The objective of this study was to use a quasi-experimental design with a control group to verify the effectiveness of an education program, and to investigate the effects of improved energy-conservation awareness on students’ behavioral intention using the visualization method. The education group improved for all factors following the program, and a significant difference was observed in their “motivation to learn about energy” after the program compared to before (p<0.05). Further, their “usefulness of visualization” improved significantly compared to the control group (p<0.05). In addition, excellent goodness of fit was obtained for the model of the improvement of behavioral intention. Based on these results, it was determined that the implementation of this energy-conservation education program using the “visualization method” was effective, with the results suggesting that this method, along with the increased awareness through visual experience, can contribute to the formation of attitudes and increase behavioral intention. This educational system in an energy-conservation program using the visualization method was effective. Moreover, a model of the mechanism for the improvement of behavioral intention for energy conservation was presented.

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The objective of this research is to shed light on the activities and the burnout of the elderly Health Mates in depopulated and aging areas. We conducted an anonymous self-administered questionnaire on 236 Health Mates in three locations (city/town/village) of Shikoku and Kyushu to examine the ideal activities of Health Mates that could contribute to the preventive care of the aged through “Shokuiku”.
The contents of the questionnaire consisted of “attributes,” “degree of satisfaction and hopes with respect to the activities of Health Mates” and “symptoms of burnout.” Those under 65 years of age were classified as the “younger group” and those aged 65 years and over, the “aged group.” Using the χ² test, we analyzed the items of the questionnaire.
The average age of the subjects was 66.1 (±7.7), many of whom had been engaging in the activities for over ten years. Expressing neither satisfaction nor dissatisfaction with the activities, they hoped to have the activities maintained as they were. Few expressed their wish for the reduction of activity time or for the cooperation of relevant local governments.
The results indicated no significant difference in the burnout between the two groups, but they suggested that by adjusting the time and the contents of the activities, while considering the emotional needs of those who are over seventy years old, would lead to both useful and sustainable social activities that would contribute to preventative care.

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The purpose of this study is to assess the recognition of and measures for Shokuiku taken by local governments and to identify the possibility of Shokuiku in communities. In addition to discussing Shokuiku as a public policy, we hypothesize a new framework of Shokuiku in communities.
In this study, we assessed all the municipalities that executed the local basic plans for Shokuiku promotion in Tokyo Metropolitan (n＝36/62 ; 58.1%) to classify the aims and measures of the plans. The results showed that the new concept of Shokuiku was adopted for town development in some municipalities, thereby furthering the idea of the Basic Law for Shokuiku at the national level. To obtain in-depth information, in five municipalities, we conducted direct interviews of the persons responsible for the plans. Qualitative data from the interviews were analyzed according to keywords. We found that cooperation among sections in the local government was difficult, but the process of creating and implementing the plan would strengthen the association between the persons responsible and the organization. The process of creating a plan itself could enhance cooperation among sections.
On the basis of these results, we propose a new framework of Shokuiku with additional functions as compared to the conventional one, in the context of “new public” under the governance of a variety of sectors. The new framework of Shokuiku could enable resolution of public problems in communities through public services by the municipality, beyond the conventional scope of Shokuiku. The municipality can thereby activate communities through the process of governance of various stakeholders.

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Poor dietary behavior among elementary school students in Japan has recently become a cause of concern. Kyoto’s traditional food culture is well known for its healthy, high quality, seasonal ingredients, and thus increased awareness among students may promote improvements in their dietary behavior. Therefore, we developed a shokuiku (food education) program consisting of a series of lectures and practical sessions based on Kyoto’s food culture. We then conducted the program on total of 20 classes of sixth-grade students in a public elementary school in Kyoto to investigate whether increased awareness of the benefits of Kyoto’s food culture would improve their dietary behavior.
After the program, we assessed a number of factors related to dietary behavior. Among these factors, we found that the percentage of students who were able to savor meals using all 5 senses increased from 29.7% to 79.0%, and the percentage of students who paid more attention to table manners at mealtime increased from 10.9% to 40.3%. Furthermore, they came to view Kyoto’s food culture, which is representative of Japan, i.e., having a beautiful seasonal presentation, a spirit of treasuring the inherent color and flavor of the ingredients, and accompanied by a spirit of hospitality known as motenashi no kokoro, as beneficial. More than 90% of the students reported appreciating Kyoto’s food culture and feeling a sense of pride to be residents of the city. They also considered motenashi no kokoro to be its most important principle. In addition, a questionnaire conducted on the students’ parents (response rate, 66.2%) showed that over 50% observed an increase in their child’s interest in cooking and daily dietary habits at home. A separate questionnaire conducted on school teachers showed that the shokuiku program was suitable and effective for sixth-grade students, and that a visit to a restaurant specializing in Kyo-ryori, the cuisine of Kyoto, which was part of the program, allowed the students to reflect on what they had learned at school and to develop more interest in the benefits of Kyoto’s food culture. Moreover, they developed an awareness of healthy dietary behavior.
These results suggest that shokuiku programs can improve dietary behavior in elementary school students.

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