This paper presents a general overview of Japanese lacquerware (shikki) production areas of Iwate Prefecture, which, although small in scale, have a long history and continue to produce Japanese ware in various parts of the prefecture. This paper also explores the characteristics of Japanese ware production that have not yet been fully understood, such as the use of Japanese lacquer (urushi) as a raw material, and the maintenance and utilization of tradition in the production of Japanese ware.

　The research revealed the following main characteristics. Japanese ware manufacturers are scattered throughout the prefecture and are divided into northern, central, and southern regions; there are no clusters of Japanese ware production areas. All manufacturers use traditional techniques of wood and Japanese lacquer for their production. In terms of production items, a high percentage of bowls and other tableware products is characteristics of this production area. In addition, many of the manufacturers use locally produced Japanese lacquer as a raw material, and connections with the local community through the use of Japanese lacquer can be considered a unique characteristic of this production area located in a Japanese lacquer-producing region. Furthermore, even during the sluggish economic activity after the spread of COVID-19 infections, there was an increase in the production value of Joboji lacquerware. This increase in demand can be attributed to a consumer understanding of the tradition-oriented production philosophy of Joboji lacquerware.

　The Japanese ware production area of Iwate Prefecture places great importance on the characteristics of the region as a Japanese lacquerware production area and continues to produce Japanese ware that makes the most of its traditions.

　This paper attempts to analyze the service areas of planetarium projection services using examples of the eastern part of Tokyo Prefecture. By focusing particularly on the users, providing methods, and purposes of use to the services, three types of planetarium services are considered: 1) the general use of fixed planetariums by individuals, 2) the educational use of fixed planetariums by groups, and 3) the educational use of mobile planetariums by groups. Using GIS, distribution maps of users (individuals and elementary schools) are depicted, and primary and secondary service areas (radii of circles including 60％ and 80％ of all users, respectively) are defined. It is found that the general use of fixed planetariums by individuals forms the secondary service area of about 10 km. On the other hand, the educational use of fixed planetarium by groups forms a secondary service area of about 5 km. The different size of such service areas is related to the restrictions on access to the services by individuals and groups. The narrow service area of educational use by group forms a kind of blank area of service, and a mobile planetarium business becomes viable at expanding the secondary service area of about 30 km.

　The purpose of this paper is to review the discussions over the past 10 years regarding regional revitalization and give an overview of thees discussions from the perspectives of demographic issues, regional policy, and machizukuri (community development). 　

　Regarding demographic issues, the situation and factors of a low birth rate and population concentration in Tokyo were analyzed, and methods and results of policies to combat the declining birthrate and to disperse the population were examined. It then became clear that a series of policies had created a race to attract populations among municipalities, and the need for a social plan that takes into account the declining population has been raised.

　From the perspective of regional policy, the impacts of regional revitalization policies, which emphasize the method of selection and concentration, on regional core cities and disadvantaged areas, and the national and regional structures we should aim for have been discussed. In addition, it has been reported that growth strategy, policy evaluation and the method of selection and concentration have side effects such as re-centralization and hindering self-determination in regional areas, and decentralization and citizen participation have been sought.

　Finally, from the perspective of machizukuri, it has been reported that regional revitalization policies focus on machizukuri and are integrated with it so that regional revitalization has become synonymous with machizukuri. Based on this, discussions have been held on how to address issues such as utilizing local resources, valuing the region, and securing and developing leaders. The field of geography will need to not only analyze and propose regional policies as it has done in the past, but also conduct more practical research and provide accompanying support for the “post-regional revitalization” era.