Breaking Through Silver Politics: How Education and "Aura" Reinvigorate Stagnant Regions

YCAPS is delighted to announce the next event in the Community Conversations seminar series in the Sasebo community! This event will feature Mr. Gentaro Hondo, Former Mayoral Candidate for Arita, Saga Prefecture and Owner/Operator of the Letchworth Hondo Classroom.

Mr. Hondo will present the "light and shadow" aspects of local elections and briefly explain the structure behind the "shadow" side. He will also share a few examples of the "light" that he encountered during his election experience. By describing the human and geographical resources unique to Arita Town, he will also discuss theories applicable to traditional industrial regions across Japan. Looking at the dark sides of local politics and the global economy in light of the economic concept of "compensation" (value exchange).

Mr. Hondo proposes a solution through "youth education" including concrete examples of methods to break through the stagnation of local politics as well as education for the elderly to combat “silver politics” which is prevalent in aging societies. This can represent the type of Innovation that economist Peter Drucker described. Finally, he will introduce the concept of “Aura” which was proposed by thinker Walter Benjamin, alongside photographs of the area around the Sasebo military base to end on a refreshing and uplifting note.

All are welcome and free food and refreshments will be provided.

Please use this link to register for the event. (optional)

Schedule:

• 11:30-12:00 Refreshments & Networking (food & drinks)
• 12:00-13:00 Presentation and Q&A
• 13:00-13:20 Closing Comments/ Post Event Conversing

Location:

Machinaka Community Center

5-5 Tokiwacho, Sasebo, Nagasaki 857-0053

Google Map

Speaker:

Mr. Gentaro Hondo is the owner and operator of Letchworth Hondo Classroom, and part-time lecturer at Nagasaki International University, Nagasaki Junior College and Arita Junior Highschool. Mr Honda completed his Master of Economics and Wakayama University Graduate School and is also a former MENSA member. Mr. Hondo was also a mayoral candidate in the 2026 Arita Mayoral election in Saga Prefecture.

Event Cost: Free of charge

Location: Machinaka Community Center, 5-5 Tokiwacho, Sasebo, Nagasaki 857-0053

Google Maps: Here

Moderators: Keiko Boettcher & Ed Thompson

Language: English

Registration: Optional via this link.