Conservation and Utilization Agreement, prescribed in the Act on Special Measures for the Promotion and Development of Okinawa, is a rule that is autonomously formulated by local tourism businesses and is further enacted after the approval of the governor of Okinawa Prefecture. So far, eight Conservation and Utilization Agreements have been approved. On comparing its operational status with similar systems, this system of rulemaking has proven to be extremely useful. This study attempts to examine the effectiveness as well as shortcomings of this system by analyzing the actual configurations and practical implementations of these eight agreements, based on the information obtained from interviews and other forms of survey. The results confirm that the system is effective in 1) limiting volume of use; 2) general applicability to different areas; 3) monitoring effectiveness among stakeholders; and so on. Meanwhile, the results also highlight issues related to 1) the limits of legal binding and effectiveness; 2) preparatory measures concerning overuse and improper use; 3) reducing the burden on businesses by coordinating with local stakeholders; and so on. Even though this study recognizes the existence of certain shortcomings, it highlights the effectiveness of this system. Furthermore, this study proposes the application of a similar legal system to other parts of Japan, despite it being specifically designed for Okinawa Prefecture.
