【Documentary】 Local Media, Here We Come!

”100 Days of Local Media in Hirakata” is a short documentary program that follows the creation of ‘Re:HIRAKATA,’ a local media that conveys the charms of Hirakata City, Osaka Prefecture, including its people, nature, and spots, based on the concept of ”a slightly more polite life to be realized in Hirakata.

On the first day, we interviewed Hiromi Hori, the president of Social Enterprise Development ACTION, which operates Re:HIRAKATA, about why she decided to create a local media outlet.

Hori was born in Hirakata City, Osaka Prefecture. She once worked as a publicist at Hirakata Park, an amusement park known to all Hirakata citizens.

She has also been involved in social business since 2020, helping women start their own businesses. She has given over 829 video lectures on writing, LPs, WordPress creation, and more.

What is Hori’s feeling after returning to her hometown Hirakata City for the first time in 10 years, and what is her passion for local media?

The SL at Kuzuha Mall and the haunted house at Hirakata Park. Memories of Hirakata this and that

Hori：
For example, at the Kuzuha Mall, before it was renovated, there was an SL locomotive, which I loved. There was a popcorn shop nearby, and I used to buy popcorn from them.

Hori：
And then there is Hira-pa. It is a famous amusement park that I think everyone in Hirakata City has been to, and it is also my former workplace. I have been going to Hira-pa since I was a child.

There was a haunted house, and an old lady came to take me on a ride. She was like, “Let me ride with you,” and there was the sound of her clogs and other noises that made it sound like a ghost was climbing into the backseat of the attraction I was riding in. That was very scary.

Osaka Castle, Glico’s signboard, Yoshimoto Kogyo. The image of “the Osaka” is not in Hirakata City.

Hori：
When people from other prefectures hear the name “Osaka,” they think of many things. For example, Osaka Castle, Dotonbori, Glico’s big sign with its hands outstretched, Tsutenkaku Tower, Yoshimoto Kogyo, and so on. I think people in other prefectures have a strong image of Osaka.

Hori：
On the other hand, Hirakata City does not have a Glico sign, nor a castle. Of course, there is no theater of Yoshimoto Kogyo, so it is difficult to imagine an image of Hirakata City. I think it is not only for people from other prefectures, but also for people who are related to Hirakata City, for example, people who live, work, or are students, that it is difficult to imagine Hirakata City as a city like this.

Hori：
I took a walk around the embankment (Yodogawa riverbed).

The river was shining in the sunlight, and I could see the lush greenery, hear the calls of many kinds of wild birds, and even see birds actually flying.

I thought, “I want to keep this view forever.“

We want to preserve the memories of Hirakata City. Is it possible with local media?

Hori：
Things that existed when I was a child are gone. For example, Yampura (Young Plaza) and Shoen Bowl that was built after Yampura. Also, what surprised me recently is that the McDonald’s that used to be in front of Biorne (used to be Bibule) at Hirakata City Station for a long time is gone (it moved).

Hori：
I realized the charm of Hirakata City and at the same time, I wanted to keep this scenery and memories without losing them.

But realistically, it doesn’t work that way. Buildings age and stores close for various reasons. Hirakata Civic Hall was the same. Although such buildings and stores have to be replaced in reality, I wanted to leave them in a visible form somehow. I thought it would be possible to do so through local media.

Hirakata City is great!” Local media rediscover the charm of Hirakata City.

Hori:
I want to convey the charm of Hirakata City through local media so that people can rediscover it. That is my mission.

I believe that Hirakata City will develop as a better city if its brand image is firmly established, with people not only from other prefectures but also those who are related to Hirakata City saying that Hirakata City is great or something nice.

I hope to do my best to help with that through local media.

It is difficult to understand the local charms when you live in your hometown. But Hori left Hirakata City and came back again, and perhaps that is why its charms seem to shine even brighter.

From now on, we will bring you 100 days until “Re:HIRAKATA”, a local media of Hirakata City, Osaka Prefecture, is created. We hope that the number of people who love Hirakata City and want to make Hirakata City better will increase even by one.

In the video, we also discuss specific metrics for successful local media and future developments. Please take a look.

Please enjoy the rest of the article on YouTube!

The same series

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Please also enjoy the playlists “emotional” and “WORLD,” the essay “That Day, That Time in Hirakata,” and the recipe “French Home Cooking Taught by Madame.

Photo: Hiromi Hori