I traveled abroad to Tokyo, Japan to the Global Diversity and Sustainability Camp at Tokyo Metropolitan University (TMU) to study the revival of Satoyama. In the program, we were grouped with other students from Japan, South Korea, United Kingdom, and Malaysia to complete a field study at Jike Furusato Village and present our findings.
Final Project Outcome
Satoyama landscapes surround farming villages, traditionally in Japan, including forests, wet rice paddies, fields, pastures, streams, ponds and irrigation ditches. All necessary to supply the needs of a community. It is not only a landscape but a way of living creating harmony between humans and nature. Human interaction in satoyama landscapes is beneficial to preserve these rural areas which are facing challenges due to depopulation, youth migration to cities, aging rural populations, and rapid urbanization. Through case studies we aim to answer two questions; how to revitalize Satoyama and how Satoyama attracts newcomers? Our goal is to demonstrate that newcomers play a vital role in contributing to the revival of Satoyama landscapes. A case study on Jike Furusato village was done through field analysis of Satoyama ecosystems and holding an interview with a long-term foreign resident with a thriving business in the region. Satoyama landscapes contribute to the four main types of ecosystem services, provision, regulating, cultural, and supporting. Linking these services between village residents and newcomers fosters Satoyama revival. Newcomers contribute to Satoyama revival whether they are moving there for the first time or moving back to these areas because they help maintain the healthy interaction between humans and nature. Policies to attract newcomers have supported the revival and promote networking between locals and newcomers. Satoyama revival should be a priority in the 21st century due to the sustainable lifestyle followed in these landscapes including growing their own produce and preserving nature. The solution to our research question is to promote policies to attract newcomers who can contribute to the revival of Satoyama.
What I did
Through participating in the program, I was able to assist in the field study and gathering information about the sustainable lifestyle of Satoyama. I participated in asking questions to the local resident we interviewed, taking photos, and sharing my findings. We gathering our findings and discussed about what opportunities there were to draw more newcomers and tourism into these areas. From further research and understanding of Satoyama in our home countries, we were able to piece together our ideas. We eventually presenting our findings and I was able to talk about the concept of drawing people in from cities and what draws people to Urban areas over Rural areas.
What I learned
This project has taught me a lot about how societies maintain population and where people tend to leave to. Understanding how to make a community attractive enough for people to choose to settle in these areas is crucial to maintaining a population. A lot of the recent generations are more likely to move to urban areas, because cities tend to be more modern and more appealing. Understanding how living in the rural areas can support all of your needs can help people realize that living in these areas is sustainable.
What’s next for me
This research project really shaped my future, it has drawn me into the idea of encouraging tourisms and building a society that fulfills a persons lifestyle. I decided to lean more into learning about urban planning and genuinely how to revive s community. Looking within the community I live in and where I attend college has really increased my interest in these topics. Currently thinking and discussing about how to keep college students in town after they graduate.
