In order to think about a system and make that system work, you will need the “fundamentals”. For example, the American city of Detroit, which once prospered and then declined due to its automobile industry, has recently been gaining momentum. We introduced a system that allows citizens to manage and operate city parks free of charge. The appointed citizen became an entrepreneur selling hot dogs in the park. In exchange for the right to sell hot dogs at the park, the hot dog shop manages and cleans the park. The city saved money on park maintenance and cleaning labor costs, and the hot dog vendor made a profit from sales. A dormant public facility has now become a “magic wand” that generates profits.
Looking at cases like this, facilities managed by Japanese municipalities have the potential to be a treasure trove. One of Japan’s “launching magic wands” will be the closure of elementary and junior high schools. For example, in the 14-year period starting in 2002, approximately 6,800 public schools were closed nationwide. Of the 6,800 abandoned schools, nearly 900 were demolished without being reused. However, many are still in use as welfare facilities, experiential exchange facilities, museums, offices, etc. Just as we have made good use of the parks in Detroit, it seems that there are magic wands that can be used to create capital throughout Japan.
There is data that shows that medical expenses for people who exercise 2 to 3 times a week are about 40,000 yen less per year. The more people exercise, the more it will help municipalities financially in terms of medical expenses. The most important thing in continuing to exercise is finding a place where you can exercise. It is important that the space can be used all year round. The gymnasium can be used all year round. The outdoor pool is open only during the summer. However, if you turn this into an indoor heated pool, you can use it all year round. It costs approximately 100 million yen to construct one outdoor pool. In the case of a municipality with 50 elementary schools, it can be calculated that it would cost 5 billion yen. An indoor pool costs about 1 billion yen. If five indoor pools were built in the city for 5 billion yen and shared by 50 elementary schools, they would be available for use all year round. The pool can also be opened to the general public during times when the school is not using it. In Chuo Ward, Tokyo, the “school heated pool” is open to the public. Admission fee is 350 yen for adults living in the ward and 500 yen for adults outside the ward. Admission is free for residents aged 65 and older. It seems that we need to use the wisdom of municipalities to find places for exercise and find ways to add value to them.
