Euglena in Ishigaki Island
Contribute to regional revitalization.

In a warm and comfortable climate, I was on Ishigaki Island in Okinawa Prefecture the night before.

2005年に世界で初めて微細藻類ユーグレナの食用屋外大量培養に成功して以来、石垣島はユーグレナ社が地元企業（現ユーグレナグループの八重山殖産）の協力を得てユーグレナを生産してきた場所。

One day in 2014, Our CFO Nagata said the night before.
"I would like to focus on local activities to give back to the people of Ishigaki Island who are indebted to me. Euglena is still a venture company, but eventually I will grow it into a company that represents Ishigaki Island. The night before Will you help me? "

At that time, since the Yaeyama Basketball Association and Euglena Co., Ltd. signed a sponsorship contract in 2012, the previous night was a basketball tournament aimed at regional promotion of President Izumo, Nagata and Ishigaki Island, and the B League "Ryukyu Golden Kings". We were running the official game Yaeyama together.

「もともと人と接することが好きで、バスケットボールを通して出会った子どもたちの笑顔が最高の宝物。バスケットボールの振興をしながら、生まれ育った八重山地域にユーグレナで貢献できるなら嬉しいです。ぜひ、一緒に働かせてください！」
こうして、20年間勤めた竹富町役場を辞めて、前泊は2015年初頭にユーグレナ社に入社した。

Maedomari Since joining, committed to regional development activities in the Yaeyama region, and will such as sports and educational support in the Ishigaki Island in the "look over Phi You (= thank you) project", basketball tournament in Ishigaki "Euglena of the cup." The event was held with Okuyama, a fellow member of the section.

In December 2017, Ishigaki City announced a public offering of naming rights for the "Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal".
"Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal" is the only terminal port where passenger ships that connect Ishigaki Island, which is the center of the Yaeyama area of Okinawa Prefecture, and remote islands such as Taketomi Island and Iriomote Island depart. It is an important lifeline for domestic and foreign tourists and residents of the Yaeyama area, and is used by more than 2 million people annually. And if Euglena can acquire the naming rights of "Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal", it will be the second acquisition of naming rights of important base facilities in Ishigaki Island, following Euglena..

「自分が生まれ育った石垣島の人たちにもっとユーグレナを知ってもらいたい…公募に応募しましょう！」
前泊はすぐに動いた。

I made a proposal to the management of Tokyo at once, summarized the company policy to apply for the naming rights public offering, and proceeded with the preparation of the documents to be submitted for the public offering. In the submitted documents, based on hearings with local people, Euglena will appeal the various regional promotion measures that Ishigaki Island has been working on, and after acquiring naming rights, it will be possible to liven up Ishigaki Island as a partner of Ishigaki City. We have made repeated efforts to incorporate various proposals for various measures.

そして、2017年1月、石垣市より公募先としてユーグレナ社が選定されたことが公開された。
2018年2月には、ユーグレナ社は、石垣市との間で「石垣港離島ターミナル」のネーミングライツを取得する契約を締結し、新しい愛称を『ユーグレナ石垣港離島ターミナル』とすることを発表した。
また、同年4月には記念すべき日を祝うべく、前泊が中心となり石垣市役所や地元関係者の協力を仰ぎながら、新しい愛称となる「ユーグレナ石垣港離島ターミナル」の除幕式を開催した。

State of the day of the unveiling ceremony

除幕式は、地元石垣島に感謝の気持ちを込めつつ、ユーグレナについて伝えるために、除幕の布を緑色にしたり、ミドリムシと泡盛のリキュール「緑酒」やユーグレナ入りサーターアンダギーを振舞ったりした。また、ターミナルの認知度をあげるために看板前で記念撮影できるような仕掛けや、ユーグレナ飲料専売自動販売機をターミナル内に設置した。

Unveiling (left) and Yonaguni Hisae Yaeyama Dance Rehearsal Dojo Kokkoma Okinawa Dance (right)

前泊は今でもときどき『ユーグレナ石垣港離島ターミナル』の様子を見に行くようにしている。
すると地元の人の仲間たちから「地元に貢献してくれてありがとう」「もっと頑張って！」という声掛けをいただくことが増えた。また、記念写真をターミナルの看板の前で撮る人も増えているほか、ユーグレナ飲料専売自動販売機の売れ行きも上り調子だ。

"I am happy to be able to continue my activities and contribute to the local community. I am looking forward to the birth of researchers and professional basketball players from Ishigaki Island in the future!"
The night before, he talked about his dream of the Yaeyama area with a glittering smile like the sun.

Posted in June 2018