Strolling around the downtown Asahikawa !

by Kazu

I strolled around the downtown of Asahikawa City, the famous bar-hopping area of the city called 3-6 Street after the dinner. Not so many tourists could be seen on the street but I could hear some people laughing in some bistros and eateries.

I found a Bib Gourmand Yakittori Bar near the hotel I stayed on the Internet. I decided to try the bar even after the dinner of the Special Committee on that day. I make a point of experiencing what I can't experience other area.

The menu of the grilled skewered chicken bar "Ryou" seemed so simple. The chef might have focused on the skewers specialized in the chef's signature dishes. The atmosphere of the bar was so nice and very comfortable for me.

 

Started with theItalian Restaurant Rivista, Sunagawa !

by Kazu

The Italian restaurant "Rivista" in Sunagawa city located on the hilltop on the opposite side of Iwase Ranch that got a nationwide award for gelato made from the milk produced n in the ranch. 

When we visited and had discussion in Kamisunagawa Town, a brand-new salty and sweet cracker and cream sandwich made in the town. After the industry of coalmine and related area had gone, the town struggled to invite businesses to create new big draw products and develop the industry in its area.

The Special Committee for Coalmine Area Revitalization, Green Transformation and Energy Affairs Research was given the briefing by the mayor of the town on the history and their efforts to revitalize the industry after the coalmine industry had gone.

 

The New Energy Producing Unit in Mikasa City !

by Kazu

This is the hydrogen creating unit made in Germany. It was set up near the shaft tower of Ponbetsu Coalmine in Mikasa City. The structure of the unit seemed to be so complicated but it created 99.9% hydrogen in spite of a defect of a part of the unit.

I supposed the maintenance of the unit required a hectic amount of money tu keep it running and fine. Very thin pipes were working here and there in the unit. As the molecule of hydrogen is very small, the possibility of leak is so high in any operation. 

As inviting the technician from Germany must be so expensive, the unit may be maintained by Japanese technicians in the central part of Japan but as the consumer of the created hydrogen had not been found yet, increasing the operating rate may be tough at this moment.

 

The History of Mikasa City !

by Kazu

The Special Committee for Coalmine Area Revitalization, Green Transformation and Energy Research of  the Hokkaido Legislature made a business research jaunt to Mikasa City that was experimenting "the Clean Coal Technology, getting a hectic amount of subsidies from the Resource and Energy Agency.

The Unit to produce hydrogen from the coal and wood chips in Mikasa City like a small factory seemed to be so expensive and complicated.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

The theory is ;

2C+ O2 = 2CO

CO + H2O = CO2 +H2

Doesn't it need some kinds of catalyst or the substance to play the same role ? The Unit was built on the premises of the former coalmine in Mikasa City. It is near the former landmark of the area, the shaft tower of Ponbetsu Coalmine.

 

The Season of Cold Sea Urchin Pasta !

by Kazu

The season of the delicious sea urchin such as purple sea urchin  and horse-dung sea urchin has come and we had so nice dinner in the Italian Restaurant Mia Angela of Daimaru Department Store in Sapporo. The grilled red beef produced in Furano City and how the meat was cooked was superb and made us so happy.

This is cold spaghetti topped with the roe of purple sea urchin. The pasta seemed to have been flavored with the white seafood broth and something that gave the dish a twist.

Very thin leek-like herbs topped the dish.The taste did not betray our expectation. It satisfied us so much as usual. We are so happy to have such quality Italian restaurant near our office.
 

The Lobbying to the Powerful Parliamentarians !

by Kazu

The Hokkaido Coalmine Area Revitalizing Association composed of the members of the Hokkaido Legislature, the municipalities that had coalmines, Kushiro Coalmine Co., Hokkaido Prefectural Government did also its lobbying to one of the most famous, influential and powerful politician, Mr. Hagiuda Koichi.

He said he was notorious but once the nation got to know that he contributed to the development of clean coal technology for ASEAN countries and the national benefit of Japan, his reputation and impression would change and get better.

I experienced a tough time to hide myself laughing behind him. He may be accused by the US Government n in the not-so-distant future but he is still powerful politician as the Acting Secretary-General of the governing party.

 

The Lobbying to METI !

by Kazu

The Hokkaido Coalmine Area Revitalizing Association composed of the members of the Hokkaido Legislature, the municipalities that had coalmines, Kushiro Coalmine Co., Hokkaido Prefectural Government did also its lobbying to the Vice Minister of Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

Mr. Toshiro INO is the current Vice Minister and it was the second lobbying for us to him. His riding is in Gunma Prefecture but he kindly understood the necessity to support the coalmine that provided the developing countries that had underground coalmines with training program for keeping the work safe. 

The mayors of Kushiro City and Mikasa City, the Chair of the Special Committee for Coalmine Area, Green Transformation and Energy Research Mr. Kenji Funahashi whose riding was and is my hometown Kitami City and the CEO of Kushiro Coalmine Company explained the necessity of the subsidies from the central Government.