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LOCAL INITIATIVES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN RURAL HOKKAIDO: A CASE STUDY OF SAMANI

https://doi.org/10.24057/2071-9388-2013-6-2-72-79

Abstract

The paper presents the results of a field investigation about sustainable development of Samani town—a rural area in Hidaka region, Hokkaido, Japan. Local activities, business, environmental, social and economic challenges that affect the town as well as the advantages were investigated. The research was done by means of field visits, questionnaires and interviews involving the local people and government. The main economic sectors: olivine industry, fishery, agriculture and tourism were targeted as well as the government sector and the local high school with a particular focus on rural-urban migration. Samani has quite unique natural features on hand but a few strong comprehensive challenges on the other hand. The authors focused on the citizens opinions and positions which were based on the uniqueness of Samani and their own local activities and initiatives for the sustainable development of the town in the future which can be replicated in other rural communities around the world.

About the Authors

Devon Dublin

Japan
Graduate School of Environmental Science, Center for Sustainability Science, Hokkaido University; Kita 9 Nishi 8, Sapporo, 060-0809 Sapporo, Japan


Alexandra Bancheva

Russian Federation
Faculty of Geography, Lomonosov Moscow State University; Moscow, Russia;  Leninskie gory, 1, 1199911


Amy Freitag

United States
Duke University; 135 Pivers Island Rd Beaufort, NC 28516


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Review

For citations:


Dublin D., Bancheva A., Freitag A. LOCAL INITIATIVES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN RURAL HOKKAIDO: A CASE STUDY OF SAMANI. GEOGRAPHY, ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINABILITY. 2013;6(2):72-79. https://doi.org/10.24057/2071-9388-2013-6-2-72-79

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ISSN 2071-9388 (Print)
ISSN 2542-1565 (Online)