Based on the police records regarding mountain incidents, this study observed the differences in incident characteristics depending on the visitors’ behavior and compared incidents related to collecting behavior (picking wild vegetables, river fishing), skiing behavior, and general mountaineering. The results revealed that incident characteristics related to collecting and skiing were different from those related to general mountaineering, and it is thus necessary to deal with them individually. From the comparative study among mountains of different spatial scales which were compounded by inter mountain range, intra mountain range, and individual mountains, mutual commonalities and differences in incident characteristics across spatial scales were confirmed. These commonalities and differences presented us with suggestions to reduce the frequency of such incidents and devise efficient countermeasures against them.

In Japan in recent years, the popularity of visiting the beach has been declining, and the population, in a trend that is expected to continue, has declined about 20% from what it was at its peak. The decrease in the popularity of beaches can be regarded as a problem caused by various environmental factors affecting nature, society, and the economy, and it may also related to a newspaper article with a title that translates from Japanese as " lack of interest in the sea ". Therefore, in this study, we examined the various factors mentioned in the article as the reasons for the decrease in the number of visitors to the beach and targeted each comment written by readers of the article.

We hypothesized that college students with techno-internet addiction disorder tendency tend to decrease psychological resilience. Conversely, students who exhibit higher levels of empathetic internet usage frequency tending to encourage each other have a higher psychological resilience. Longitudinal data collected by questionnaire surveys of university students majoring in the information sciences were analyzed by structural equation modeling, and the results appeared to support our hypothesis. In order to improve this psychological resilience in the current information society, it is effective to reduce techno-internet addiction disorder tendency and have the empathetic internet usage tending to encourage each other moderately so that it does not become excessive.

Many researches have investigated the synergies among the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), but the synergies between the SDGs and other institutions have not been sufficiently investigated. This study focuses on the Fairtrade, one of the international certification programs, and explores how the Fairtrade can synergize on the SDG targets. The results show that the Fairtrade has standards for contributing to 72 SDG targets, of which 41 contribute in a broad, direct and integrated manner to the targets.

This study focused the basic plans and consultations for those decisions under the Renewable Energy in Rural Village Act. Analyzing the consensus building process in the specific case focusing on the points of community benefits and environmental aspects, following findings are obtained; concrete measures for community benefits are shown in the plans rather than that of environmental aspects. By methods of the qualitative analysis on minutes and the quantitative analysis of text mining tool, it was clarified that the consensus building process turned out to be shared promotive projects from those merits in the beginning phase. And then, measures of environmental issues were deeply discussed in the middle phase, and in the final one, it was confirmed both of issues to be decided and to be examined forward.

The purpose of this study was to clarify the interrelationship between the three variables of user density, user’ congestion and satisfaction at two beaches with different geographical features in Shikinejima, Niijima, Tokyo. This study was conducted through observational and questionnaire surveys. The results of the study did not show a clear correlation between the three variables, but suggested that differences in geographical features and evaluations of experiences may reduce congestion.

The urban residents are looking for rural tourist areas where people can interact with the natural and agriculture, with China’s rapid economic development. Urban agriculture park is an essential rural tourist area, which is expected to provide chances for children to join in food and agriculture experience. In this study, we conducted a survey of park manager and primary students who take part in the food and agriculture program in urban agriculture park to investigate the situation of the food and agriculture experience. As a result, the problem of shortage of the food and agriculture experience is alleviated in urban agriculture park.

In this study, we conducted a questionnaire survey on visitors to Aso-Kuju National Park and ascertained the approval and disapproval of the fund for nature conservation and the collection method. Furthermore, a cross-tabulation analysis was conducted targeting of fund supporters, and it became clear that many collection methods were acceptable. In particular, those who want to improve the environment will be allowed to collect at major bases, while those who want to manage the fund's secretariat costs and personnel costs should collect the way of collecting possibly from everyone and adding to the parking fee.

The study focuses on Kamaishi city, was affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake with no disaster remains. The purpose is to discuss the role and possibilities of storyteller as a method of handing down the disaster. As a result, the participation in the storyteller's guided tour was thought to strengthen the awareness of disaster prevention and the sense of presence and power of the disaster area. In addition, even without the disaster remains, the participation in the storyteller's guided tour may increase the awareness of disaster-related issues, similarly to the case where the disaster remains were used.

The purpose of this study is to analyze the situation and response of damage and evacuation caused by Typhoon 19 Hagibis in relation to the location information and the process leading to life recovery. In this survey, evacuation methods were confirmed in advance by reviewing the flood hazard map. However, it was shown that the high awareness of zero risk among the residents and the distance to the evacuation shelter became barriers. In addition, it was clarified that many households damaged by inundation on the floor spend a lot of money on rebuilding their lives.

This study aimed to clarify the factors affecting initiative of local residents for the management activities for conservation and restoration of lagoon. The relationship between Lake Biwa and the lagoons and the trust in the water environment conservation policy were investigated by questionnaire surveys to local residents near two lagoons. 561 responses were obtained and analyzed by structural equation modeling. As a result, (i) value and trust in conservation policies of Lake Biwa were affected those of the lagoons; (ii) the residents who trust in the water environment policy had high motivation for lagoon conservation; and (iii) value of Lake Biwa and the lagoons had most impact on their initiative of conservation activities.

A mixed-method study was used to explore community resilience in post volcanic eruptions recovery in Indonesia. This community was displaced; their settlement was destroyed; yet they rebuilt it. Findings of the survey method indicated that this community had a high level of resilience with the overall mean of IPCR was 4.06. Similarly, the qualitative interview method revealed that this community had a robust community competence, although they had a weak political partnership. They perceived that their resilience was higher than before the eruptions. It was likely that the severe impacts of the eruptions and their collective decision to rebuild their neighborhood had reinforced their resilience.

We analyzed transition of influence on satisfaction with living environment and social capital of occupants upon satisfaction with whole of Seinan area between urban development project were progressing. As a result, we found whole of Seinan area was influenced by social capital, the influence is weaker than satisfaction of living environment. But the influence by social capital were showed significance in the second survey. Additionally, satisfaction with the living environment and social capital change over time. These results have suggested to necessity consider transition in social capital as time goes by when formulating urban planning measures.

A questionnaire survey was conducted with local residents in response to a fire accident at a chemical factory in the special accident prevention areas. The purpose is to clarify the evacuation actions in the event of the accident, future evacuation intentions and the relationship between those and the response required of local government. As a result, approximately half of the respondents were evacuated according to the instructions at the accident, however those who did not evacuate tended to obtain information from the media and contacted local governments. Furthermore, it was indicated that information might be required to be provided to residents even at uncertain stages at the time of accident.

Questionnaire survey regarding the protection of crested white ibis was conducted in 2019 for the residents of Sado. The answers about evaluation about re-introduction project were divided into positive group and negative group. And qualitative data was analyzed as following measures, such as an analysis of hierarchical clustering, categorization of text data of negative group, and comparison of co-occurrence keywords of free description. As a result, some differences appeared in the recognition of the positive group and the negative group were identified. It was also showed that the variations of cognition appeared among two recognition domains.

One of the causes of the decrease in Tsushima leopard cats is an infectious disease caused by stray cats, and Tsushima City is promoting efforts to properly keep cats. This study conducted a questionnaire survey in Tsushima city, and examined the problems in understanding the current consciousness about proper keeping of cats. The awareness of the “cat proper keeping ordinance” may not be high, so it is necessary to devise public relations in the future. Next, there were many opinions that supported the current sterilization project as a measure for future stray cats. However, as a reason why countermeasures are necessary, many are chosen to "protect the living environment" and "because the number of stray cats does not increase too much", and it is necessary to emphasize the original purpose of "protecting Tsushima leopard cats from infectious diseases".

In this research, we estimated a redundant capacity of general waste treatment facilities in Kinki, Chubu, Chugoku and Shikoku region to treat the waste plastics subject to import restriction in Asian countries (“restricted waste plastics”). A calorie-based calculation under assumption of the maximum load capacity of exhaust gas treatment facility was conducted in this estimation. From the analysis, we obtained the following conclusions; 1) The amount of restricted waste plastics generated in the study area was 916,300 tons per year, 2) In case that the restricted waste plastics were accepted at the facilities where the power generation efficiency were more than 21%, only 10,100 tons per year of restricted waste plastics could be treated in domestic facility, 3) The general waste treatment facilities in the study area had potential to treat 893,300 tons per year of restricted waste plastics if the criteria of power generation efficiency was more than 12%.

With the goal of improving the income of local residents of agricultural mountain villages in Laos, an investigation was performed on land suitable for bed log cultivation of mushrooms in order to introduce such cultivation to agricultural villages there. In Japan, bed log cultivation of mushrooms is generally conducted within forest areas, but the results of the local study indicated that in those regions, edible mushrooms were not gathered from within forest areas, but rather from fallow lands remaining after slash-and-burn, which become dry easily and whose upper layers are not covered by trees. The edible mushrooms gathered in those areas were saprobes with a resistance to desiccation. Also, in fallow land there are large numbers of tree stumps and fallen trees which are a growing environment for saprobes, and the vapor pressure deficit is low throughout the year, making it an environment in which these tree stumps and fallen trees do not dry out easily. The results of this research study suggest that for bed log cultivation of mushrooms in Laos, it is possible to utilize fallow land whose upper layers are not covered by trees as they are in Japan.

This study was conducted in the public plaza in front of Tokyo Dome in Tokyo Dome City. The purpose of the study was to explore individuals’ seat preferences on long linear benches in the public plaza. Onsite observations and mapping were conducted for five days. The results are as follows. 1） Benches close to access routes tend to have more individuals than benches in other areas. 2） When individuals have the chance to decide where to sit on a bench, they usually prefer to sit on the edge areas. 3） Couples and individuals in groups tend to sit in the center of a bench. 4）Individuals tend to avoid sitting in front of billboards on benches.

This study focuses on a current situation and a transition of the maintenance method for producing bamboo forests from the viewpoint of boundary formation. There is a history that the production of bamboo as food and materials has been still carried out to grow high-quality so that a cultivation method is called "Kyoto-style softening cultivation". However， the forest area has been decreased. Analysis of geographical distribution changes over the area reveals that the ratio of the length of the outer periphery to the area has increased. It represents the bamboo forest has been subdivided. The spatial analysis in each field reveals that there are two factors to form different boundary structures- 1) urbanization and other factors 2) the unique production method-

This study analyzed the arrangement situation of community parks and the distribution of underused lands from the spatial side for Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture, which is a suburban city of the metropolitan area, and examined the possibility of utilizing underused lands as a public open space which is managed and operated based on the fixed rule and can be accessed and utilized by local residents.The results are as follows. (1) There was regional difference in the arrangement of community parks.(2) Though farmland was the most abounding for the low unused land which could be utilized as a public open space, there were many underused lands and forests in the urban area edge.(3) The low underused lands with the area of 1,000 m2 is scarce. Therefore, it is necessary to examine the possibility of utilization including the cooperative use with small community parks.

Problems associated with population decline, such as lack of human resources, are currently causing serious issues in rural Japan. On the other hand, an increasing number of people living in urban areas are interested in living in the countryside, which is referred to as “Return to Rural Living,” and some migrate and start a business in these areas. Based on location patterns, this study determines what kind of spatial conditions are important when starting a business. The results reveal that entrepreneurship has been occurring even in places that are generally considered unfavorable to starting a business.

A survey on 471 cities that implement garbage fee for household waste in Japan was conducted. Based on the results of 250 cities, their implementation from garbage fee for household waste to present was investigated and the effects of implementation and policy changes on household waste and recycling rate were analyzed. Most of the cities have adopted the simple pay-as-you-go system and the specified disposal bag system. It was suggested that it is necessary to raise the residents' consciousness and fairness of cost burden to promote the reduction of waste in each city. It was suggested that implement garbage fee can reduce household waste and improve the recycling rate. It was suggested that changing the price per bag of garbage can reduce household waste as the fee increases.

We examined the conditions for providing spawning habitat for masu salmon in the stream area, taking into account the physical load of the workers, and found the following. 1) the daily activity time is 6 hours, of which 3 hours are needed for development; 2) the required amount of suitable material is about 330 kg, assuming the size of the spawning ground is 2m²; 3) the number of creating the spawning ground per day is 4 sites per river, based on the past results of the use of masu salmon; 4) The following three environmental conditions are important for artificial creation. ①“Collection” is carried out in the land area adjacent to the river channel, where the suitable materials are densely deposited at least 330kg.②“Leveling” is carried out at a location where there is little digging work on the riverbed and the water depth is about 30 cm after the appropriate materials are fed into the river.③“Transport” should be carried out in a location where the route from the collection site to the development site is as landward as possible. The above conditions are important for sustainable environmental rehabilitation activities in the stream area.

Situation analysis of ecological environment in Yatsu tidal flat (Funadamari and Sankaku Higata) was conducted using shorebirds, umbrella species, as index. By Environmental Condition Index for Ecosystem (ECIeco), ecological environment was getting worth at all sites because of red tide and blue tide occurrence in summer, but ecosystem condition recovered from autumn to winter at Sankaku Higata. Shorebirds were suggested having relationship with ECIeco which including factor of attached diatom and benthos as water and sediment quality indicator. Furthermore, Calidris alpina was shown having relationship with ground height. From the above, the flying number of shorebirds as umbrella species in Yatsu tidal flat were considered to be influenced by lower ecosystem level damage caused by such as red tide and blue tide.

Site index is important in artificial forest management because it indicates how good the growth of a given forest is. However, it is not practical to obtain site indexes in large areas containing many stands because laborious field measurements are required to obtain dominant height from which site index is calculated. To avoid this problem, we developed a method to estimate dominant height of Todo fir plantations from airborne LiDAR data. Because this method does not include the single tree extraction process, which requires high-density LiDAR data, it is applicable even to low-density LiDAR data. With the proposed method and existing airborne LiDAR data, it is possible to estimate dominant heights of Todo fir plantations and site indexes if stand ages are also available.

We studied the process of distribution expansion of two unpalatable understory plant species, Chloranthus japonicus and C. serratus, in a forest under strong browsing pressure of sika deer (Cervus nippon) and found that 1) deer browsing pressure decreased the abundance of palatable plants, 2) the study plants, released from the interspecific competition from palatable plants, expanded their spatial distribution, and 3) soil water content also influenced the abundance of the study plants.

We have researched the landscape elements that constitute the scenic views of the Naruto Strait. The landscape composition has been categorized into 11 types, including excellent viewpoints characterized by multiple layers of foreground, middle ground, and background views. Seven visually disturbing elements have been identified, such as a bridge, modern buildings, and roads visually interfering with the natural landscape elements. The bridge's visual presence impacts the view of the Place of Scenic Beauty on the strait, as well as the buildings and roads on the opposite hillside in areas of high visibility. Viewshed analysis has indicated the importance of the mountainous area outside the national park.

The weasel was introduced to Kuchinoshima Island, one of Japan’s Tokara Islands, in the past, for rat control. Recently, the distribution of the Japanese marten, instead of the weasel, was confirmed. Camera trapping (53 cameras, total 3,792 days) and fecal DNA species identification (n=52) were performed, identifying only the marten. The weasel was estimated to be none or at very low population density. The density of the marten feces, 14 feces/km, was higher than that in other areas, suggesting that the population density of the marten was also relatively high. Frequency of occurrences of lizards, earthworms, and land mollusks in the feces (n=1,144) was higher than those in other areas. If the populations of these prey animals were small, they would become threatened by the marten. Subsequent monitoring of the island’s indigenous fauna is considered urgent.

The overgrowth of kudzu (Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi) on road slopes has been a persistent issue. It is important to increase people's attitude to the growth of kudzu in order to realize sustainable and low-cost maintenance of road slope in consideration of environmental conservation. The aim of this study is to reveal people's attitude towards the overgrowing of kudzu and the individual's background associated with this attitude. An online survey of people living in the Tokyo metropolitan area (n=1,000) was conducted to assess their views on slope revegetation of highways in the Ibaraki Prefecture. A large number of respondents did not allow kudzu that goes over the fence at the toe of the slope. Even if kudzu did not go over the fence, over 40% of respondents did not allow kudzu.

Masked palm civet (Paguma larvata) is expanding its distribution throughout the country, and the wildlife damage in agricultural products and houses is also increasing. This study clarifies the method and problem for visualizing the distribution information of masked palm civet on a subregional (town street, etc.) scale smaller than the municipality, based on the capture permission by the municipality and the information from the extermination company. In Utsunomiya City, 326 cases of information from capture permission and extermination companies were recognized in 6 years from 2013 to 2018. For 254 cases (77.9%), the distribution information had location information that could be visualized on a subregion scale. Using the number of subregions as an index, the distribution information of masked palm civet has been increasing consistently since 2014, and the distribution information was recognized in 16.0% of the total number of subregions in the entire city.

Although the single species test is widely used currently as an environmental impact risk assessment method, this method is pointed out that the results may differ from those in natural ecosystem because of its species composition. In this study, using experimental microcosm system, silver nanoparticle and silver ion were assessed their environmental impact risk on ecosystem level. As results, the microcosm test, multi species test, can evaluate the impact risk of silver nanoparticle and silver ion as on the same level as the highly sensitive single species test. Furthermore, it can analyze the influence close to natural ecosystem level.

We observed flowering situation of Cerasus jamasakura and examined the relationship between flowering situation and environmental factors. As a result, in the top five fitted models for the prediction of the flowering, height or crown area of the object tree, sum of the ratio of diameter of C. jamasakura to its competitors within the radius 3 - 6 m, soil available phosphorus and slope azimuth in the habitats were selected as explanatory variables. This suggests that in order to promote the flowering of C. jamasakura, it is effective to control the density of competitors within the radius of 3 - 6 m.

This research aims to examine the spatial composition and features of parks during the Manchukuo period. 12 parks are analyzed by cluster analysis method based on the three basic attributes of terrain, surrounding land, scale, and the four spatial elements of buildings, facilities, water forms, garden paths. Based on analysis results, the parks are classified into three groups. In Group A, the area of parks is mainly 25-60ha. The general shape of these parks is narrow and long, and the arrangement of garden paths is appropriate to the water forms. The area of parks in Group B is 0-25ha, and the building types are richer. The artificially constructed water forms are combined with loop paths. The area of parks in Group C is >60ha (except 1 park). The parks are far from the city center, and the location of all buildings, facilities, garden paths in the parks is affected by mountain topography.

Notsuke Bay is home to eelgrass (Zostera marina) and is a fishing ground for the lobster (Pandalus latirostris). The effect of land use on the river basin of the inflowing river of the eelgrass beds on Notsuke Bay and the southern side of the bay was examined, and the effect of river water quality on the eelgrass was examined. NO₃-N, K, and Ca in river water increased when the river basin forest rate decreased and the basin nitrogen input increased. When NO₃-N, K, and Ca in river water increased, the growth mass of eelgrass decreased. The decrease in eelgrass growth mass may be due to an increase in unknown growth-inhibitory substances, which increase with increasing NO₃-N.

We estimated the potential habitats of Phyllostachys bamboo species under current and future climate conditions and assessed increasing risks of bamboo expansion for the future. The potential habitats expanded in northern Japan due to climate change. In western Japan, predicted values of being suitable habitats increased, except for warm areas such as southern Kyushu. Expansion risks of abandoned bamboo stands would increase along with climate change in a wide range of Japan. Appropriate management of existing bamboo forests and controls of new bamboo plantation are both important for climate change adaptation.

In recent years, decrease in the flow capacity of rivers has proceeded due to increased rainfall and forestation. For the environment, maintenance and control must coexist with nature. For this, it is crucial that we know our history of river control and learn from the wisdom of our ancestors. In the upstream region of the Kiso River, nationally-mandated locally-financed river works projects were frequently conducted in early modern times. Even now many of these facilities remain. This study analyzed the characteristics of river channels as well as the design concepts of river works based on the diagrams of these flood control projects. This study shows that the river works mainly employed stone spur dikes on river gravel beds and prevented scouring using sinking frames.

In order to promote city planning with adaptation for thermal environment by utilizing regional characteristic, the surveys were conducted in shopping street with arcade. From the results of measurements, the effects of mitigating thermal environment by arcade is confirmed. In addition, it was able to verify the effects of heat stress reduction during walking under arcade. In the future, as the temperature rises and the aging progresses, to maintain the arcade mall as a space where elderly people can walk and shop with peace of mind, a new added value as the adaptation to climate change such as thermal countermeasures, was examined.

The largest radiation fog of the western Japan is formed in the Miyoshi basin in Hiroshima Prefecture. In this study, the vertical observations of radiation fog were performed by use of a drone at three sites on the riverside of Gonokawa River and the slope of Mt. Takatani. The thicknesses of fog layer, which was taken by a drone video, differed from day to day. It is suggested that differences in a start time of radiation cooling on the ground and specific humidity between evening and early morning were attributed to it. Also, the commonality which an inversion layer of temperature was formed at the height of 100 to 150m in the evening or night of the previous day was confirmed on a thick fog day. This study clarified that a drone was effective tool for acquiring atmospheric information in vertical.

This paper examines the current condition and obstacles to administrative infrastructure development and systemic arrangements that promote climate change policy in small and medium-sized municipalities. We conducted administrative materials analysis and semi-structured interview with municipal environmental policy division in Koriyama Collaborative Core Urban Area. The study’s findings indicate the following. (1) 4 out of 16 municipalities have formulated the Action Plan for Global Warming Prevention (Regional Measures), and a small number of municipalities have conducted to develop administrative infrastructure related to regional countermeasures. (2) The effectiveness of infrastructure and promotion systems for climate change mitigation policy can be compromised by factors such as natural disasters. (3) The degree of cooperation between local governments and community organizations promoting climate change policy varies depending on the size of the local government and measurement criteria.

In this research, we focused on the lakeside village around Lake Biwa and grasped the distribution of the location and the actual situation of the usage of waterway. And grasped the usage and the management method of the spring water in Samegai village. As a result, organized the waterway and the water intake method about 61 villages and grasped that the role of the waterway changed by the maintenance of waterworks. In addition, we captured the usage and the maintenance method of unique waterway according to the formation process of the village and the washing space at the Samegai village.

In Japan, a final disposal law was enacted in 2000 to frame the geological disposal of highlevel radioactive waste (HLW). However, social interest in HLW is limited and it is necessary to build a social discussion on this issue. This paper conducted three different types of public meetings among citizens and experts to analyze citizens’ policy preference change and its influence factors. Their changes measured with the questionnaire which was based on four social acceptance factors (technical, institutional, market, community). As a result, characteristics of the policy preferences of Citizens were: consist policy preferences, change from disagree to agree, and fluctuate policy preferences. In addition, a high correlation was shown with technical factors and institutional factors in their policy preference determinant. Also, certain citizens evaluation regularity between the intra-meetings and the inter-meetings were observed.

Energy conservation standards for detached houses in Japan are evaluated only based on skin performance and primary energy consumption at the time of design. So the effects of construction technology and the accuracy of adiabatic work have not yet been clarified. In this study, we quantitatively evaluate the effects of construction technology and accuracy of adiabatic construction by evaluating actual measurements of temperature and humidity and HEMS data from a model house and analyzing the heat balance simulation of a standard house model. The results show that the current standard and top-runner homes are heavily influenced by the construction technique and accuracy of adiabatic construction with more than 60% of the heat loss occurring during the defrost season.

The introduction of renewable energy is being promoted in Japan, but the issue of introducing renewable energy has been pointed out as the issue of harmony with the region and facilitation of local coordination. This study aims to clarify factors enabling harmony of renewable energy and local community focus on the Act on the Promotion of Renewable Energy Electric Power Generation Harmonized with Sound Develop. The results suggest that it was clarified actual status of the harmony such as contents of creation of benefits for local areas. Renewable energy projects with the law applied could be divided into 2 type, “Development of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries” and “Problem Solving in Local Communities”.

This paper aims to analyze the factors to enhance the community acceptance by the proponent in case of the woody biomass power plant in Monbetsu City, Hokkaido. It was clarified that the operator conducted public consultations, voluntary environmental impact assessment in addition to mitigation measures. Most residents are satisfied with the measures except for the landscape issue, while most of them emphasize to set back the appropriate distance from the plant, ensuring procedural justice and information disclosure. The result of Spearman’s rank shows that the satisfaction level with landscape and water quality have strong correlation with the community acceptance.

Geothermal energy has many advantages and is promising renewable energy. However, the length of lead time is a high development risk among developers in Japan. This paper compares the geothermal development process and its timeframe among Japan, Iceland, and New Zealand. It is shown that a timeframe before environmental impact assessment (EIA) and a timeframe for EIA is shorter in Iceland and New Zealand. Developers in these two countries are supposed to coordinate their projects with fewer numbers of public entities compared to Japan. Also, public entities make various efforts before the project phase. It is strongly suggested that these factors shorten the length of lead time.

Communication of wind power projects is expected to be beneficial at the environmental impact assessment stage. In recent years, it has been recognized that prior communication taking into consideration regional characteristics is also performed at the zoning stage process. We conducted a survey with local districts in order to examine prior communication, focusing on cases where coordination was difficult. As a result, when there are existing users in the location area, we found that it is effective to start the prior communication process with stakeholders during the zoning stage. In addition, site visit also proved beneficial in fostering a trusting relationship with stakeholders. Lastly, it is required to change the developer’s mindset that prior communications with local stakeholders is not beneficial.

In this study, we conducted a questionnaire survey of 103 municipalities with geothermal energy potential to find out the current status and intentions of geothermal development and the perceptions of benefits/risks of geothermal plants in the future. The purpose of this study was to identify development intentions and related factors. As a result, about 20% of the respondent municipalities showed a positive intention to develop geothermal energy. It was related to specific policies. In addition, the results of the analysis of the relationship between local government intentions and items related to benefits and risks show that "local independence”. This fact suggested that geothermal development with regional initiative would lead to the positive intentions of local governments.

Local people's participation is necessary for dealing with social problems caused by nuclear power plants' decommissioning process. In the United Kingdom, local consultation with residents has been promoted the participation of local people in the decision-making process of the decommissioning policy. This study took Dounreay Stakeholder Group as a representative example of public participation by focusing on local consultation carried out in Dounreay concerning the decommissioning plan for nuclear power plants and reviewed the factors affecting the policy option selection. The results of the analysis indicate that the market factor affects the policy selection concerning nuclear decommissioning, while it is closely related to the institutional factor's influences.

In this report, I took notice of food services at the zoo, i.e., parks and green spaces that play a part in promoting use as a place for recreation or environmental education, identified their actual conditions and challenges, and attempted to propose a future role to be performed. As a result, it was revealed that increased consumption of local food ingredients in part contributed to boosting visitors and that more than half of the zoo recognized that improving menus could promote their use while they don’t have enough manpower to offer better services. It was also found that though the number of users of restaurants is small, improving menus would influence people’s motive to visit the zoo significantly. Based on these, I proposed how future food services should be at the zoo.