[H-GG01] Dialogues on natural resources and environment between earth and social sciences

[HGG01-05] World Natural Heritage and Sustainability of Local Communities and Economy-A Case Study of Higashi Village, Okinawa Prefecture-

*Sekine Ryohei¹ (1.Tohoku University)

Keywords:Return to the Countryside in Japan, Migrant, World Natural Heritage, Higashi Village, Kunigami County, Okinawa Prefecture

The purpose of this study is to clarify the social and economic dynamics of the recent return to the countryside, targeting Higashi Village, Kunigami County, Okinawa Prefecture. In other words, the actual situation of the migration process of migrants and the acceptance of the area will be clarified from the perspectives of three hurdles, "housing," "employment," and "community." In addition, we will clarify the relationship between migrants and existing tourism-related companies, farm households that produce pineapples, and district leaders. It considers the sustainability of the community and economy. Environmental resources within Higashi Village, such as the "Kesaji Hirugi Forest," which is a mangrove forest, were registered as a World Natural Heritage Site in July 2021.
This study revealed the following: It is the migrants who are the bearers of ecotourism in Higashi Village, and the migrants are now the leaders. However, this may also dilute the existence of people from Higashi Village.As a result, it cannot be said that regional environmental protection and socio-economic sustainability can be guaranteed. As for the housing of migrants, there are not so many problems for senior migrants, but it is a high hurdle for young migrants. As a countermeasure, housing built by the village government is effective. However, there is likely to be information asymmetry between the local population and the migrants, which may exacerbate the difficulty of migration.