Sustainability in Contemporary Rural Japan Challenges and Opportunities [Hardcover]

Rural communities in Japan have suffered from significant depopulation and economic downturn in post-war years. Low birth rates, aging populations, agricultural decline and youth migration to large cities have been compounded by the triple disaster of 11 March 2011, which destroyed farming and fishing communities and left thousands of people homeless. This book identifies these challenges and acknowledges that an era of post-growth has arrived in Japan. Through exploring new forms of regional employment, community empowerment, and reverse migration, the authors address potential opportunities and benefits that may help to create and ensure the quality of life in depopulating areas and post-disaster scenarios. This book will be of interest not only to students of Japanese society, but also to those outside of Japan who are seeking new approaches for tackling depopulation challenges.

Introduction Part I Challenges in Rural Areas 1. Social Sustainability in Post-3.11 Coastal Japan: The Significance of Social Capital Alyne E. Delaney 2. Local Schools in Remote Areas: Challenges for Youth, Parents and Community Johannes Wilhelm3. The Heisei Municipal Mergers: Measures of Sustainability, Equality and Identity Anthony S. Rausch4. Agriculture in Japan: Free Trade and the Need for Reform Stephanie AssmannPart II Case Studies Employment in Rural Areas 5. Social Enterprise Businesses in Rural Community Development in Hokkaido Rosario Laratta6. Working for Others in Kawakami: Contradictive Expectations, Tensions, and Negotiating Power Relations Meng Liang Sustainability Across Generations: Life Reform, Lifestyle Migration and U-Turn Movements 7. Young Urban Migrants in the Japanese Countryside Between Self-realization and Slow Life? The Quest for Subjective Well-being and Post-materialism Susanne Klien8. Islands for Lifl³q