About that person and Kesennuma.

Singer FRAM from Kesennuma City was appointed as the "Minato Kesennuma Ambassador" in May 2024. Last year, she launched her long-awaited career as an anime song singer, performing the theme songs for the TV anime series "I Don't Want to Get Hurt, so I'll Max Out My Defense 5" and "Hyakusho Kizoku."
While actively performing live in Tokyo, last year he also appeared in his hometown of Kesennuma at the Kesennuma Sanma Festival 2023. We spoke to FRAM about his future activities as an ambassador and his thoughts on Kesennuma.

Appointment of Ambassador of Kesennuma Minato

▲The Minato Kesennuma Ambassador Commissioning Ceremony held in May 2024

"I was born and raised in Kesennuma, where time passes slowly. I love Kesennuma, and have been personally promoting the city up until now. I'm very happy to now be able to officially promote it. I think there is still a lot of charm in Kesennuma that I don't know about, so I want to go out and see different places, experience their greatness, and spread the word that it's a wonderful city."
At the commissioning ceremony, FRAM spoke passionately about his love for Kesennuma and his future activities as an ambassador.
Mayor Sugawara expressed his expectations, saying, "This is the first time we have appointed someone active in the world of anime and games as an ambassador. I think we have found someone who is perfect for the current era. I hope he will promote Kesennuma to young people."

Fram learned piano together with his siblings in his childhood. His older brother started playing the guitar in junior high school and pursued a career in music. Influenced by his family, Fram grew up in an environment where he was naturally close to music, and by the time he reached junior high school, he had a clear dream of becoming a singer. When he went on to high school, his interest expanded to include subcultures such as anime, games, and Vocaloid.

▲The CD jacket for "Step for Joy" designed by FRAM

"In anime, there is a kind of 'pilgrimage' where fans go to the locations where the series is set. I thought that maybe I could have an impact on someone using the world of my favorite anime, and so my dream of 'singing anime songs' was born."

To make her dream come true, she went to a vocational school in Sendai during her student days, and after graduating she moved to Tokyo. Her steady musical activities bore fruit, and last year she achieved her dream of having a tie-up with an anime song.

Giving back to Kesennuma

Fram says that the reason he sings is to "provide hope and courage to his generation," and he also has a strong desire to "give back to Kesennuma."
"I think there were many people who were unable to fulfill their dreams after the disaster. But I was one of those people who had no hope of fulfilling my dreams. I felt that as someone with dreams, I had a mission, and that I must never give up on my dreams."

▲With his mother, who supports his dream the most

Overcoming harsh reality and realizing his dream, he was able to achieve this thanks in part to the support of the local community of Kesennuma.
"My family knows more about my activities than I do, and they support me. My local friends also find news about FRAM and send me messages. I'm happy and encouraged to hear their words of joy as if it were their own achievement."Even though she wanted to do something for Kesennuma during her student days, she felt inexperienced.
"I thought it would be great if I could go to Sendai or Tokyo, grow bigger and gain more strength, and then release that power when I come back."
True to his words, FRAM, who had made his dream come true through music, finally had the opportunity to sing in Kesennuma at the Kesennuma Sanma Festival 2023.

Years have passed since the earthquake in Kesennuma, and large music events such as the Kesennuma Sanma Festival have begun to take place there, which did not exist when FRAM was a student.

There, in a town where life had returned to life, people were seen enjoying music.

▲Photo provided by Kesennuma Sanma Festival/Photo by Fumiaki Omori

"I feel that Kesennuma is becoming more and more lively, and the number of events is increasing. At the Kesennuma Sanma Festival, I felt that the town was being energized by the power of music. I would like to work with everyone who supports me to make Kesennuma even more lively."

They say they would like to continue to actively participate in events held in Kesennuma.
"I've only been to a few local live shows so far, but I'd like to do more. When I was a child, I used to attend the Kesennuma Minato Festival every year, and whenever there was a live show, I thought to myself that I'd like to perform there someday. That dream hasn't come true yet, so it's a dream for the future."

The theme is "Positive Happy"

FRAM not only composes music, but also writes lyrics.
Since his solo debut, he has been working under the theme of "positive happiness," and his lyrics strongly convey the message that "the future is bright."

▲Photo provided by Kesennuma Sanma Festival/Photo by Fumiaki Omori

"There are difficult times, but if you keep trying, you can make your dreams come true. I want to convey that message through my own example. Of course, I haven't come this far alone. I owe it all to my family, friends, fellow musicians, and the people I met after leaving my hometown. I've been fortunate to have such great people in my life since moving to Tokyo. I want to cherish the connections I make with these people as I continue my activities."

FRAM's determination to move forward toward his dream is sure to inspire the younger generation living in rural areas who share the same dream. We will be supporting FRAM's activities from Kesennuma as he runs through the front lines of Japan's new subculture.

Finally, we asked FRAM about his recommended places in Kesennuma.

"The place I recommend is Iwaizaki. It's also where my mother was born."

▲Iwaizaki is a popular tourist spot and a play spot for children.

"I have fond memories of playing at Iwaizaki when I was a child. I spent a lot of time actively playing with my older brother and cousins. There are also attractions like the Spouting Rock and the iconic Dragon Pine, which was built after the earthquake, and you can even experience making salt, so I think it's a great place for tourists to visit. I definitely recommend going!"

In June, they will be returning to their hometown to perform at the music event "NUMA ROCK FESTIVAL 6," which will be held at the Hirakeru event hall in the Kesennuma Uchiwan area.
We hope you will all come and feel FRAM's "positive and happy" power through their live performance.

*Please refrain from reproducing any photos or text without permission.

Click here for previous articles in the "That Person and Kesennuma" series.