The non-fiction novel "Local Gourmet Heroes" set in Fukaura Town, Aomori Prefecture was published on March 16 by the "Fukaura Tuna Cuisine Promotion Council" (Fukaura Town, Nishitsugaru-gun).

The story is based on the main character by Mr. McGraw Suzuki (real name = Jiro Suzuki), a government official who struggles to attract tourists to his birthplace. Focusing on the fact that Fukaura Town is the number one tuna landing prefecture in the prefecture, we draw a story that makes local gourmet "Fukaura tuna steak bowl" a tourist attraction.

Fukaura Town, which is also called "Land of Lone Island" in Aomori Prefecture, is a fishing town located on the west coast of Aomori Prefecture. Yoshiyuki Homma, the author, says, "The population of Fukaura-cho boasted 20,000 at the peak of 1965 (Showa 40), but now it is about 8,000". From April 2012 to March 2016, Homma was assigned to Fukaura Town as a reporter for the local newspaper "Tooku Nippo". It was said that he met Mr. Suzuki, who was a staff member of the Tourism Division at the time, during the four-year news gathering activities until he was transferred.

Mr. Homma said, “Mr. Suzuki has an interesting idea that I can't think of as a civil servant. At that time, if I had time, I wore a conspicuous headgear and waved my hand towards the running Nohsen line to promote tourism and business cards. I used to put the words "thank you" larger than my name and title."

"I'm away from Fukaura now, but I can't forget the experience and warmth of people I've gained in Fukaura." “I was limited in what I could do as a newspaper reporter. With this project, I decided to write a small gratitude to the people of Fukaura,” Homma said.

Mr. Suzuki smiles, "At first, I imagined a book like a graduation collection." "I'm just thankful that what I've done has become such a great book." It took more than half a year to produce the film, and Mr. Homma used his days off to collect data separately from his main business. Hiro Nakata, the producer of "Fukaura Tuna Steak Bowl", was in charge of editing.

"The Fukaura tuna steak bowl that Suzuki, who is full of Fukaura love, has now sold over 240,000 meals in total, and this has triggered the change of the region. His feeling that he wants to call "Regional fool" with respect If the readers can convey the charm of the colleagues who worked with us," says Homma.

Mr. Suzuki said, "I hope that those who are aiming to become civil servants in the future, those who are working as civil servants now, and those who are wondering how to work will receive some hints."

The price is 1,650 yen. It will be sold on the "Fukaura Tuna Steak Bowl" official website.