Building Miyako's Future Together
Shu Ueda
植田 収一
My Thoughts on Station-Front Development
Do You Know the "Now" of Miyako Station-Front Development?
On January 20, 2026, Miyako City announced it would abandon the plan to construct a new standalone building on the former Cattle site, citing rising material costs and difficulty attracting private operators. The city's policy has now shifted dramatically toward an integrated reorganization and development of the "entire station-front area," including the station building, bus rotary, and plaza. However, as of March 2026, the specific budget scale and detailed completion images have still not been sufficiently shared with citizens. If the entire station front is to be redeveloped, won't a correspondingly enormous budget be invested?
Did You Know? The City's Public Facilities Cost This Much Every Year
- ●Green Pia Sanriku Miyako approx. 110 million yen
(*A full renovation would cost 4.8 billion yen) - ●Sea Topia Naado approx. 49.8 million yen
- ●Citizens' Cultural Hall approx. 320 million yen
- ●Disaster Memorial Museum approx. 32 million yen
*Many voices say "Taro already has tsunami remains, so..."
Buildings may be glamorous when constructed, but maintaining them is a heavy burden. Shouldn't we direct limited funds toward effectively utilizing existing facilities, developing people, bear countermeasures, and regional revitalization? Should we continue to place this burden on the shoulders of citizens?
I believe station-front redevelopment requires "thorough cost suppression" and "soft-side utilization that matches citizens' needs."
What we need is not concrete, but human passion.
Not a facility led by city hall, but a "living space" created together with citizens.
For example, a "weekend-only morning market."
Open this space only on weekend mornings, and make it a plaza where citizens can relax on weekdays.
Imagine fishermen's breakfasts, early-morning seafood bowls, steaming morning ramen, the lively "Donko tataki live kitchen performance," and folk performances of taiko drums and dance echoing from the morning, thrilling both citizens and tourists. Wrapped in the pleasant "Michinoku sea breeze" of the morning, it would be the heart of Miyako overflowing with smiles and energy. It would be a source of pride for citizens and the best moment for tourists to feel "I'm glad I came to Miyako."
In an "ordinary place" like a park, people don't move.
But if there is a "morning found only here," people will naturally gather.
Even without constructing a building, ideas and passion can move a town. That is what I believe.
What Inspired Me to Pursue Politics
I am Shu Ueda, a Miyako City Council member.
During my 6 years working as a city hall employee, I faced many challenges on the front lines of administration.
Throughout that time, there were questions I constantly asked myself:
- • "Is this project truly benefiting citizens?"
- • "Are citizens' voices reaching administration and politics sufficiently?"
- • "Is forward-looking fiscal management truly being shared?"
From the standpoint of someone with private business experience and management sense, there were many moments when I held strong concerns about how taxes were spent and how projects were carried out.
As population decline and fiscal challenges advance, we cannot protect Miyako's future simply by extending the status quo. That sense of crisis drove me toward the path of politics.
Now, as a city council member, I deliver citizens' voices to city government while working on community building with both on-the-ground perspective and management insight.
Guided by the belief in "politics that thinks and acts together with citizens," I will continue to give my all for the future of Miyako.
Three Key Policies
A Town with Strong Industry and Jobs
We aim to revitalize the local economy and create stable sources of income.
- •Shifting Tourism Strategy: We will move beyond dependence on Jodogahama and promote strategies to extend overnight stays and maximize in-city spending during international cruise ship visits.
- •Developing Digital Talent: We will focus on nurturing digital freelancers who can earn high incomes while living in Miyako.
- •Food Branding: We will brand powerful, uniquely Miyako food content comparable to "Sendai's Gyutan."
A Town That Invests in Children's Future
We will create an educational environment and invest in drawing out the abilities of the children who will carry the next generation.
- •Practical Education: We will shift from "learning English" to "using English," and through AI integration and education DX, improve academic ability in a fun way while reducing the burden on teachers and families. Promoting "living English" education that only Miyako can offer.
- •Nurturing Individuality and Creativity: We will foster children's individuality through extracurricular activities and regional learning.
- •Education to Protect Life and Property: We will promote disaster prevention education and consumer education.
A Town That Eliminates Waste and Restores Fiscal Health
We aim for efficient administrative management that does not pass the burden on to future generations.
- •Reviewing Projects: We will reduce inefficient projects and conduct sound fiscal management that does not pass debt to future generations.
- •Thorough Verification of Facility Use: Rather than constructing new billion-yen buildings, we prioritize the effective use of existing facilities.
- •Citizen-Driven Community Building: Not led by city hall, we will promote new station-front development created by citizens (such as the former Cattle site), aiming for a place overflowing with human passion.
Strengthen industrial competitiveness to create jobs and income for the region. On this foundation, enhance educational capacity to nurture the next generation and invest generously in the future. Then use limited financial resources (everyone's taxes) wisely to strengthen our defenses against disasters and population decline. When these three forces circulate together, Miyako City becomes a strong, proud region that won't waver against any headwind.
Profile
Private, Management & Government Experience for Miyako's Future
Born in Hachioji, Tokyo (1980)
Tokyo Music & Media Arts Shobi - Graduate
Developed creativity and expression through music, video, and creative arts
Travel Company → 8 Years Living in the Philippines
Based in Manila, Philippines, I honed my international perspective in an office environment where I was the only Japanese person.
Sales Director at Luxury Hotel Chain "DUSIT INTERNATIONAL"
Led the sales division at a 5-star hotel chain. Developed profit-generating business acumen
Founded SHU Inc.
Started a tourism consulting business in hometown Hachioji. Spoke at numerous seminars on welcoming foreign tourists and worked on regional revitalization projects nationwide.
Aomori Prefectural Government → Miyako City Hall
Worked on Michinoku Coastal Trail, Miyako Umineko Maru ferry, cruise ship interpretation, Sakiyama Shell Mound Jomon Forest Museum, and more
Miyako City Council Member
With both "private sector experience" and "government experience," I will forge Miyako's future.
Personality & Hobbies
Nature Lover
Enjoys Miyako's nature through SUP and cycling
Music Activities
Multilingual
Speaks English and Tagalog, serves as interpreter during foreign cruise ship visits
Favorite Food
Donko Fish with Liver
Donko no Kimoae (Donko Fish with Liver)
In 2020, when I moved to Miyako City, I discovered this stunning dish.
"Donko," a fish beloved by locals, combines the delicate flavor of its meat with the rich umami of its liver - a symbol of Miyako's unique food culture. Its unexpectedness and depth made me feel the wisdom and pride that this region has cultivated over many years.
Donko is a "soul food" rooted in the Pacific coast, a local food culture that symbolizes the Sanriku coast and Miyako City. I believe we should actively promote it.
The region's nature, music, food culture, and human connections. All of these are my driving force.
Activity Blog (Note)
I share my daily activities and policy ideas on Note. (Japanese only)
Join Us in Creating the Future
Our support group is called "Shu Ueda wo Sodateru Kai" (The Group to Nurture Shu Ueda). This group aims to walk alongside citizens and grow by transforming your voices into power.
I am still learning, but with your opinions and support as my foundation, I will move forward step by step.
I sincerely ask for your agreement with our mission and your warm support and membership.
- • No enrollment or annual fees
- • Participation is free, withdrawal is free
- • Fun activities including BBQ, fishing, trail hiking, cultural research, AI study sessions!
- • We never force volunteer activities or assistance.
- • We never force donations.
Every Yen Can Change the Future
A donation request from "Shu Ueda wo Sodateru Kai."
Donations are accepted through the following link.
(Starting from 1,000 yen, up to 1.5 million yen per individual)
1. Register at Senkyo.com
2. Fill in the required information
* Up to 1.5 million yen per organization per year
* For donations exceeding 50,000 yen per year (50,001 yen or more), "amount, name, address, and occupation" will be disclosed in financial reports.
Please lend us your strength. Let's create Miyako's future together.
"Let's Solve Social Issues Together."
I cannot change anything alone. But together with you, we can.
Let's create Miyako's future together.