Examining approaches to consensus building in the management and operation of national parks from the case of Oze

Abstract

In Japan's national parks, there is a common challenge: the difficulty of forming consensus among the many stakeholders (owners, operators, related authorities, local regions, etc.), especially since legally binding park management is not enforceable. This research aimed to compare the successful management and operation of the Oze National Park, which conserves its natural environment, with other national parks to uncover how to overcome the challenge of stakeholder consensus. Oze National Park spans four prefectures: Fukushima, Tochigi, Gunma, and Niigata. It features the largest alpine marshland in Honshu, Oze-gahara (about 760 hectares), among other various wetland areas, making it the 19th largest out of Japan's 34 national parks.The results revealed that, in Oze National Park, private companies have significantly contributed to the conservation efforts, such as the restoration of vegetation and the installation of wooden paths for marshland protection, promoting both natural conservation and tourism. On the other hand, each national park has its unique regional characteristics and history. These differences lead to various challenges and motivations for stakeholders to be actively involved. Therefore, it is believed that each national park requires a management and operation system tailored to its unique characteristics.