Competition for snow removal technology in heavy snowfall areas Niigata Minami Uonuma October 21, 4:28
A competition for snow removal technology was held in Minami Uonuma City, Niigata Prefecture, which is known for its heavy snowfall.
This is because the number of successors to operators who are responsible for snow removal is decreasing, so Niigata Prefecture and Minami Uonuma City opened for the first time to get people interested in lesser-known snow removal techniques.
On the 20th, about 150 people concerned gathered at the venue in Minami Uonuma City, and a ceremony was held in which local elementary school students handed over the keys of the snowplow.
Fifteen operators, who are usually involved in civil engineering and construction work, participated in the competition, and four events were held to compete for steering wheel handling for driving heavy machinery and techniques for removing snow.
Of these, in the event of removing the lumps of sand that looked like snow piled up on the drums without knocking down the drums, cheers were raised from those who saw the skillful technique.
Shinji Takamura, who participated in the tournament, said, "I am proud of this work, so I would like to continue to improve my skills."
A local man in his 60s who was on the lookout said, "Snow removal is essential in this area. There is a shortage of successors, but I hope young people will be interested in it."