Abstract
Nitrogen issue refers to the trade-off between nitrogen use in fertilizers and other materials and the resulting nitrogen pollution. Although stakeholder awareness is essential for addressing this issue, it remains limited, especially in Japan. This study aimed to explore strategies for increasing awareness of the nitrogen issue through discussions between experts and non-specialists using systems thinking. Systems thinking is an approach that views the complex interactions among the elements of an issue as a dynamic system. Given that visualization enhances the understanding of complex issues, this study used causal loop diagrams, which illustrate the causal relationships and feedback mechanisms within the system. The nitrogen issue was divided into 10 subsystems, each represented through a casual loop diagram. The study then focused on the “food industry and dietary habits” subsystem and identified four key strategies for increasing awareness of the nitrogen issue: (1) developing targeted content to engage diverse stakeholders, (2) collaborating with existing initiatives, such as food loss reduction and decarbonization, (3) partnering with local governments from the rule-making stage, and (4) utilizing visualization tools, such as the nitrogen footprint, to illustrate relevant activities. Furthermore, the study encouraged participants to personalize the nitrogen issue, thereby promoting mutual understanding. Systems thinking was advantageous for facilitating transdisciplinary discussions on cocreating solutions among diverse stakeholders
