This paper examines how in-migrants to remote islands come to play roles in local communities and how their practices relate to the continuity of community life. The study is based on qualitative interviews with 23 in-migrants living on three Japanese islands. Focusing on their narratives, the paper analyzes how they formed relationships with local residents, entered community life, and came to assume particular roles. The findings indicate that the involvement of in-migrants can be understood from three interrelated aspects. First, many in-migrants gained access to local communities by taking on concrete roles in everyday life, such as helping with community events, participating in collective work, providing transportation for older residents, and supporting local gatherings. In remote island communities, such small roles were not peripheral; they often functioned as important points of entry into local relationships. Second, relationshipbuilding was not automatic. Some in-migrants experienced time lags, difficulties, and constraints in becoming accepted, particularly when they had no prior local ties or when their connections remained limited to workrelated networks. Third, some in-migrants came to play mediating roles that linked the inside and outside of the island through information-sharing, community-building, support activities, and the creation of new places for interaction. The paper argues that, in remote island settings, the significance of in-migrants should not be reduced to population replacement. Because island societies are small in scale and everyday life is closely interconnected, even modest practices can contribute to sustaining community functions and shared life. The significance of in-migrants lies in the ways they gradually become embedded in local relationships and, through this process, help support the continuity of community life.

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This study examines the realities of tourism in remote island destinations and identifies key challenges for sustainable tourism policy. It focuses on how concentrated tourist activities affect residents' daily lives, how tourists behave and evaluate local resources, and how local governments perceive issues related to tourism promotion. Five Japanese islands—Miyakojima, Ishigakijima, Taketomijima, Iriomotejima, and Yakushima—serve as case studies, utilizing spatial analysis, online review analysis, and policy document analysis. Spatial analysis reveals a common pattern: most major tourist sites are located in natural areas far from residential settlements, with less than one percent of the island population residing nearby. This trend is strongest in Yakushima, where all major attractions lie in non-residential zones, indicating that tourism pressures natural environments more than daily life. Taketomijima differs, as tourist sites overlap village areas, resulting in congestion and dissatisfaction with service responsiveness. Online reviews show that nature-based experiential tourism dominates across all islands. Iriomotejima and Yakushima are characterized by highly rated ecotours and trekking, reinforcing their identities as nature-oriented destinations. Taketomijima stands out for its traditional village landscape, which strongly influences positive evaluations. Negative reviews commonly cite congestion, limited activities during inclement weather, and dissatisfaction with service quality. Weather-related restrictions are notable in Miyakojima and Ishigakijima, while concerns about environmental degradation appear frequently in Iriomotejima and Yakushima. Municipal tourism policies emphasize balancing environmental conservation with tourism development. Iriomotejima and Yakushima prioritize natural protection, Taketomijima focuses on safeguarding residents' living environments and responsible tourism, and Miyakojima and Ishigakijima emphasize diversifying tourism and improving visitor management. Overall, the study identifies four shared challenges: reducing seasonal and spatial concentration of tourists, strengthening environmental and landscape conservation, developing year-round tourism resources including options for bad weather, and improving service quality and visitor management. Sustainable tourism policies that minimize environmental impacts while maintaining harmony with residents' daily lives are essential for the long-term viability of remote island destinations.

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