INDEX
Creating Autonomy Through Connections in Tomakomai
It’s fascinating how people, when given trust rather than rules, create their own sense of autonomy and self-reliance. This means there is no one in a position of elevated authority; instead, it’s about unity in a circle rather than a hierarchical pyramid. I think this is what we need most right now.
Kato: That’s right. In the end, it’s more about whether we can say “I’m counting on you” to each other rather than creating a structure where someone is elevated above others. It might sound idealistic, but if everyone feels that what’s happening is meant for them and their own responsibility, then the hierarchical pyramid gradually disappears, and what you end up with is a flat circle. It’s different from having a price tag attached to something that you can only get by paying. The ideal is to exchange unique manners and trust between people.
For example, if I gave Kato some vegetables I grew at home, and in return, Kato sang a song as a thank you, that would enrich my heart and then I’d return to my daily life. It’s about how different things we can give or do create a chain reaction that becomes part of our lives.
Kato: Exactly. While money and systems are certainly important, it’s the exchange and its chain reaction that matter even more. It’s about sharing what we can do and what we’ve cultivated. Experiencing how people receive and give things is key. This process of exchange and its layering forms a shape, which is what I believe culture is. The beauty of people gathering lies in them seeing and acknowledging each other. Unlike the surveillance aspect of social media, FAHDAY is a large marketplace where everyone forms a circle, sees each other, and shares joy. And I want to watch that from the sidelines [laughs].
You want to remain “one person” rather than just a “host,” right?
Kato: Yes, I think that’s very important.
I intend it to be a strong counter. The redevelopment of Tomakomai is an urgent issue for me, but it’s also a problem that many people in Japan face. The development is often mistaken in its priorities, and this event is definitely my way of addressing the discordant state of affairs and questioning what should truly be valued in city development.
Kato: I do hope many people come who can say it’s 100% fun, but I also think it’s fine if there are people who find it a bit unsettling. However, that’s not something I want to loudly declare as the primary message. It’s not about wanting people to eat curry while thinking, “This is my counter!” (laughs). It’s okay if people are diverse or only partially aligned. What matters is a relaxed solidarity where we can say we somewhat understand each other, and where the event becomes a fun extension of the everyday activities that the people of the city have naturally continued. In Tomakomai, which is neither a large city nor anything grand, I hope that people naturally connect and self-govern. If such solidarity is created, I feel that there could be no greater counter to the current trends.
From the perspective of those who want to control and manage, what happens here is the most annoying thing. A village without a fully operational system forms, and within it, joyful self-governance develops.
Kato: Exactly. Of course, I believe principles should be firmly established. As long as you stay within those bounds, you should feel free to expand. Partial agreement can be more expansive and colorful than complete agreement. I want to see that kind of thing. I don’t plan to create a structure; I think of it as just adding a small stream of water. I see myself as simply participating as an individual.
It’s not about wanting to be the Red Ranger; it’s about upholding the fundamental truth that both you and I are just individuals. I think that’s where the strongest assertion lies.
Kato: The essence doesn’t change. However, when you’re organizing something like this event or being featured in something like the recent NHK documentary, it can potentially become the pinnacle of a centralized structure, no matter how small. That’s something I have to reject. The moment it becomes such a structure, it would be the opposite of what I want to achieve.
