatives: a "wrapping bus" featuring artwork by children from Mashiki Town, an accompanying exhibition of their drawings, and special guided tours of Mashiki and Aso. We also collaborated with the Kumamoto-based paper art project "Super Flower" to host a fashion show with local children and a "Kumamoto Fair" at various commercial facilities.

This project was carried out through the collaboration of various companies within the Kyushu Sanko Group. What challenges did you face, and what do you see as the significance of tackling this as an entire group?

The Kyushu Sanko Group operates a wide range of businesses, including public transportation, commercial facilities, and travel services. As a result, the biggest challenge in bringing these projects together was effectively managing and coordinating the differences in production processes and promotion schedules across each business unit. For example, our travel division requires early announcements to recruit participants, whereas events at our commercial facilities are most effective when promoted closer to the actual date. Since each company had different objectives and preferred timing for promotions, we focused on coordinating these efforts and managing the overall progress.
At the same time, tackling this project as an entire group carried immense significance. Typically, staff in charge of commercial facilities tend to focus on "selling fashion," while those in charge of travel focus on "facilitating travel outside the prefecture," and so on. However, at the core of the Kyushu Sanko Group lies a shared commitment to "contributing to community development." I feel that working together on this cross-functional project served as an opportunity for all employees to reaffirm their sense of contribution to the development of Kumamoto.

Could you provide an overview of the "Hope Liner" wrapped bus project? Also, having seen the children's drawings in person, what were your impressions?

The "Hope Liner" is a specially wrapped bus featuring artwork by 173 elementary school and preschool children from Mashiki, a town that suffered immense damage during the Kumamoto Earthquakes.

At the unveiling event in Mashiki, I saw firsthand how the children proudly shared their artwork with their families. Seeing this firsthand made me realize that our community initiative--which we started with the simple wish to bring happiness--had taken a tangible form and was directly impacting people's lives. It was an incredibly moving experience to see our efforts translate into such genuine smiles.

It has been 10 years since the earthquake. As a company that supports local infrastructure, what were some of the most difficult periods you faced, and what specific events served as the driving force to overcome them?

I heard this story from an employee who was working at the time of the disaster. A bus belonging to the Kiyama Depot in Mashiki Town, which is close to the epicenter, was unable to return to the depot due to road closures caused by debris from collapsed buildings. As a result, they had to temporarily take refuge in the parking lot of the town-run gymnasium, located near the depot. During that time, they opened the buses to local residents who had lost their homes, providing them with a much-needed temporary shelter.

The true driving force behind the recovery was the inherent positivity and resilience of the people of Kumamoto. Even when speaking with our employees about that time, very few dwell on the sadness or pain; instead, they reflect on those hardships with a surprisingly bright and forward-looking attitude. I believe the unique "never-give-up" spirit of Kumamoto and the strength to turn a crisis into an opportunity were the greatest catalysts for our recovery. Personally, I was working in Fukuoka when the earthquake struck. Seeing my hometown of Kumamoto suffer while I was unable to help brought me a deep sense of helplessness and anxiety. That regret--the feeling of not being able to do anything for my community--became my driving force. It eventually led me to move back to Kumamoto and join the Kyushu Sanko Group, marking a major turning point in my tenth year as a professional.

With a portion of your revenue dedicated to supporting the next generation and regional revitalization, what kind of city do you hope to leave behind for the communities you serve?

Our decision to donate a portion of this project's revenue to the next generation stems from a strong desire to redefine Kumamoto beyond traditional labels such as "regional". Our vision is to cultivate an attractive, culturally sophisticated city where people can experience cutting-edge activities and pop culture--such as anime--without needing to go to a major metropolis. We aim to build a city where world-class cultural events are part of the local lifestyle.
Having been raised by the city of Kumamoto and guided by so many people here, I feel a deep desire to give back. I wish for the children who will shape our future to have access to the cutting edge of culture and gain rich experiences right here, so that they too can grow up feeling that "this city raised me." Furthermore, as the Kyushu Sanko Group, we aim to create a city that inspires a sense of belonging and pride--one where, even if the next generation moves away, they will always feel, "I love this city, and I want to come back someday."

Finally, what role does the Kyushu Sanko Group hope to play in ensuring that the people of Kumamoto can take true pride in their hometown and move toward a bright and smiling future?

Currently, Kumamoto is seeing a steady rise in inbound demand, driven by the establishment of the TSMC plant and an increase in international flights. This trend is reflected in the Kyushu Sanko Group's performance, where the share of revenue from international visitors is consistently climbing. While we will continue to focus on the inbound market, we are careful not to overlook our local residents and domestic travelers. We believe the Kyushu Sanko Group's vital role is to balance global appeal with local heart--ensuring that while we become a world-class destination, we remain a beloved home for the people of Kumamoto and a favorite spot for domestic visitors.

I usually work in advertising at SAKURA MACHI Kumamoto, handling ad planning, graphic design, and the coordination of seasonal events. Until now, my work was focused entirely on the advertiser's perspective. However, through this project, I gained the invaluable experience of witnessing the "real voices" and smiles of the customers who actually use our services up close. Seeing the customers' reactions firsthand has given me practical insights into what my designs were missing. This has become a powerful motivation to refine my skills and push my technical abilities to the next level. Moving forward, I intend to continue listening to our customers' voices through these community contribution activities, developing and delivering services that allow everyone living in Kumamoto to take pride in their hometown and move toward the future with a smile.