
Nariaki Obukuro
Slogan
"Renewal"


In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic changed our lives drastically. As people were urged to stay home and many businesses were forced to close, we came to rediscover the value of nature and culture—how nature's beauty can heal us and how art and sports can inspire hope for the future.
But what about Saitama City today? Unplanned urban development has led to the construction of generic commercial buildings around the stations, stripping away our city's identity and uniqueness. Over the past 20 years, more than 10% of the city's green spaces have disappeared, leaving children with fewer and fewer places to play. Despite having great potential for tourism and business, the city lacks an effective PR strategy, and its branding remains almost nonexistent. Somewhere along the way, we stopped feeling proud of our own city.
In 2025, let's renew Saitama City together. Instead of a top-down, government-led approach, we must shift toward a community-driven city planning process. By embracing a global perspective, we can transform Saitama into a thriving hub for tourism and business. Now is the time for new leadership—to reclaim our lost identity and build a sustainable future.

Vision and Promises
1A City to Be Proud Of

The Problematic Use of Tax Funds
Why Can't We Take Pride in Our Own City? Over the past few decades, urban development has gradually eroded our connection to Saitama City. Generic commercial buildings have replaced the city's unique landscape, making it harder to distinguish our town from any other. While large amounts of tax money are being spent on local currency apps and cycling events, public pools and sports facilities remain neglected, falling further into disrepair. If we don't rethink how our tax money is used, Saitama's landscape and culture will continue to fade away.
Four Promises
Action-Based City Planning to Reclaim Our Pride!
Public Space Deregulation

Relax the rules on the use of public squares and decks in front of stations, partially lift restrictions on playing ball games in parks, and promote the commercial use of dead spaces. By increasing flexibility in the use of public spaces, we will provide citizens with more opportunities and places for self-expression, bringing new energy to the city.
Sports Facility Improvements

Renovate Arakawa General Sports Park and Komaba Athletic Field. Expand gym areas and improve reservation systems. Install basketball courts and skate parks in available spaces. Strengthen community bonds through sports.
Design Team Renewal

Renew government and public facility websites to provide accessible public services. Maintain consistent design in government documents and promotional materials. Implement digital transformation in administrative processes using AI.
Municipal Organization Reform

A rigid, top-down organizational structure is stifling the creativity and flexible ideas of city employees. To address this, we will reform the personnel evaluation system, eliminate unnecessary administrative tasks, and streamline government processes. By strengthening the authority of ward offices, we will empower frontline staff to take initiative and implement innovative solutions.
2Living With Nature

New Arena Construction Issue at Yono Central Park
Saitama City promotes itself as a “green friendly city.” However, in reality, the city's green coverage has declined by over 10% in the past 20 years, and the natural environment is rapidly disappearing. Despite this, plans are underway to build a new sports arena in Yono Central Park. This 13.1 billion Yen project will take away a precious play area for children and create a facility that only a limited number of sports organizations can use. Moreover, this project is unlikely to be financially self-sustaining. Is this really what our city needs for the future?
Four Promises
Review the redevelopment plan and create a sustainable society together!
Redevelopment Plan Review

I will shift our policy from merely preserving greenery to actively increasing it. This includes reviewing the redevelopment plan for Yono Central Park and transforming the planned site for the new Juntendo University Hospital into a large disaster prevention park. By aiming for a 50% green coverage rate, we will strive to become Japan's first National Park City.
Waterway Development

Renovate walking paths along the Shiba and Konuma Rivers, and develop citizen-accessible water gates. Install public boat cafes to enhance waterfront appeal. This is also crucial for flood control and heat island effect mitigation due to climate change.
Bicycle Path Expansion

I will transform Saitama into Japan's most advanced city for cycling. This includes a complete redesign of roads with strict separation of pedestrians and vehicles, renovations of public bicycle parking facilities, and safer bike lanes, especially for students. By improving east-west mobility, we will create a more comfortable and efficient transportation network, boosting the local economy.
Green Investment Promotion

To accelerate decarbonization, I will provide low-interest, flexible loans to projects that commit to zero-emission goals. This includes investments in businesses developing energy storage technology and next-generation mobility solutions. By supporting these initiatives, we aim to achieve both economic growth and sustainable urban development.
3An International Urban Center

Hidden Waitlisted Children
Despite branding itself as a "Saitama New Urban Center," The City is falling behind in globalization. The challenge is not just a matter of language skills—it stems from a lack of openness to diverse cultures and values. In education, increasing class hours have placed a heavier burden on teachers, making it difficult to accommodate diverse learning styles. As a result, the number of children refusing to attend school is rising. Meanwhile, the city promotes a "zero waitlist" policy for childcare, yet many families still struggle to enroll their children in their preferred daycare centers, creating a hidden waitlist problem that limits flexible work options for parents.
Four Promises
Connect Saitama directly with the world and aim for an international new urban center!
Zero Hidden Waitlisted Children

I will enhance local welfare and childcare support to accommodate diverse lifestyles. To address the "hidden waitlist" issue, we will strengthen public-private partnerships to expand childcare facilities. Additionally, we will reconsider the policy of closing public daycare centers and raise wages for childcare workers, creating a city where families can raise their children with peace of mind.
Education Reform

Correcting long working hours for teachers. Improving Global Study Program. Promoting the transfer of club activities to the community. Aiming to create a workplace where teachers find their work fulfilling. Developing a framework for data protection of personal information to safeguard children's privacy.
Passport Acquisition Grant

Saitama City will partially cover the application fee for citizens under the age of 18 who are obtaining a passport for the first time. Promoting globalization, particularly among young people, as part of the city's vision of being an internationally open city. Ultimately, cultivating the foundation to become a hub for international exchange.
Sister City Program Utilization

Actively engaging in international exchange with sister cities. Promoting the employment of foreign teachers and actively accepting exchange students. Organizing events such as the "Omiya Bonsai Exhibition" overseas and international football matches, to promote Saitama City abroad directly.
Roadmap
2025First Year of Renewal
- Strategic Redevelopment Review
- Design Team Formation
- Personnel and Budget Review
- Cancellation of Saitama Criterium
2026System Reform
- Website Renewal
- Childcare Worker Wage Increase
- Care Worker Treatment Improvement
- Scenic Zone Ordinance Amendment
- Public Facility Wi-Fi Installation
- Children's Rights Ordinance Enactment
- Silver Pass Introduction
- Passport Acquisition Grant
- School Kitchen Air Conditioning Installation
2027Cultural Reform
- Yono Central Park Opening
- Shiba River Promenade Completion
- Komaba Athletic Field Renovation
- Zero Special Nursing Home Waitlist
- Public Nursery Maintenance Expansion
- Bicycle Lane Design
- Public Bicycle Parking Renewal
- Omiya Bonsai Museum Profitability
- Community Club Activities Promotion
2028Decarbonization Acceleration
- EV Charging Infrastructure Expansion
- Urawa Misono Disaster Prevention Park Opening
- Waterway Network Establishment
- Green Investment Acceleration
- Nanasato Station North Side Green Space
- Autonomous Bus Service Launch
2029Birth of International City
- New IB School Certification
- Charging Road Expansion
- Welfare Rate Improvement
- Organic Farming Tourism Development
- East-West Access Improvement
2030Japan's New Urban Center
- Japan's First National Park City
Download
Manifesto (PDF)Profile

Nariaki Obukuro
Born on April 30, 1991, 33 years old. A musician and business owner from Urawa Ward, Saitama City. After graduating from the Faculty of International Business at Rikkyo University, he founded the music record company TOKA. While producing songs for various artists both domestically and internationally, he also debuted as an artist himself with the single "Lonely One feat. Hikaru Utada" in 2016. In January 2025, he will release his fourth album, Zatto, and will embark on a nationwide tour, performing in seven locations across the country.
Town Meeting
We are recruiting volunteer staff to help renew Saitama City together with Nariaki Obukuro. We need as many people as possible, even if only in your spare time, since we do not have the support of large organisations or groups. We look forward to working with you!
- Morning Session:
- 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- Afternoon Session:
- 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
- April 12 (Sat)
- Saitama Education Hall
- April 13 (Sun)
- Saitama Education Hall
- April 19 (Sat)
- Omiya Sonic City
- April 20 (Sun)
- Omiya DOM PART2
Donation
Nariaki Obukuro Supporters' Association is seeking donations from supporters. Your contributions will be used to fund the operation of our office, the printing of flyers and other materials, and various campaign activities.
Please note: In accordance with the Political Funds Control Act (1948), donations from foreign individuals or foreign corporations are prohibited. Thank you for your understanding.