This paper aims to explore the reasons behind the appearance of unattractive and formalized parks in rural Japanese communities, especially in those wherein community members enthusiastically participate in the planning of the recreation and leisure areas. Traditionally, rural communities in Japan have been characterized by clear boundaries and strong institutions such as Jichikai , having maintained a Gemeinschaft society. In this paper, we analyze the village of Yoza in the southern area of Okinawa’s main island. In 1944, 41% of the villagers were killed during the invasion of the US Army. However, even after losing many community members, these villages have restructured their organizations and have carefully restored and maintained their common buildings and fields during the more than 50 years that have passed since World War II. Usually, parks that have no historical or regional identity and have impersonal atmospheres are planned by the administrative offices of local governments. However, in a few cases, unattractive parks arise even when community members are actively involved in their planning. The Yoza community is such a case. An analysis of the community’s involvement in the planning of park areas revealed two direct reasons, namely, the subsidy system of the central government and the occupation by the Allied Forces, and one fundamental reason, that is, the values of its inhabitants.

View full abstract

　　　　The aim of this study is to clarify how the regional agriculture succeeded in cooperation with the newcomers, who have activated and influenced people in rural communities’ reforms.
　　　　From this research it is proved as follows.
　　　　The newcomers made a large impact on the regional agriculture because of abundant information with a keen management-strategy. There are various instances, that have made footholds for green tourism in the regional agriculture. That is producing high-value-added-products, practicing agriculture, the installation of joint-direct-sale-places and conducting the farm-restaurant. The newcomers have enabled people in rural communities to carry on activities by themselves, while being acquainted with green tourism.
　　　　The newcomers have taught people in rural communities the limits of old agriculture and showed them the management of a new agriculture. People in rural communities have opened the whole course of production, processing, circulation and selling by themselves.
　　　　This study has clarified that the newcomers, who were never outsiders, have succeeded in remaking farming methods and created a new type of farm area.

View full abstract

　　　　This article considers contemporary conditions of warichi in both irrigation and forests in Nishikanbara-gun, Niigata prefecture, from the perspective of the commons. The warichi , allegedly established in early modern Japan, is a redistribution system of arable land and forest to share risks associated with natural disasters and to pay land taxes proportionally among landholders in each village. Therefore, the warichi is a corporate form of landholdings. This article presents research from the contemporary conditions of warichi in two cases. I found that the warichi formally remains in the mountain forest, while it has been eliminated in the cultivated land holdings. Considering the landholders’ managing irrigation systems today, warichi could be called a commons. The mountain forest can be said to continue to be commons in that ordinary people can access the areas and enjoy climbing the mountain. Furthermore, this research finds that the mountain forest would be better managed by a cooperative network between mountain landholders, local public administration, and volunteer groups.

View full abstract