What are the Intentions of Mountain Village Settlers Regarding Daily Life and Agriculture? : A Case Study on the Community of Yasaka-cho in Hamada City, Shimane Prefecture

Abstract

This paper examined how the preferences of new settlers in rural communities can create new development possibilities by prompting a reexamination of agricultural practices in the rural communities. The case study showed that new settlers to mountain villages, who tend to value the richness found within small-scale, diversified, and self-sufficient agriculture and forestry, fulfill their basic needs through homegrown production. They also tend to engage in side jobs that are at ease with such kind of agriculture and forestry. Based on these findings, this paper argues that initiatives to "translate" the preferences and needs of settlers related to life in mountain villages as well as agriculture and forestry, and to connect such settlers with local-born residents, would be useful to promote the entry of settlers into self-employment agriculture and forestry in mountain village.