Clean Air, Starry Sky National Celebration in Asahi Town

Home of the unique Air Shrine, Asahi Town hosted the 2024 Starry Sky Town, Blue Sky Town convention, making the most of its exceptionally clean environment.

Asahi Town's terraced rice fields under the Milky Way (© Tomoaki Hanawa, Yamagata Astronomical Club)

Mika Sugiura

2024-10-23 [Published 1 month ago]

Asahi Town is famous as the home to the world's only Air Shrine. In September, the Yamagata Prefecture town received renewed attention with the national "Starry Sky Town, Blue Sky Town" convention, The event is centered on preserving clear blue skies and starry nights while promoting environmental conservation.

Asahi Town is home to the world's only shrine dedicated to air as a deity. Renowned for its clean air and breathtaking natural beauty, this picturesque town hosted the Starry Sky Town, Blue Sky Town convention.

The event emphasized the importance of environmental conservation and regional revitalization. Princess Hisako of Takamado attended, and participants pledged to take personal action to protect the natural environment for future generations.

'Clear Air, Starry Skies, and Blue Skies Forever!'

Then-Minister of the Environment Shintaro Ito expressed his hopes before the approximately 200 people at the ceremony. "I hope this wonderful environment will be preserved as a source of local pride and passed on to future generations," he emphasized.

Governor of Yamagata Prefecture Governor Mieko Yoshimura shared 2021 data showing Yamagata had the lowest annual average PM 2.5 (particulate matter) levels in Japan. She also emphasized, "Asahi Town, home to the Air Shrine, symbolizes our gratitude for clean air. And it reflects our aspirations for a beautiful homeland and planet.

Asahi Town Mayor Hiroyuki Suzuki expressed his constituents' hopes. He declared, "From Asahi Town, we want to send the message of clean air, starry skies, and our vision of an eco-museum town to the entire nation. We hope this convention becomes a significant step toward a sustainable region where people and nature coexist in harmony."

Princess Hisako added, "It's important for each of us to think about what we can do and to take action. I hope this convention inspires everyone to reflect on the significance of nature and get involved in activities to protect it."

*Princess Hisako of Takamado attending the convention (©JAPAN Forward by Mika Sugiura)*

Revitalization Harnessing Local Environmental Resources

The national Starry Sky Town, Blue Sky Town convention is an initiative aimed at raising awareness about the importance of protecting air quality. It encourages simple actions, such as stargazing, to achieve this goal. It also aims to promote regional revitalization by making the most of the local environment. Since its inception in 1989, the event has been held annually across Japan. Princess Hisako has attended since the seventh edition.

Located in Yamagata Prefecture, Asahi Town is home to the world's only shrine dedicated to the air. It is even called the Air Shrine. Moreover, the town has officially designated June 5 as Air Day. It has also committed to becoming a zero-carbon city. These initiatives foster a sense of gratitude for clean air. Furthermore, they were key factors in selecting Asahi Town as host of the 36th National Convention.

*Rain at the Air Shrine on the day after the convention. The main hall reflects the beech forest outside (©JAPAN Forward by Mika Sugiura).*

*The Air Shrine lit up at night (©JAPAN Forward by Mika Sugiura).*

*At this shrine, the prayer ritual involves two bows, four claps, raising both hands for a deep breath, and concluding with a final bow (©JAPAN Forward by Mika Sugiura).*

Eco Museum Initiatives

The Yamagata Astronomical Club received the 2024 Environment Minister's Award for promoting astronomy through citizen-led stargazing events. It has organized stargazing events continuously since 1971.

The Convention Committee Chair's Award went to organizations such as the Asahi Town Eco Museum Association. It is an NPO dedicated to community development by utilizing local natural resources. In total, three organizations and two individuals were honored for their contributions.

In her address, Princess Hisako spoke about the Eco Museum initiative. She called it a unique approach where "the entire town is a museum, and each resident is a curator." This concept emphasizes harnessing the region's natural environment and resources to foster both community development and individual growth.

Taking Pride in Clear Skies

Shinetsu Nagaoka, President of the Eco Museum Association, explained. "Our goal has been for the people of this town to fully understand and appreciate their local nature and culture, take pride in it, and enjoy living here," he said.

The association also organizes stargazing events at Asahi Shizenkan, a lodging facility with panoramic views of the Asahi Mountain Range. They have furthermore collaborated with the Ministry of the Environment's night sky brightness survey. The location has been certified with a national rating of over Grade 20. That marks it as a prime location where the Milky Way is easily visible.

Five elementary school students who participated in the stargazing event took the stage to share their experiences. A third-grader said, "I saw the craters on the moon and the globular cluster M13 for the first time." A fifth-grader added, "I learned that what looks like a single star to the naked eye is actually two separate stars." One at a time, each student shared their impressions.

Shinetsu Nagaoka commented, "It's something to be very proud of. I want to continue sharing the beauty of the night sky and a love for our hometown with the children."

*Elementary school students sharing their stargazing impressions on stage, with Nagaoka at the podium (© Asahi Town)*

Contributing to Regional Revitalization

The idea of an air shrine was originally proposed by a local farmer. "It feels great to work in the fresh mountain air," he often said. At first, the idea wasn't taken seriously. However, after his death in 1990, local residents came together to fund the construction of a stainless steel shrine in the beech forest. Although referred to as a shrine, it is more accurately regarded as a monument. The deity enshrined is air. It is now known as the world's only shrine dedicated to air. Worshippers who visit feel the presence of the deity through the echo of their clapped hands.

In connection with the town's focus on air, Panasonic Heating & Ventilation A/C Company runs a program called Kids Air Lab at the local elementary school. Through this program, children learn about the importance of air. Other companies, such as Kawakami Sangyo, which produces air-cushioning material known as "Putiputi," and Daikin Industries, have also partnered with the town.

Fighting Depopulation

The beauty of the starry sky reflects the area's minimal light pollution. Meanwhile, it also highlights the challenge of rural depopulation.

Like many rural areas in Japan, Asahi Town faces a shrinking population. However, by centering regional revitalization efforts around the Air Shrine, the town has successfully hosted a national convention, which included attendance by the Minister of the Environment.

*Princess Hisako also participated in a tree-planting event (© Asahi Town)*

*Princess Hisako listened to an explanation at Ōnuma no Ukishima. She also participated in a tree-planting event (© Asahi Town)*

The day after the ceremony, Princess Hisako visited Ōnuma no Ukishima, a nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty. There, she took part in a tree-planting event at the roadside station Michi-no-Eki Asahi-machi. Also, she was introduced to the town's local treasures, including its specialty apples and other fruits. Her visit provided the town with a further opportunity to showcase its unique offerings.

The vision of a villager, who sought to emphasize the importance of air, inspired the creation of the Air Shrine. His wish not only fostered a sense of environmental stewardship but also helped pave the way for the town's future.