This paper examines how the San people of Botswana, until recently hunter-gatherers, have attempted to resolve the problems of 1) structure of social group and 2) economic disparity in the resettlement areas while adopting and practicing the funerary rites of the Tswana national majority. In the resettlement areas, the camps (small, fluid residential groups based on kinship) collapsed, and the basis for social group formation was lost. Consequently, people chose burial places through discussion, while kinship and human relations in the resettlement area were later reorganized. In this way, social groups, which are articulated through funerary rites, are deeply connected to the economic disparities that have grown over recent years. Social groups and their financial power are expressed through various aspects of the funeral, e.g., type of coffin and grave. By not adhering to Tswana practices related to the presence of the dead, the San did not dismiss the funeral rituals either as troublesome or as contradictory to their egalitarian values. Instead, they shared a negative attitude to the former burial practice and portrayed the standard of living that ought to exist in their settlement. Thus, the San used a modified version of Tswana funerary practice as an opportunity to reorganize their social relations and to share new values.

Varzaneh has suffered from several serious droughts since 2000, which have affected the region’s agricultural productivity. Consequently, water management and water-related problems in the Zayanadeh-rud basin are now frequent topics for discussion. Nonetheless, little effort has been made to describe clearly and concretely how the inhabitants who use river water for irrigation cope with droughts and severe water shortages. This study seeks to describe how the people of Varzaneh have responded to droughts by focusing on their daily practices and subsistence activities. To achieve this, the life histories of inhabitants of Varzaneh were described and analyzed. These life histories not only revealed the implications of drought for the lives of those dwelling downstream but also strongly reflected the impact of ongoing changes in Iran.

This study aims to explore the relationship between the development of resident activities and the management of temporary settlements after the 2011 Great East Earthquake, and to discuss the measures introduced to prevent a decline in community activity. Through a literature study and interviews, the actual development of resident activities in temporary settlement was revealed. The results showed that, to develop resident activities, it is necessary to promote interaction, to establish shared interests within the community, to develop commonality, and to build greater autonomy. Nonetheless, the resources that an individual can call upon and the access to supports that can drive an individual’s potential are more important. Consequently, establishing a community environment, and shaping it in a supportive manner that is conducive to individual needs, is essential to ensure that community activity does not decline.

The contribution of Japan’s elderly to the sustainability of their communities has been the focus of much attention to gain a better understanding of their lifestyles. As rural villages become increasingly marginalized, the elderly continue to play a central role in local agriculture. Notably, many who have given up farming continue to live in the area alongside elderly farmers. Therefore, as a case study on the diversity of lifestyles among the elderly in Japanese communities and the foundations that support them, this paper discusses the life story of a former dairy farmer. Specifically, interviews were conducted to illuminate the life story of a man in Monbetsu City, Hokkaido, who quit farming at the age of 60. It was found that this lifestyle represented a positive choice to leave farming without relocating. Moreover, this way of life does not mandate handing down agricultural expertise to succeeding generations. To examine the sustainability of local communities, it is necessary to investigate otherwise hidden daily activities from the perspective of inheriting agriculture and farming knowledge.

The amount and diversity of public housing densely inhabited by foreigners is increasing across Japan. Since 2000, the population of highly-educated, technically-skilled Chinese in public housing estates has skyrocketed in the Tokyo metropolitan area. This study seeks to investigate the above demographic group by examining the living conditions and community involvement of individuals in two public housing estates: Kawaguchi Shibazono in Saitama and Oshima 4-chome in Tokyo. Based on interviews with ten Chinese residents, it was found that many participants live in employer-assisted public housing and have little intention of settling in public housing. Those in public housing are not generally active in the community, although some are indeed interested in becoming active. Visiting Chinese grandparents played a significant role in child-rearing practices among the sample families, but had little contact with the community.

Judging the value of wood is difficult, as it is a natural product that is difficult to analyze quantitatively. Moreover, no consensus exists over the criteria for such analysis. Among wood products, the value of the material called Meiboku is particularly challenging to assess. Meiboku has been recognized for its role in Sukiya and Chashitsu architecture. In the postwar Showa period, Meiboku was used in special spaces such as alcoves and guest rooms. Today, however, Meiboku has begun to lose this specialized function as well as popular recognition, leading to a decline in its use and market. This paper investigates the use of the expression “Meiboku” by housing manufacturers, highlighting and interpreting changes in attitudes toward materials. Today, most mass-produced homes are built by major housing manufacturers, who use materials they have developed themselves. Such materials differ in nature from traditional Meiboku and may conceptually have the opposite meaning. Nevertheless, the expression “Meiboku” often appears in the product descriptions of housing manufacturers. Accordingly, this study analyzes aspects of the evolving concept and meaning of Meiboku.