Meet the Youngest-Ever Mayor in Japan’s History | Ryosuke Takashima | TED

Ryosuke Takashima, the youngest mayor in Japanese history for Ashiya City, emphasizes listening to citizens, especially younger generations who cannot vote. He visits schools, sharing lunches and holding casual chats to gather authentic feedback. This led to installing air conditioners in school gyms. Takashima champions communication and dialogue, holding meetings where citizens and the mayor sit in a circle to discuss issues. For instance, elderly residents expressed concerns about busy community centers. Instead of a monetary gift for seniors, the city used funds to create new centers offering wellness advice, a change explained and understood through dialogue. He also facilitated a successful plan for local shops to close a street for cherry blossom viewing food stalls, a proposal initially controversial with residents, but resolved through citizen and shop collaboration. Takashima believes citizens, not just the government, create the town's vision and can improve society, aiming to shift this mindset.