Open Access
Table 2
Residents’ views on the effects of the Yamakiya School on local issues.
| Local issue | Example of Yamakiya School and research activities | Details of interviews with Yamakiya residents participating in Yamakiya School |
|---|---|---|
| Issue (1): – Radiation effects – Environmental safety – Safety of crops and forest products – Reputation |
– Measurement of 137Cs concentration in water – External exposure dose – Evaluation of behaviour of 137Cs in forests – Agricultural work and crop surveys – Wild vegetable surveys – Sharing of survey results – Lectures on radioactive materials – Eat wild vegetables together after measuring their concentration of 137Cs |
– It was significant that the university brought in students. The students probably also had concerns about whether the location was safe. If students can be reassured about safety, then we (residents) can also feel safe. Students do their research and report to the teacher. – I am confident that it is really safe because the researchers brought their children. – We and the participants can feel safe by collecting and measuring agricultural products and wild vegetables, and based on the results eat them together. – These exchanges can be made and awareness shared by having fun together. Yamakiya is believed to be high in radioactive material, but in small individual steps, we have gradually gained confidence. |
| Issue (2): – Divided local communities and reduced local resources – Disruption of cultural traditions – Maintenance and management of the local infrastructure – Deterioration of the landscape |
– Tours of Yamakiya – Events utilizing local specialties (flower arrangement, miso-making, etc.) – Exchange events for residents of Yamakiya and elsewhere using local ingredients – Agricultural experiences |
– I think that the School contributes to the community. I think that it contributes economically because it buys ingredients. – The things people from elsewhere notice helps us reconfirm the appeal of Yamakiya that we take for granted. – Speaking with people from outside the area allows you to get various new information. For example, when discussing dried daikon, we talk about how delicious the daikon in Marumori is, and how the dried daikon in Nagasaki is. This makes us think about what we could do in Yamakiya. Although we will not make money right away, we might want to imitate them or try a different approach. – Yamakiya people who do not participate are still very cautious and critical about the outside world. I want such people to participate. – Events such as the School may be temporary, but if we continue to nurture connections, we may find something of value. – Some local people have given up or lost motivation; I think it would be good to let the locals know what is happening at the School. – We want to share the idea of making the whole area a place where people want to come to and feel comfortable. I want to share this intention, but it is difficult. – The areas along the national road are managed, but places that are not convenient and rough have reverted to nature. Even if they are to revert to nature, it would be good to manage the whole area as a landscape. |
| Issue (3): – Resuming agriculture – Insufficient manpower – Introduction of new crops and technologies – Animal damage – Decreased production motivation |
– Volunteering in agriculture (about one day per month) – Tea parties |
– Agricultural volunteers were effective to some extent in the early stage of resuming agriculture. However, once full-scale agriculture was resumed, agricultural volunteers who came about once a month had no significant effect. – Training people from urban areas and students from outside Yamakiya in farm work is troublesome and can reduce work efficiency, but having them getting to know Yamakiya and working together is stimulating, and therefore, attractive. – We are thinking of creating a volunteer system by expanding the network from the School. I think we need a system, such as recruitment, giving vegetables as an expression of gratitude, or the like. – There are limits to compensation and assistance, so we must consider what we can do to continue. Both product and tourism resource perspectives are needed. |
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