Basic Research on Tourism Development in Ethnic Neiborhood

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24611010
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Tourism Studies
• Research Institution: Takasaki City University of Economics
• Principal Investigator: Maruyama Naho 高崎経済大学, 地域政策学部, 准教授 (60612603)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 外国人街 / 住民のエンパワーメント / 観光地化 / 多文化共生 / エスニックマイノリティ / ブラジル人街 / 韓国人街 / 異文化態度（Ethnic Attitudeｓ）

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The goal of this research was to explore whether and how tourism development in an ethnic neighborhood can be a tool to revitalize the local community while promoting mutual understanding between Japanese locals and immigrants and empowering the foreign residents. A Brazilian town in Oizumi, Gunma prefecture, and a Korean town in Ikuno, Osaka prefecture, were chosen as research sites. Face to face interviews, observation, and on-site, self-administered surveys were conducted at the both sites. The analysis indicated that the foreign residents feel more empowered than Japanese residents. It was also indicated that visiting an ethnic neighborhood can foster intercultural understanding among the visitors. However, the analysis also indicated that, particularly in Oizumi town, Japanese residents are not supportive for the tourism development that focused on the Brazilian culture. The findings suggested some theoretical and practical implications.

Free Research Field

観光学