JAL, which has bases throughout Japan, has been continuously implementing regional revitalization initiatives (currently the “JAL Furusato Project”), and in August 2020 launched the “JAL Furusato Ambassadors,” cabin crew members selected through an in-house recruitment process who move to the area to promote initiatives in their respective regions. In December of the same year, JAL appointed “JAL Hometown Cheering Troops” who are involved in regional revitalization while serving as flight attendants. The aim is to develop products and solve regional issues for hometowns and other regions with which they have connections, utilizing the knowledge they have accumulated as flight attendants.
We spoke with Ms. Masuzu Yoshimura, a JAL Furusato Ambassador who is involved in a collaborative tour with JR Kyushu in Kagoshima.
–What can you tell us about your initiatives?
Hello, this is Yoshimura, JAL Furusato Ambassador for the Kagoshima region.
As an initiative to revitalize the local community of our hometown, Kagoshima Prefecture, we will hold a “Journey to the places associated with Ibusuki no Tamatebako” on September 1 in cooperation with JR Kyushu, inviting passengers to board the express train “Ibusuki no Tamatebako” and rediscover the charm of the southern city of Ibusuki.
As ambassadors of Kagoshima, we have planned this tour in the hope that many people will visit Ibusuki City, famous for its beautiful scenery and hot springs, and that the city’s attractions will be widely publicized. We also want to provide an opportunity for local residents to experience the charms of Ibusuki anew, so we are working with JR Kyushu to select the stops and plan the events in the tour.
–How are you involved in this effort?
In fact, Ibusuki is said to be the birthplace of the legend of Ryugu (the Dragon Palace) from the well-known story “Urashima Taro.” The express train “Ibusuki no Tamatebako” connecting Kagoshima Chuo Station and Ibusuki is based on this “Dragon Palace Legend. The “Ibusuki no Tamatebako” express train connecting Kagoshima Chuo Station and Ibusuki is based on the “Dragon Palace Legend. We planned the tour itinerary and in-train services through trial and error in order to interest everyone in learning more about Ibusuki by stopping at the “Ryugu Shrine,” which is associated with the legend of Ryugu.
We have also created an original postcard certificate to make the trip more memorable. Children can also enjoy writing messages on the postcard and posting them in the happy yellow postbox at Nishi-Oyama Station, the southernmost station in Japan.
–What are your future plans and prospects?
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