A report was published in Journal of the Japanese Society of Snow and Ice Vol. 86, No. 1. In the article, "Introduction of the "Kurokura Sukettotai" : A Community-Driven Snow Removal Organization in Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture" an objective look at an autonomous snow removal organization in a shuraku community is presented.
The Matsunoyama area in Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture, is renowned for heavy snowfall, making snow removal crucial for ensuring public safety. However, the aging population has led to a decline in the number of residents available for snow removal tasks. In response to this challenge, the "Kurokura Sukettotai" a mutual aid organization established through the cooperation of local residents in the Kurokura shuraku, has been actively engaged in snow removal activities. This report presents an overview of the operation, challenges, and future prospects of the snow removal organization based on the author's participation as a member of the Local Vitalization Cooperator collaborating with the "Kurokura Sukettotai"
