Geographical Study on the Development of Sustainable Villages

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The objective of this study is to describe the characteristics of sustainable rural villages in Japan and their bases for existence. We examined several rice-growing, dairy, fruit-growing and horticultural villages in central Japan. In those villages we collected data on physical conditions, land use and landscape, farm management, public facilities, economic conditions, village history, demographic structure, social organizations, annual events, social communication and future village plans.This study shows that sustainable rural villages are (1) economically successful (both farming and non-farming), and (2) socially and culturally stable (a high quality of life). These villages also (3) maintain and enhance environmental quality and (4) produce a sufficient and accessible food supply. In order to keep rural villages sustainable, one of the most important factors is to have a well-organized and functioning community based on good human relations among residents. Most sustainable rural villages discussed in this study have active social organizations to create a sense of community. Now it is important to establish new rural communities in place of the traditional ones which disappeared during the period of the rapid economic growth in the 1960s.We have already read papers at the annual meetings of the Japanese Geographical Society and Japanese Human Geographical Society and the Tsukuba International Conference on the Sustainable Rural Systems in 1995. We have also published some papers on academic journals or university bulletins.