"Slow" Projects and Characteristics of the City of Maebashi-Akagi

Environmental Protection and Energy: The city constantly monitors air and public water quality. The waste sorting system is highly advanced: citizens separate waste into 10 different categories (including burnable, non-burnable, plastic, glass, cans, PET bottles, and paper). Until 2014, the municipality subsidized the purchase of 5,975 domestic composting machines. On the energy front, efforts have been made to promote renewable energy (between 2005 and 2015, 5,975 residential solar power systems were subsidized) and to introduce HEMS (Home Energy Management System) devices to control domestic power consumption.

Urban Quality, Infrastructure, and Mobility: The city's Master Plan, updated in 2015, establishes the development of a community with a low environmental impact. Maebashi's streets feature sidewalks reserved for both pedestrians and bicycles, with the future goal of creating separate cycling paths. Near the north exit of JR Maebashi Station, there is an innovative automated and compact storage facility for sports bicycles. In the urban center, a point-based system is in place to incentivize local non-profit public activities, alongside comprehensive projects to eliminate architectural barriers in railway stations (including tactile paving for visually impaired individuals).

Agriculture, Local Products, and Traditions: In the agricultural area of Ōgo, "community farms" have been established—plots of land that citizens can rent for independent cultivation and children's education. A certification system for premium agricultural products has been implemented under the "Akagi no Megumi" brand. The administration plans to directly use these locally grown vegetables in school canteens and local restaurants. Short supply chain commercialization is supported by 5 direct agricultural markets, 3 of which are part of the "Michi no Eki" (roadside station) network.

Technological Development, Security, and Resilience: A "City Plan for Disaster Prevention" is continuously updated to ensure prompt responses to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and typhoons. The emergency infrastructure includes a "disaster prevention radio system" managed via the local community FM. For daily ICT use, the city provides interactive platforms, such as a health information service for mothers and children.

Integration, Hospitality, and Social Cohesion: Although the foreign population in Japan is generally low, Maebashi hosts residents from over 60 countries (accounting for 1.2% of the population), who are supported by the Maebashi International Association with free counseling and language courses. The socio-welfare system guarantees 18 public and 30 private nursery schools, subsidies for childcare and single parents, and public housing modified to accommodate single elderly residents. The emergency healthcare network is accessible every day, including national holidays.

Tourist Information and "Slow" Awareness: A tourist information point has been opened at the JR station, and a volunteer-based group of tour guides has been formed (including specialized "eco-tour" guides for the Mt. Akagi area, trained in cooperation with local NPOs). The city regularly uses civic newsletters to educate residents about Cittaslow values and promotes the initiative through its official social media channels.

Event List 

Novello Wine Festival: A wine festival utilized in recent years by the Administration to spread knowledge about the principles and themes related to Cittaslow (scheduling its 3rd edition at the time of compilation).

Cultural Events and Traditional Arts: Regular organization of concerts and performances throughout the year to bring the public closer to traditional local arts, coupled with the preservation and promotion of ancient local craftsmanship techniques.

Cooking and Health Classes: Cooking competitions and classes featuring local agricultural products, accompanied by public health lectures on preventing obesity, diabetes (e.g., reducing salt intake), and renal disorders.