Key points

On October 12, 2026, the Japanese Communist Party's Asahikawa City Supporters Association and others hosted an "Autumn Leaves Festival" in Asahikawa City, Hokkaido, welcoming party Vice Chair Akiko Kurabayashi. Participants renewed their determination toward victory in next year's unified local elections. In her speech, Kurabayashi emphasized a uniform reduction of the consumption tax, raising the minimum wage, and improving the treatment of care workers, advocating taxation on the wealthy and support for those in need as the fundamental path of politics. [1]

Autumn Leaves Festival Held in Asahikawa City, Hokkaido, and Declaration of Political Resolve

On October 12, 2026, the Japanese Communist Party's Asahikawa City Supporters Association, the Asahikawa District Committee, and the Kamikawa District Committee hosted an "Autumn Leaves Festival" in Asahikawa City, Hokkaido, welcoming party Vice Chair Akiko Kurabayashi. Party members and supporters participated in the event, strengthening their resolve toward victory in next year's unified local elections. [1]

Speech by Vice Chair Akiko Kurabayashi and Her Appeals

In her speech, Vice Chair Akiko Kurabayashi called for a uniform reduction of the consumption tax and an increase in the minimum wage, emphasizing the concept of "Tax the Rich." She stated that politics should fundamentally involve taxing the wealthy and redistributing support to those in need. [1]

She also pointed out that the shortage of medical and care workers is due to the government's low treatment of these professions. She emphasized that care work is an important job that protects human development and dignity, and urged that the government should take responsibility for improving the treatment of care workers, asking the public to entrust this role to the Japanese Communist Party. [1]

Introduction of Candidates for the Unified Local Elections and Report on New Party Members

At the gathering, Noriko Mashimo, a Hokkaido Assembly member retiring this term, reflected on her activities, including exposing and pursuing the issue of Hokkaido Electric Power's "staged" incidents related to the Tomari Nuclear Power Plant. Mashimo introduced Minako Nakamura, the candidate for the Hokkaido Assembly, and called for victory in the unified local elections. [1]

Candidate Minako Nakamura appealed that the Japanese Communist Party's seats are important to stop politics that spend enormous funds on war preparations. Additionally, four new party members were reported on this day. Prospective candidates for city and town councils also expressed their determination toward the unified local elections. [1]

Timing of Autumn Leaves Viewing in Hokkaido and Regional Differences

The timing of autumn leaves viewing in Hokkaido varies by elevation and region, typically progressing from the mountains to the lowlands between mid-September and early November. The mountainous and northern Hokkaido areas, including the Daisetsuzan mountain range (Asahidake and Kurodake), have peak viewing from mid-September to mid-October. [2]

The eastern Hokkaido area sees peak colors from late September to mid-October, the central area from early October to early November, and the southern area from mid-October to early November. In 2026, the peak season tends to be later than usual, and the timing may vary across locations. [2] [3]

Status and Cancellation Information of Autumn Leaves Festivals in 2026

One of Hokkaido's representative autumn leaves festivals, the Kamifurano Tokachidake Autumn Leaves Festival, which is usually held from October 3 to 11, was canceled in 2026. While the Autumn Leaves Festival in Asahikawa City was held as planned, there are differences in the status of festivals in other regions. [4]