The Professionals S2016E14 - The Town Holds the Answers - Eiji Teramoto, Civil Servant

Eiji Teramoto, an employee in the Ohnan Town Office in Shimane Prefecture, is drawing attention from local officials around Japan. More than 40% of the 11,000 townspeople are elderly. Depopulation is a serious concern, but he's helped keep the population stable for 3 years running. He's achieved this through local revitalization projects centered on the concept of gourmet dining. By highlighting the town's unique products and cuisine, he's attracted both tourists and new residents to Ohnan. The philosophy underpinning his approach is "nurture local pride". As he says, "Local food is the best, and it's the local people make that food. And that's why local people shine. I take pride in that and it guides my life". Take pride in one's town and the local resources it produces. Convinced that both of these ideas hold the key to reviving communities, Teramoto is always on the move, for the sake of his town.