Kintsugishi who is active in Komatsu City, Ishikawa Prefecturesupport,
Comprehensive childcare support system

With the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Tsuruga, Komatsu City in Ishikawa Prefecture is attracting new attention as a Shinkansen stop city. Komatsu City, which has been mainly known for its Komatsu Airport and the presence of the world-class company Komatsu Manufacturing Co., Ltd., is actually a city where the government itself actively supports childcare support and immigration. .

I moved to Komatsu City because I was fascinated by Kintsugi.

2Year-old Yuan's mother, Yoko Nakaoka, and father, Kohei Asai, also moved to Komatsu from outside the prefecture and are both working in Komatsu while raising their children. I can now feel slight signs of spring.2At the beginning of the month, I visited Mr. Nakaoka in Komatsu City.

Mr. Nakaoka's workplace is Kutani Ceramic Laboratory. In addition to a space where you can see and experience the process of making Kutani ware, a traditional industry in Ishikawa Prefecture, this museum complex also has functions such as a rental workshop for the purpose of nurturing young artists. At this facility, which the locals affectionately call ``Serabokutani,'' Mr. Nakaoka is involved in the overall operation of the facility and the kintsugi.

What is Kintsugi? A technique for repairing chipped ceramics using lacquer. Fascinated by the traditional technique of maki-e, he studied at an art university, and in order to pursue a career in restoration, he became an apprentice to a makie craftsman in Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture, which led to his later move to Komatsu. While there, she met and married architect Kohei Asai, and they had a baby, Yuan.

“Regular delivery of baby disposable diapers” and advice from senior mothers

``We were both very nervous at first, as we didn't know many people.However, everyone around us, including our friends, was very kind, and especially the senior mothers who gave us specific advice were very reliable. I did.”

In addition to these warm connections between people, Nakaoka says that he was helped by the support system set up by the city. One of them is the regular delivery of baby disposable diapers. It is a system in which disposable diapers are delivered free of charge once a month to families raising babies from three months old to their first birthday.

``It's great that we can receive it for free, but the mothers who deliver it to us are often senior mothers, who provide us with a variety of information and sometimes listen to their concerns.Thanks to that, we have been able to help not only ourselves but also the local community. I felt secure knowing that someone was watching over my child-rearing.”

In addition to this system, the city provides a unique benefit of 5 yen per fetus to pregnant women who have been issued with a maternal and child health handbook, subsidies for children's medical expenses, and free school lunches for elementary and junior high schools, which are quite significant compared to other municipalities. A high-level support system is in place.

Nursery schools are so fulfilling that you would never think of in a city.

Even when Yuan-chan started attending nursery school, Nakaoka felt how wonderful Komatsu City was.

"There are so many options for daycare centers. Moreover, we were able to learn detailed information about each daycare center's childcare policies, etc., and we were able to enroll our daughter in the daycare center of our choice. She is of the same age group living in the city. My mom friends said, ``I can't believe it.''

　Mr. Asai, who often works from home, is mainly in charge of dropping off and picking up Yuan.
"When I couldn't drop my child off or pick her up, I would sometimes take her to my workplace. I would bring my child to work."

Also active as a member of the “Komatsu City Regional Revitalization Cooperation Team”

Here, I would like to discuss Mr. Nakaoka's work in a little more detail. Utilizing the Kintsugi skills he has acquired, Mr. Nakaoka not only manages the general facility at Kutani Ceramic Laboratory, but also holds Kintsugi classes, and also produces music and videos on Kutani ware that has undergone Kintsugi at a gallery in Kanazawa. He is active in a wide range of activities, including holding installation exhibitions that combine. He is also involved in regional revitalization as a member of the Komatsu City Regional Revitalization Cooperation Team. As a result, they often have to attend events.

"I have even attended events with my daughter. When I couldn't let go of my daughter's hand, the staff at City Hall took turns holding my daughter. It was the same when she was a newborn, but I really wanted to be around her. I feel like everyone here is raising me.When I'm surrounded by people like that, I feel like it's okay to be kind to my children when I have trouble raising them, which makes me feel a little better. ”

Have fun at “Kabucky Land”

The entire Hokuriku area, including Komatsu City, cannot be called a region blessed with good weather. Especially during the long winter, there are few days of good weather. However, Komatsu City actually has many indoor facilities where children can play safely. This is also a great support for parents.

Yuan, who has recently become more active since she turned two years old, is also making full use of these facilities.

``Komatsu City is a place with a lot of facilities for children.I realized this for the first time after living there.The places I go to most often are ``Kabucky Land,'' ``Sora and Children's Picture Book Museum,'' and ``Kibagata Park,'' which has a rich natural environment. is"

Kabuki Land, whose name derives from the fact that Komatsu City is located in Ataka-seki, the setting for the Kabuki play "Kanjincho," is a place where children can play to their heart's content with large play equipment and educational equipment. It is an indoor space where you can Produced by Bornelund, which imports, develops, and sells safe toys, the toys are provided. Not only children but also parents can be fascinated by it. Additionally, the staff includes specialists such as nursery teachers, nutritionists, and nurses, so you can consult with them about your child-rearing concerns.

"The annual pass is surprisingly cheap at 1600 yen for parents and 2400 yen for children, so I buy it and go about twice a month. I can enjoy the high-quality Bornelund toys to the fullest."

``Sora and Children's Picture Book Museum'' is a reassuring place that will answer your child-rearing concerns.

``Sora and Children's Picture Book Library'' is literally a picture book library for children. The building, which is a renovated former police station building, has been designed with children in mind, including the height of the bookshelves and the installation of a picture book reading room. In addition to its function as a library, it has been designed in a variety of ways so that it can be easily used by parents with infants and children.

``There is even a lounge where you can eat and drink, including a pot with hot water and a sink, and you can also bring your own bottle and give milk.The staff members are not only library staff, but also a variety of people involved in raising children. I used to come here often when I was at a loss with my child-rearing needs.My daughter stopped eating a lot for a while, and when that happened, I came here. I also asked her, ``Are there any picture books that will help you learn to eat?'' This is my daughter's favorite place, as she is slowly beginning to understand the content of picture books.

Picture book library1On the first floor, there is a tatami-floored room where you can read large picture books, and an adjoining space with wooden flooring where you can move around freely. It's very different from a typical quiet library, where you can hear the lively laughter of children.

Enhancement of childcare support and appreciation of good old community

``Baby disposable diaper regular delivery'', subsidies for children's medical expenses, numerous nursery schools, ``Kabucky Land''……. In addition to the child-rearing support system and the extensive facilities for children, Komatsu now has programs such as the ``Welcome to Komatsu Settlement Promotion Subsidy'' and the ``Komatsu Two Area Residency Support System,'' which encourage people to move from outside the prefecture. Various systems are in place. In addition to these institutional enhancements, we are surrounded by the rich nature of the Sea of ​​Japan and Mt. Hakusan, where you can touch the great outdoors as soon as you take a trip, and we also have the presence of Komatsu Airport, Komatsu Shinkansen Station, and shopping malls. Urban functional convenience such as. Komatsu City is an area where these things go hand in hand.

And above all else, what we must not forget is the connection between people, which Mr. Nakaoka has talked about many times. Regular delivery of baby disposable diapers at workplaces and facilities. What helped Mr. Nakaoka was the connections between people.

``Many of the people living in villages and towns know each other, and if you are in trouble, they will help you in any way possible.It is a good old community that may have been common in Japan in the past.Living in Komatsu City, you can feel that kind of community. I feel grateful to have it.”

Mr. Nakaoka's expression, which he had said many times, was as calm as ever.