Abstract
Natural and non-natural resources in a mountain region have been conserved and utilized by a village community and farmers lived there. Especially, the natural resources have been watched over through agricultural production aimed for profit. Since the population decrease rapidly in the area, the ratio of the senior citizen in the population increases and the profitability of farm management decreases, it becomes more and more difficult for the village community and the farmers to play important roles for conserving and utilizing the resources.
Under the severe environment, policy guidelines for revitalizing conservation and utilization of natural and non-natural resources are as follows. In the case of natural resources, (1) agricultural product price policies don't work well, (2) subsidy policies aimed for just resource conservation without agricultural production should be adopted when a resource utilizing level is beyond a certain standard, and (3) public investments for reducing agricultural production costs will play important roles. In the case of non-natural resources like historic sites, scenic spots and traditional cultural events originated in a region, a local government should play important roles for conserving the resources. Otherwise, the conservation will not be achieved because of the so-called “Market Failure”.
