International Rural Studies
Based on field surveys in Asia, we examine relationships between rural development and the environment in contemporary globalized societies. We also explore how we can redirect ourselves toward “sustainable development” from the perspective of local communities.
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Roles of endogenous self-organization in natural resource management
The commons are the cultural and natural resources accessible to all community members, which are not often managed by the “invisible hand” under a market system. It is the local community that uses the commons sustainably, and endogenous self-organization plays a crucial role in forming norms for sustainable resource exploitation. In this context, our research interests focus on rural communities exploiting natural resources, with study areas including Japan, Korea, China, and Vietnam.
Conditions of participatory management of regional resources in Japan
Farmland and irrigation and drainage facilities serve as agricultural infrastructure for paddy fields and contribute to society in other ways, such as reducing damage caused by heavy rains or developing visually favorable landscapes. In recent decades, depopulation and aging of farmers have made it difficult for rural communities to maintain this infrastructure properly. Therefore, there is a growing awareness that addressing this problem requires new participation in non-farmers’ maintenance activities. Our research clarifies how rural communities maintain them and the factors affecting resident involvement in maintenance.