| Project/Area Number |
09680152
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
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| Allocation Type | Single-year Grants |
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| Section | 一般 |
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| Research Field |
Human geography
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| Research Institution | University of Tsukuba |
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Principal Investigator |
TABAYASHI Akira Univrtsity of Tsukuba, Institute of Geoscience, Professor, 地球科学系, 教授 (70092525)
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| Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
MATSUI Keisuke Univrtsity of Tsukuba, Institute of Geoscience, Assistant Professor, 地球科学系, 講師 (60302353)
MORIMOTO Takehiro Univrtsity of Tsukuba, Institute of Geoscience, Assistant Professor, 地球科学系, 講師 (20282303)
SAITO Isao Univrtsity of Tsukuba, Institute of Geoscience, Professor, 地球科学系, 教授 (90006586)
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| Project Period (FY) |
1997 – 1999
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| Keywords | sustainable village / woman / part-time farmer / aging / community activities / natural environment / urbanization / rural community |
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| Research Abstract |
Rural areas and agriculture in Japan and other advanced countries have changed drastically following the rapid economic development occurred after the World War II. Traditional characteristics of Japanese rural communities, based on a form of communal organization, rapidly disappearing. This study attempts to discuss the regional conditions of sustainable rural systems especially focusing the role of female community activities to create rural villages. Although this research project consisted of (1) reviewing previous studies, (2) statistical analysis and (3) regional studies, its stress on the last one.
This study clarifies that diversified rural economic activities have led to the weakened solidarity of rural communities in Japan although these places have become economically well-off. Improved irrigation systems and farm roads have reduced the need for rural villagers to participate in mandatory communal work. The provision of modern facilities and infrastructure does not always lead to sustainable rural areas. For example many rural hamlets in rice-growing areas are likely lose their viability once land improvement work occurred and the number of part-time farmers has increased. In this situation, active communities based on a good human relation are one of the most important factors to form sustainable rural areas. It is essential for villagers to make, keep or reform various organizations to support rural communities. In order to realize this, women members of rural communities who take root in local areas have played an important role.
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