The aim of this paper is seeking knowledge to encourage residents to join in local food waste reduction activities. If participation in those activities is regarded as one of environment-conscious behaviors, several models and concepts that have been made in previous studies in this field are considered useful. Therefore, in this paper, we reviewed the development process of those models and factor items. Consequently, the development of determining models has led to the difficulty that the promotion method derived from models are not generic and take time to mature, we found. We therefore analyzed the data collected during a local demonstration activity to confirm the existence of the resident who places importance on immature pleasure. From these 2-step considerations, we raise another framework of calling to promote participation in the local food waste reduction activities.

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This research is to focus upon the Fintech-based local currency to strengthen local attachment of residents to their community and the ties between them, which have emerged in recent years in the context of regional revitalization, and to visualize the pathways with validation to effect enhancement of subjective well-being of users whom most are local residents.The results of the study, using a relationship-oriented local currency platform as the empirical field, suggest that the use of such a fintech-based local currency may be associated with local residents' attachment to their community and affect their subjective well-being through altruistic motivations and connections.

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In the innovation process linked to the promotion of local communities, it is necessary to clarify how its mechanism should be formed and what factors will sustain it. This study examines the difference in the mechanism of the main constituents that play a central role in case studies, focusing on the actual main constituents of implementation and the issues that can be derived from it for the sake of sustainability, based on the concept of living labs, which started in Europe and is spreading worldwide. The study conducts a comparative analysis of the “local government-led” and “university-led” types as target cases. Subsequently, it discusses the creation of a system for the independent participation and cooperation of stakeholders, including local community residents, and measures to ensure sustainability.

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In contrast to the “Existence Probability” defined by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, which indicates the possibility of existence of convenient-living facilities by population size, this study attempts to extend the model in terms of the number of facilities. In other words, this study attempts to clarify the “standard number of service establishments that can exist in a certain service industry under a certain population size. For the analysis, data on the number of population and the number of establishments in the industry were used, and a polynomial regression model was used to approximate the model. As a result, the barber shop and daycare center can operate multiple stores even with a population of 1,000, while a hamburger store requires a population of about 30,000. The results also showed the uneven distribution of facilities, using dental clinics and yakiniku (grilled meat) restaurants as examples. The results of this study can be used as a simple guide to determine the appropriate number of facilities for new store locations and facility reorganization at the time of forming a cooperative metropolitan area.

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The purpose of this study is to clarifying the value of local learning, and living with confidence and pride in the community.

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The value of co-creation spaces that promote telework and create opportunities for interaction with diverse populations is increasing under the influence of Covid-19. The same is true for the related population in the region, but there is little accumulation of knowledge about places for co-creation utilizing the online environment. Therefore, in this study, the potential of online co-creation spaces was examined using action research, interviews with theme owners, and text mining, with Cue Dream Project as the subject matter. Centered on the individual thoughts of multiple theme owners, information is transmitted and deployed from a specific site as a large number of people gather. It was confirmed that the creation of events in cooperation with local actors through the use of co-creation spaces utilizing the online environment can transcend barriers of time and place, creating opportunities for exchange and collaboration.

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To clarify what kind of support and to what extent the government should be involved in community development by inhabitants to continue their activities. In this study, I conducted a questionnaire of members of organizations that have continued their activities and those whose activities have stagnated and used statistical methods to analyze differences. The results showed that desirable involvement was “understanding local needs,” “using the information on advanced cases,” and “cooperation in PR,” while undesirable involvement was “working within events and on-site work,” “on-site instructions,” “intervention in decision,” and “designation of local resources. ” Regarding the degree of involvement, it is important to support action by inhabitants from the standpoint of outside supporters.

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Abuyone corporation, which operates a gas station in Ise City, is facing a big decision. The Oseko GS, which is embarking on a new business, and the Zinkyu GS, which continues to operate a gas station, operate differently. Under these circumstances, in order to promote management reform, it is necessary to establish a policy as a company and appropriately control the site. We summarize and report on Aby-style 3K operation, which is unique to Abuyone, centered on KPI management.　

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Business creation is difficult in mountainous and rural areas. The process of creating a business in such a region requires building relationships between each player at each stage of the business's inception, development, and expansion, and requires local residents who do not have a business mindset to acquire knowledge and change their mindset. becomes. In this study, we focused on the SECI model and ecological changes, and conducted case analysis based on practical activities in the Gomyo district of Higashikagawa City, Kagawa Prefecture.

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This paper proposes a novel approach to regional revitalization by transforming facilities commonly considered nuisances—unique to specific regions—into valuable community spaces. We introduce a four-stage model, consisting of 'Isolation,' 'Addition,' 'Coexistence,' and 'Integration,' to guide the adaptive reuse of challenging facilities like waste treatment centers. To validate this model, the paper analyzes revitalization efforts applied to cycling tracks in various locations. It assesses the effectiveness of the proposed model through these real-world applications. Finally, the paper delves into a case study focused on Takamatsu Keirin Stadium. Through a survey, we attempt to determine whether this particular 'nuisance facility' can be successfully integrated into the local community.

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Aiming to promote regional revitalization efforts using local resources, we focused on “crafts” and used a pairwise comparison analysis to determine the priority of 11 evaluation items set as purchase motives. Both men and women gave high priority to “functionality” and low priority to “emotionality. Although “reliability of manufacturer/brand” was a similar criterion to “emotionality,” males tended to rate “reliability of manufacturer/brand” higher. Uniqueness” and “good taste” were given higher priority by those interested in crafts, while “cost performance” was given higher priority by those not interested in crafts.

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This study reconsidered the function of cafés in town as “the Third Place” from the two perspectives of customers “place for exchange” and “emotional base” and clarified the following from the awareness and state of mind of the users. (1) Around 40% of both those who use cafés as a place for spending time with peers and those who use a specific café as a place of emotional support were confirmed. (2) Those who use cafés as a place for spending time with peers and as a place of emotional support had significantly better mental health. In particular, well-being was measured to be significantly higher in those who used the café as a place to spend with their peers. (3) Those who used the café as a place to spend with their peers had significantly higher levels of community attachment and formed good relationships. They also tended to have higher self-esteem and a higher sense of well-being.

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In this study, using Ishikawa Prefecture as a case study, we quantified the level of facility coverage within walking distance in each mesh unit and discussed its life functions by classifying them into four clusters. As a result, in areas such as Kanazawa City and Nonoichi City, where there are many young and middle aged residents, the coverage rate of the residential mesh with a high level of facility coverage within walking distance is high. On the other hand, in the Okunoto area, where the population is aging rapidly, low livability within walking distance emerged as an issue. The data used in this analysis is publicly available and can be used in other regions as well, since it is a versatile analysis method. This analysis method enables a quantitative evaluation of “livability” from the viewpoint of the level of convenience of living facilities, which is highly demanded by residents.

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To solve regional mobility problems for the elderly and others, the mobility service using an automated driving system is desirable to address the shortage of drivers.Safety, profitability, and flexibility are important for automated driving systems. In terms of safety, the revised Road Traffic Law, which will take effect in April 2023, allows remote monitoring without passengers. In terms of profitability, remote monitoring (one-to-many) will be effective. The town of Eiheiji in Fukui Prefecture implements remote monitoring (one-to-many) with the guided driving system. However, for more flexible urban development, the non-guided driving system is more suitable. In Shizuoka Prefecture, in addition to the non-guided driving system, digital twin development ensures accuracy and efficiency, and provides a certain direction for automated operations. Based on the Shizuoka Prefecture case study, this paper concludes that public development of digital infrastructure and wide-area implementation will lower the economic hurdle and increase the policy significance of addressing mobility issues for the elderly.

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[in Japanese]

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In this paper, a questionnaire survey was conducted among local governments across Japan participating in the Council of Workation Alliance Japan. The survey investigated the current status and past issues at these local governments two and a half years since the spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic. The results of the study revealed that local problem-solving methods are being promoted at tourist resorts targeting small and medium-sized enterprises in the information and telecommunications industry. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the initial objective of the project was Non-resident Population, but the objective for FY2022 has changed to securing a fixed population. The results of the study revealed that municipalities are implementing workcation programs aimed at solving local problems and emphasizing employee wellbeing.

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This study examines the workcation projects of local governments, using 12 municipalities in Hokkaido as case studies, from the perspective of social capital, and setting the following three perspectives. The study clarifies the characteristics and issues of municipal workcation programs from the perspectives of first, collaboration with outside the region through workcation programs (collaboration type); second, collaboration and relationships with local businesses, organizations, and people within the region (cohesion type); and third, emphasis on bridging human connections between within and outside the region (bridging type). The report also identifies the characteristics and challenges of municipal workcation programs. It also attempts to derive policy implications for other municipalities' workcation projects. As a result, it became clear that analysis from these three perspectives is useful for efficient and effective implementation of work-study programs.

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[in Japanese]

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This study clarified the entrepreneurial orientation of key players of the small agribusiness and their business network formation from the perspective of their life histories in the hilly and mountainous areas. Using the data obtained through interviews with entrepreneurs of Corporation K, located in Hamada City, Shimane Prefecture, we investigated the small business formation. As results of the case study qualitative analysis, we found three main findings. First, Entrepreneur (president of the company) have a cautious attitude toward the businesses. Second, Entrepreneurs’ life histories are relevant to the formation of their entrepreneurial awareness and current business development. Third, the business network has been formed on product development based on the broad-based trust relationships with businesses inside and outside the city. This is related to upstream and downstream brand formation. Product development using off-grade agricultural products are also one of the factors to continue to operate in the mountainous areas. It can be pointed out that these business characteristics have a significant impact on product development and good trust relationships with local businesses, which is a factor in the continuation of small agribusiness in hilly and mountainous area.

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Aging and elderly care has already become a major issue in China. Along with the implementation of the nationwide introduction of the long-term care insurance system by 2025, the Chinese government is advocating the construction of a long-term care service system that is based on home care, supported by communities, and supplemented by facility care. The policy to base care at home shares the philosophy of Japan's community-based care services that “the elderly should receive care services in the area where they are accustomed to living as much as possible.” The purpose of this research is to obtain strategic suggestions regarding the direction of marketing of nursing care services for the elderly. We analyzed the ratio of the three types of home care, community care and facility care, and the influencing factors of long-term care method selection. As a result, it became clear that the ratio of home care is more than 90%, which is the target for Shanghai and Beijing, and is the largest in terms of consumer scale. In addition, cross analysis　revealed that age, and income were statistically significant influencing factors in the choice of nursing care method. Elderly people who are older and have higher incomes tend to use home care services, while older people who are younger and have lower incomes are more likely to use facility care services. Marketing directions corresponding to the characteristics of each group were presented.

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In the high school commercial department, we have developed products in cooperation with local companies in classes such as “Product Development and Distribution”, “Comprehensive Practice” and “Issue Research”. However, it is difficult to say that it leads to sustainable product development because product development is often transient, such as ending with sales practice in the school year. In recent years, not only the commercial department, but also the general department, other specialized high schools and junior high schools are practicing product development by utilizing “comprehensive exploration time”, etc., but there is a similar trend. In this article, we will make a case report on the practice of the Okayama Prefectural Kurashiki Washu High School Business Department with the aim of sustainable product development practical training

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Because of the coronavirus pandemic which occurred the early 2020, various traditional festival in Japan were cancelled. On the other hand, there were some festivals which held in Online, or smaller scale than before the coronavirus pandemic. In this study, we researched situations of festivals in Japan in environment of the coronavirus pandemic, and interviewed feelings of people involved and residents regarding the cancellation of festivals. Festivals contribute the inheritance of each local tradition and the development social capital. Cancellation of such festivals have possibilities of bad influences on residents and relationship population. It has been pointed out that folk performing arts inherently transformative. Considering this points, holding festivals online can be considered not only as an emergency response to the coronavirus pandemic, but also as a form of transformation that fits the times and circumstances.

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Over the three years from 2020 to 2022, students from a university based in Okayama City tried to revitalize the Shimomomi district of Kumenan Town by PBL(Project Based Learning) seminars. The university students engaged in activities such as harvesting and selling agricultural products, and making promotional videos for the Shimomomi district to revitalize the region. This study looked back at the activities over the past three years, verified how these activities led to the regional revitalization of the Shimomomi district and the growth of the students'　Shakaijinkisoryoku（the fundamental skills of a working adult）.Moreover, this study explores important factors in verifying and implementing the effects of regional revitalization.

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The purpose of this study is to identify methods of public relations (PR) used in Soja City’s regional revitalization events and to determine the effectiveness of the methods. Against the backdrop of an aging society with a very low birthrate and the increasing concentration of populations in large cities, local　cities need to address community development from a marketing perspective. Among these efforts, PR can communicate attractions to the outside community in a short period. Strategic PR activities are anticipated to be effective, thus significantly contributing to regional revitalization. In this study, the author surveyed previous studies on community revitalization events and researched PR methods. Subsequently, utilizing the author’s practical experience in the field of advertising, a strategic PR campaign for the Soja Denim Mask was implemented, and its effectiveness was assessed.

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In District A, Higashikagawa City, Kagawa Prefecture, community development is being carried out based on community councils organized by residents. Until now, community councils have carried out activities despite the coronavirus pandemic, but it is difficult to say that they have been able to capture the needs of the community. In addition, the community council plans to formulate a regional plan similar to other areas in Higashikagawa City, and a questionnaire survey of local residents will serve as the basic material. Therefore, in this case report, we conduct a residents' awareness survey based on interviews and questionnaire surveys, and identify issues in resident-centered community development.

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In 2022, under the motto of “learning about hot springs and learning from hot springs,” the “Hot Springs Knowledge Study Group” was formed with the keyword “hot springs knowledge” and began activities as a member of “Team New Touji,” an initiative of the Ministry of the Environment. Under the theme of “hot spring resort x academic knowledge,” the group devised new tourism content that utilizes local universities as resources to enhance the attractiveness of hot spring resorts, and was selected for the Ministry of the Environment's “Content Model Study on the Effectiveness of New Touji” in FY2022. This paper examines the value as a “content model” of the two tourism programs conducted through interviews with innkeepers who were the setting for this content model study.

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Decarbonisation is being called for as a global social challenge. As a solution, green recovery initiatives are attracting attention. This study therefore focuses on human resources (GX human resources) who can work to solve regional issues while taking into account the circular economy and biodiversity. The aim is to develop these GX human resources, with universities taking the lead, in cooperation with companies, local authorities and local residents. The aim of this study is to develop an evaluation scale for the development of GX human resources and to verify the effectiveness of the scale. The results showed that the groups that implemented more activities in collaboration with companies, local authorities and local residents were given higher ratings.

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Since the 2000s, art by people with disabilities has received a lot of social attention. In this study, from the viewpoint of “welfare and art”, I examined the impact and ripple effect of holding art exhibitions by people with disabilities and their works on policy. As a result of the consideration, firstly, it was an opportunity to develop a support strategy for visually and hearing impaired people who participate in exhibitions as viewers. Secondly, it evokes the concept of art brut, and it became an opportunity to explore the way art for people with disabilities should be. Thirdly, a concrete measure of paying compensation for the value of the work surfaced, suggesting the possibility of transcending the existing fusion of welfare and art. Both findings share the concept of welfare and art, and it is clear that welfare and art are closely related in art for the disabled, but it is thought that the way they are related is undergoing a period of transformation.

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Ehime University had been implementing the “Regional Innovator Development Program (Toyo),” a locally initiated certificate program corresponding to the opening of the Regional Collaboration Center Saijo, since FY2017, but a considerable period of time had passed since its implementation, and with the decline in the number of participants, there was a need to create a new program. In 2021, the author was appointed as a full-time faculty member of the Center for Human Resource Development and Recurrent Education Support Center for Regional Experts, and by renewing the program, including inviting 23 external speakers under the theme of “fostering social innovators,” the program was opened with 31 participants (at the time of opening), exceeding the initial capacity. The program was successful in developing human resources in accordance with its original purpose.

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