This study aims to clarify the internal factors that contribute to the sustainability of public wells and springs, from the perspective of local residents’ voluntary activities. This objective will be achieved by analyzing the current functions and management of public wells and springs in central Matsumoto City. The analysis takes into account both the policies of the local government and the awareness and actions of the local residents. Following numerous well-drilling projects and the installation of pumps and faucets by local governments in the 1990s and 2000s, public wells and springs in central Matsumoto City have gained popularity. They are now valued not only for providing drinkable water, but also as water-friendly spaces and tourist attractions. Clean-up activities are conducted by neighborhood associations or individual volunteers. There are two internal factors that can be considered for the sustainable management of these public wells and springs. The first is the development of a sense of ownership among local residents, as these spaces have evolved into communal areas for communication activities such as tea drinking. The second is the emergence of normative consciousness among local residents, stemming either from a sense of responsibility towards the community or from an increase in the number of tourists and well users. The increase in motivation and enthusiasm of local residents to participate in clean-up activities, driven by these two factors, has enabled the sustainable continuation of voluntary activities.

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Regional understanding of Europe has conventionally focused on regional diversity of the natural environment and culture, as well as political and economic integration by the EU. On the other hand, understanding of so-called ethnic groups such as immigrants and refugees remains low. Although they are a group with their own history and culture, opportunities to understand from their perspective are surprisingly limited. For example, geography studies in junior and senior high schools also cover their influx, but they are positioned as groups that joined Europe from elsewhere, and it remains difficult to understand them. However, their presence is essential to understanding of Europe, where the number of foreigners is increasing, and it will be necessary to present a new perspective for this purpose. Here, possibility of regional understanding focusing on ethnic groups is discussed.

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[in Japanese]

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This study clarified the role of community bus in maintaining and fostering social capital among residents and elderly people in a depopulated mountainous area in Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture, and the challenges they face. The results of statistical analysis based on questionnaires and interviews indicated that the continuous operation of community bus is effective in fostering social capital by creating social ties through the expansion of information and networks. The results also indicated that social capital can be further fostered if the connections and networks that exist in the region and community are brought into the community bus service. While many people consider community bus to be a "means of transportation" in the current situation, the need for community bus in the future is much greater than the current need, with more than half of the respondents in both districts indicating that community bus will contribute to the establishment of a safe and secure transportation environment for the elderly and play an important role in providing a "place of connection" during transportation. This is an important role.

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