Satoyamaoffers a Chance to Narrow Economic Gaps
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Monday, January 1, 2018 | The Japan Times | 11 new year special Satoyama offers a chance to narrow economic gaps KOSUKE MOTANI words, if satoyama loses the human hand, in the aftermath, at the expense of natural is not the only alternative to 100. Ninety-nine CHIEF SENIOR ECONOMIST, THE JAPAN the ecology will start to lose the richness it resources, which otherwise would have been is also quite different from 100. Businesses RESEARCH INSTITUTE, LIMITED accumulated over the years. In satoyama, passed on to the next generation. In contrast, that sell and buy goods can include elements humans are one of the forces that urge the satoyama capitalism, replicating the human gained by self-sufficiency and bartering in Satoyama is an eco- cycle and reproduction of nature. participation in the sustainability and recov- their first cost and this will provide leeway logical term that I have been an advocate of “satoyama ery cycle of the Japanese satoyama, ensures in their work. Satoyama capitalism and its comes from Japan. capitalism” since 2013. This is a subsystem the circulation of resources and cash through promotion is more like an insurance plan In Japanese, of the modern economy where anyone can economic activities and promotes the reju- that would fill in the gap of conventional satoyama describes exchange anything using money and success venation of younger generations. Values that capitalism when it fails. Continuing to pay the mountains, hills is assessed by the amount of money, more or cannot be secured by money such as relief the premium, however small, would help in and woods adjacent less. Satoyama capitalism fills the gap of truly and trust can be gained through the practice emergencies, such as large earthquakes and to rural communi- money-centered capitalism by putting more of satoyama capitalism. other disasters. Moreover, since the popula- ties all over Japan. weight on the value of cashless exchange, Satoyama capitalism is not a new prin- tion living in satoyama areas are very small, YUKA AOKI PHOTO This meaning has including self-sufficiency, bartering and gift- ciple. It revisits and appreciates the lifestyle of moving to isolated rural areas from urban evolved recently to ing, in addition to exchanging goods with the elderly who live in declining agricultural areas would allow a self-sufficient lifestyle for be, “Satoyama encompasses the mountains, cash. This new concept also values collabo- and fishing communities. The rural areas of one, if not all. woods, farms, fields and rivers surround- ration over competition, social risk sharing Japan, compared to the Western world or Not including satoyama as an economi- ing rural communities, which have a stable over self-responsibility, securing economic even neighbors such as China and Korea, cal insurance and throwing away all other position in the ecology through the dwellers stability after retirement over scrambling have abundant rain, rich soil and diverse veg- options to pursue “international economic usage and maintenance over the long term.” to save while working. Conventional capi- etation which allows cooking on stoves using competition,” saying “making money Human activity, most of the time, is harm- talism widens the economic gap between firewood as fuel and growing your own food through economic growth is the only solu- ful to the sustainability and recovery of the people by urging the rich to pile up their in the garden, even today. Contrary to large- tion,” is just another children’s comic that natural ecosystem. However, in satoyama wealth, causing stagnation of demand that scale agriculture in the U.S. or Australia domi- encourages reckless effort without strategy areas, ecological diversity increases thanks repeatedly causes the collapse of bubble nating the global market, which exhausts the to win in sports. An exit strategy, as well to human activity over many years. In other economies. Piles of immovable assets are left soil and groundwater, satoyama ecology pro- as many options, is crucial in making any vides water, food and fuel for free, to a certain project successful. Little by little, urbanites extent, without destroying the natural cycle. in their 20s and 30s are leaving cities to rural The satoyama ecology has very high sustain- areas to have a whole human life. Younger ability. Elderly people living in urban areas generations are leaving cities, where child- Gaining non-monetary profit lose any means of income after retirement rearing is a challenge and birth rates are and stay haunted by future possibilities of dropping, to move to agricultural and fishery KYOSUKE INOUE evolved in Japan as “satoyama capitalism” pension cuts. However, the elderly popula- communities. These people are prone to EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, and supporters of this new economic policy tions in rural areas, who support some, if not have more children due to the cost reduc- NHK ENTERPRISES, INC. are increasing. By utilizing resources of the all their lifestyle with satoyama capitalism, tion effect satoyama has by shrinking daily satoyama, namely the culture, history and have less fears in aging. I suppose that the costs through the provision of its resources. With the over- people nurtured by the nature and their sur- essence of satoyama capitalism can be intro- Satoyama capitalism is spreading silently whelming influ- roundings, the community will gain wealth duced in urban life to recreate the safety and and becoming a hallmark for those who still ence of climate that is not limited to currency. The younger security provided in rural areas, by utilizing have hope in stopping the rapid population change around the generations, who have seen the vicious cycle idle resources available due to the reduction decrease and increasing sustainability in world, satoyama of the rise and fall of bubble economies, of the working population. Using idle land Japan. has become the have grown to loath the modern economy, as allotment gardens, promoting the use of buzzword for all which has been built on gaining wealth solar and woody biomass fuel, rebuilding citizens trying to through any means. In rejection of that, the culture of mutual aid based on a barter stop it. Reposition- the younger generation has embarked on economy are some ideas. ing humans as a part of nature and all living new projects in regions of Japan where the My proposition is often criticized by peo- creatures on earth, the satoyama concept, population has dwindled that have become ple who say, “The amount of fuel and food which is unique to Japan, has emerged. It labeled as “soon to be impoverished” obtained from satoyama is negligible from urges all dwellers to lend cautious ears to municipalities. These younger people are the national perspective.” To this, I would like the wilderness nearby and consciously pioneers in creating a new economy that to say that I am not proposing for a 100 per- change the environment so both humans is beneficial for both humans and nature cent self-sustained economy. I am saying that and the surrounding nature can thrive. and does not eliminate people through “all Japanese people do not have to depend This concept has been gathering empathy fierce competition. This movement is what on 100 percent of their livelihood on money. from other countries as a mutually advanta- I would like to support and follow this year, Even allocating 1 percent of your economy to The farms in Hokkaido are a wonderful exam- Top: A satoyama scene of a vast field that spreads in a valley. Bottom: Farmers do their own geous relationship. The concept has further as I have done in the past. cashless trade would make a difference.” Zero ple of satoyama in Japan. KOSUKE MOTANI training to grow organic vegetables at a satoyama farm. KOSUKE MOTANI Innovation through diversity Natural beauty, ocean bounty Cooperation is key to success TAKASHI MITACHI tained by local individuals, while today EIKEI SUZUKI ness of sustainable fishing and the preser- TADASHI MATSUSHIMA with local farmers, photographers, web SENIOR ADVISOR, THE BOSTON it is associated with new thinking and MIE PREFECTURE GOVERNOR vation of biodiversity of the coasts. REPRESENTATIVE DIRECTOR, SETOUCHI designers and many others in the com- CONSULTING GROUP K.K. knowledge on local economies and Situated approxi- In the mountainous and forested JAM’s GARDEN CO., LTD munity. The key to succeed in starting their sustainability, often participated in mately in the cen- regions, we have been trying to keep the a business in rural areas is to network The word com- by locals, as well as digitally equipped ter of Honshu on natural balance by using resources wisely. It has been 10 years with people there and to use their ideas mons in the West non-locals. the Pacific coast, Having ways to control the number of since I quit my job and knowledge for the benefit of all. often connotes However, satoyama has unique attri- Mie Prefecture is harmful animals protects the lives of at an electric power At the same time, it is equally impor- the conservation butes when compared to its Western rich in nature. We farmers and natural diversity. Maintain- company and tant to connect to the world outside the of natural land counterparts. proudly welcomed ing forests in good condition as a habitat started Jam’s Garden community to make your business eco- resources accessi- Satoyama, at its best, both encom- global leaders to for animals is one, while appreciating the on Suō-Ōshima, an nomically sustainable, especially in this ble to all members passes and is fortified by quite a few Jap- Ise-Shima in 2016 products of nature in the form of game island in Yamaguchi era of rural depopulation and decline. of society. anese cultural essences — from cuisine for a G-7 summit where we successfully delicacies is another.