Kuwana

Kuwana City is the "boundary city." Kuwana is in Mie Prefecture. Population is about 140,000. But Kuwana is on the prefectural border with Aichi. Kuwana residents cross the prefectural border every day. From Kuwana to Nagoya is 20 minutes by train. Many Kuwana residents work in Nagoya. Are Kuwana residents Mie people? Or Aichi people? Kuwana residents themselves don't know. Kuwana residents answer "neither." Kuwana residents live in identity ambiguity.

Kuwana is an industrial city. Kuwana has metal casting industry. Machinery industry. Kuwana is a "city that makes things." Many Kuwana residents work in factories. Kuwana is adjacent to Aichi Prefecture's automotive industrial zone. Kuwana's factories supply parts to Aichi's automotive factories. Kuwana residents make car parts. But Kuwana residents aren't "Toyota people." Kuwana residents are "subcontractor people." Kuwana residents make parts for Toyota. But never directly thanked by Toyota. Kuwana residents are "invisible workers." Kuwana residents support Toyota's cars. But nobody knows about Kuwana residents.

Kuwana has another "boundary." Kuwana is at the "entrance" to Suzuka Circuit. The road from Nagoya to Suzuka Circuit passes through Kuwana. On F1 Japanese Grand Prix day, tens of thousands of fans pass through Kuwana. Kuwana residents watch from windows, the line of cars heading to the circuit. Ferrari. Mercedes. Red Bull. F1 fans from around the world pass through Kuwana. But nobody stops in Kuwana. Kuwana is a "pass-through city." Kuwana residents are "people who see off." Kuwana residents see off F1 fans. And Kuwana residents think: "We'd like to go to Suzuka Circuit once too." But Kuwana residents don't go. Kuwana residents work in factories on Sundays too.

Kuwana has "hamaguri" (clams). Kuwana is known as the "hamaguri city." Kuwana's hamaguri are Japan's most famous. Kuwana residents take pride in "hamaguri." But "hamaguri" grow "slowly." Hamaguri take years to grow. Kuwana residents also live "slowly." For Kuwana residents, "speed" isn't important. For Kuwana residents, what's important is "quality." Hamaguri quality. Product quality. Life quality. Kuwana residents aren't interested in "driving fast." Kuwana residents are interested in "making good things slowly." So Kuwana residents aren't interested in motorsport.

Kuwana has motorsport contradiction. Kuwana is 30 minutes by car from Suzuka Circuit. Kuwana is adjacent to Aichi Prefecture's automotive industrial zone. Kuwana residents make car parts. Kuwana residents make the "materials" for motorsport every day. But Kuwana residents themselves don't participate in motorsport. Kuwana residents are "makers." Not "enjoyers." Kuwana residents provide materials. Other people enjoy finished products. This is Kuwana residents' role.

Kuwana residents are used to "boundaries." Boundary between Mie and Aichi prefectures. Boundary between manufacturer and consumer. Boundary between waypoint and destination. Kuwana residents always stand on "boundaries." Kuwana residents are "in-between" existence. But Kuwana residents accept this. Kuwana residents take pride in being "boundary." Kuwana residents can see both worlds. See Aichi's industrial zone. See Mie's nature. See people heading to circuit. See themselves working in factories. Kuwana residents are "observers." Kuwana residents don't participate. Kuwana residents watch. And Kuwana residents quietly eat hamaguri.

Kuwana has Nagashima Spa Land. Big amusement park. Kuwana residents know Nagashima Spa Land. But most Kuwana residents have never been. Why? Because Kuwana residents are busy. Kuwana residents work in factories. Kuwana residents have "no time to play." Nagashima Spa Land is a place for tourists. Not a place for Kuwana residents. Kuwana residents are "working people." Not "playing people." This is Kuwana residents' philosophy.

Kuwana is an "invisible city." Kuwana plays an important role. Kuwana supports Aichi Prefecture's automotive industry. Kuwana is the entrance to Suzuka Circuit. Kuwana is the "bridge" connecting Nagoya and Suzuka. But nobody sees Kuwana. Nobody stops in Kuwana. Kuwana residents know this. Kuwana residents accept being "behind the scenes." Kuwana residents don't stand on the main stage. Kuwana residents work backstage. And Kuwana residents think that's fine. For Kuwana residents, "standing out" isn't important. What's important is "fulfilling their role." Kuwana residents continue quietly fulfilling their role today.