Paper short abstract:

This paper explores alternative mechanisms to address degrowth in peripheral Japan, focusing on Imabetsu, Aomori. The paper questions the current pro-growth oriented approach arguing that a radical agenda embracing new mobilities and degrowth could help to address sustainable development.

Paper long abstract:

Japan's severe population decline is seriously threatening the sustainability of many of the country's municipalities. In a desperate run for survival, all levels of government have hurried to apply strategies aiming at stopping decay and the development of new infrastructure is met with particularly high expectations for new prosperity. That is the case of Imabetsu, Aomori Prefecture. At just 2,756 inhabitants, it became the smallest municipality in the country to enjoy a stop in the high-speed railway (HSR) network after the completion of the first trait of the Hokkaido Shinkansen in 2016. The town, whose population has more than halved since the 1950s, have devised a new masterplan to take advantage of the HSR and revitalise its local economy.

Still entrenched in a traditional pro-growth narrative, this approach seems to disregard the dire socioeconomic reality of the town and northern Tohoku region. Initial findings also seem to disprove the expectations of local planners and offer a much more nuanced perspective on the regional impact of HSR. Would it be possible to reconsider the role of the Shinkansen by adopting a radical agenda that embraces new mobilities and degrowth as a paradigm to address sustainable development?

By reflecting on the case of Imabetsu, this paper explores alternative mechanisms to address degrowth thus rethinking notions of revitalization for peripheral communities and regions in Japan. It argues that rather than fighting against decline by luring new residents, towns like Imabetsu could better take advantage of the opportunities granted by HSR and explores ways in which the flow of human capital and resources can both support the long-term viability of the town and a more sustainable form of development. In doing this analysis, this paper calls for a careful reconsideration of the contemporary pro-growth approach of Japanese shrinking regions based on a holistic approach promoting a sustainable circulation and the valorisation of local resources.

Paper short abstract:

This presentation focuses on ruins, which became prevalent in early 21st century in Japan, and aims to reposition the activity of exploring these abandoned spaces as attaching alternative meanings to urban spaces by drawing on play and city theories to describe how ruins were actually explored.

Paper long abstract:

This presentation reframes the activity of exploring ruins, which became prevalent in early 21st century in Japan, as attaching alternative meanings to urban spaces. In Japan, while interest in ruins has been growing since the 1980s, it was limited to photographs of ruins that were considered visually appealing. In this presentation, we focus on "How to Exploring Ruins (Haikyo no Arukikata)" by Toru Kurihara, a 2002 guidebook with detailed information and pictures that familiarize people with these abandoned sites by listing modern ruins in Japan that can be visited. Notably, the book classifies ruins by the type of building, the number of years from which was abandoned, etc. Expanding on play theories of such as Huizinga and Roger Caillois and city theories from the 1950s-1980s, this presentation also describes how people explored ruins and how the activity represented their practices.

Paper short abstract:

Consuming domination, societal isolation and exclusion, and environment careless are turning Japanese society to a fragile region in front of environmental risks, such as climate change, toxic chemical releases, and radiation.

Paper long abstract:

While climate strikes gained momentum in many developed countries, Japan remained silent. How do the Japanese recognize their environmental conditions nowadays? What roles do Japanese citizens play in environmental participation? What is the relation of individuals, communities (including Seikyo), and the environment in the eyes of Japanese people?

This paper uses data and interviews to understand Japanese society from the perspective of environmental sociology through the lens of Japanese environmental perceptions and participation. Three points are clear. First, consumption behavior keeps the Japanese from being the main actor or Seikatsu-sya in their society. Buying behavior dominates Japanese daily life and influences their perceptions towards the environment. Second, a hidden classification in Japanese society is forming. There is less power for people with weak relations in society. Considering that many Japanese are living alone, especially older people, the community's exclusion from environmental pollution creates a disconnect in society. This type of disconnection is destroying collective value and the communities gradually. Third, Japanese like to complain to others instead of caring about their own effect on environmental deterioration. They wish to avoid their responsibility in environmental protection. Although responsibility is valued in Japanese society, the Japanese often feel too much responsibility to keep the environment clean because they are already living with many social rules. Hence, when they feel difficulty in environmental activities, they tend to find a scapegoat, usually placing blame on immigrants for the worsening environmental conditions, instead of caring for the environment themselves.

Therefore, consuming domination, societal isolation and exclusion, and environment careless are turning Japanese society to a fragile region in front of environmental risks, such as climate change, toxic chemical releases, and radiation. Although low responses and long-term recovery after the "3.11" already exposed those problems in Japanese society. Social indifference and low participation in environmental activity will severe the recognition of environmental problems. It will deepen the negative influence of environmental problems eventually. In the future, more research on individual, community, and environmental participation in this field is needed.