Joint Campaign by Six Hokkaido TV Stations Featuring Original Song Production and Simulcast Special Broadcasts
In May 2018, six television stations in Hokkaido (NHK Sapporo Broadcasting Station, Hokkaido Broadcasting, Sapporo Television Broadcasting, Hokkaido Television, Hokkaido Cultural Broadcasting, and TV Hokkaido) launched the "One Hokkaido Project" (Executive Committee Chair: Hisao Wakaizumi, Director of NHK Sapporo Broadcasting Station; Sponsors: Ishiya Seika, Nitori, Yotsuba Dairy, Ain Pharmacy, JA Kyosai, Asahi Breweries, All Nippon Airways, Nissan Motor, Hokkaido Shimbun, and Loginet Japan).
Official website: https://one-hokkaido.jp/
The project aims to leverage what local TV stations within Hokkaido can uniquely achieve for the region's development and prosperity, looking 50 years into the future, coinciding with the 150th anniversary of Hokkaido's naming in 2018.
At a joint press conference held in May by representatives and announcers from the six TV stations to mark the launch, the first-year concept "Let's Pass It On" was announced, along with an explanation of the project outline and enthusiasm for the initiative.
One of the first-year topics is the creation of a "Song of Hokkaido" to be sung for the next 50 years.
Lyricist Rei Nakanishi and composer Yoshikazu Tsutaya, both with ties to Hokkaido, created the song "Our Path" based on messages collected from Hokkaido residents. The lyrics, which Nakanishi says he wrote "while recalling his own youth and with a troubled heart," carry a message for the younger generation. They blend with Tsutaya's melody, which conveys warmth and hope for the future.
Thirty groups comprising 38 artists, actors, talents, and athletes—all either from Hokkaido or with ties to the region—participated in the recording. The completed song is being broadcast on various stations and is scheduled for release on streaming platforms and CD, with proceeds going to charity.
A "Choral Version" (sung by the Sapporo Asahigaoka High School Choir) is also available, promoted for use in educational institutions.
On February 23rd, the six stations will simultaneously broadcast the special live program "Everyone's Hokkaido Festival! 2019" (2:00 PM to 3:00 PM).
On the 12th, a production announcement event was held at NHK Sapporo Broadcasting Station. Along with revealing performer information and program details, announcers from each participating station took the stage to discuss their station's assigned segments and their enthusiasm for the event.
Hosting duties will be handled by actor Yo Oizumi, a native of Hokkaido, and the comedy duo Taka and Tosh. Mascot characters from each station are also scheduled to appear, promising a program that brings together the full strength of all six stations.
The program's theme is "Dreams." Centered around the song "Our Path," the six stations will unite to support "the dreams of Hokkaido residents."
The main segment is a grand chorus of "Our Dreams." People in the studio, at remote locations, and gathered beneath weather cameras at six spots across Hokkaido will sing together. Combined with pre-recorded singing footage from celebrities already announced, a grand music video will be completed live during the broadcast.
Additionally, the program will connect live with people across Hokkaido pursuing their dreams in various fields and feature messages from famous individuals who have spread their wings from Hokkaido to the nation and the world.
While the six stations will generally broadcast the same content, each station will air its own "Exclusive Footage Corner," featuring carefully selected rare footage unique to that station.
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