The Nature of Tsuyama Region based on Changing Chief Industries

In this paper, the nature of Tsuyama region was explained in terms of several changing features such as agricultural, industrial, commercial, and sight-seeing activities. Also, short history of mining sulfide ore at Yanahara Town was described and the population change of surrounding area was analyzed. Although the vitality of agriculture in general has gradually fallen mainly due to the decrease of number of farm household, of the rate of full-time farm household, of the area of farmland, and of the harvested area of rice, tobacco, and Japanese radish, the production of black syobean and the rate of vegetables, etc. have increased. After the highway of Chugoku line was opened to traffic, the number of industrial parks and establishments suddenly increased in and around Tsuyama City and they employed many workers. Within the industries of Tsuyama City, manufactures of genaral and electrical machineries, equipment and supplies developed, but the ones of textile mill products, apparel and other finished products made from fabrics and similar materials declined. In sight-seeing, tourists of Yunogou spa have increased in a satisfactory. Population of the municipalities except Tsuyama City have decreased since 1970 and a number of large-sized stores have come to be located in the suburbs of Tsuyama City

Transition of Arable Land Use in Okayama Prefecture

In this study, a long-term transition on arable land use and planted acreage in Okayama prefecture is mainly examined. There were no substantial changes at the area of the cultivated acreage and the use level of arable land before World War II. In statistics after 1965, the use level of the cultivated acreage and arable land has decreased remarkably. In this point, it is clearly observed that the cultivated acreage in 2005 has decreased by 60 percent compared with 1960 and the area of the field has importantly decresed in the same period about 80 percent. In addition, the uncultivated arable land in 2005 has increased double (or more) compared with 1975. Finally, this analysis concretely illustrated decreasing of man's concern for the production of food. Because a part of the safety of food is threatened recently, it is important in above all to procure food safely. Moreover, to reinforce a domestic production of food the decision and the execution of an effective policy are requested

Tendency of Main Sightseeing-areas based on the Number of Tourists for Some 30 Years in Okayama Prefecture

In this paper, the tendency of the number of tourists was examined for some 30 years at several sightseeing-areas in Okayama prefecture. Recently, large-scale parks on well-known theme have been built in Japan, the management strategy of sightseeing-spots is becoming harder. However, it is important for us to understand the peculiarity of local sightseeing-areas and advertise the information on unsophisticated nature and culture linked with surrounding ecological system consistently. Sustainable management of sightseeing-areas is affected and sustained by the thought and life-style of peoples living in the adjacent areas

Transition on Grape Production in Okayama prefecture

In this paper, we aim to explain the history and areal distribution of grape production in Okayama prefecture with the special attention to the main kinds of grapes. Although Muscat cultivation in glasshouse was already been introduced in the 19th century, grape production had remarkably increased up to mid-20th century. After various kinds of grapes such as Neo-Muscat and Campbell Early have been cultivated, it has come to concentrate on the production of Pioniere in Okayama prefecture. The cultivated area of grapes is, however, decreasing gradually due to aging in the farm labor force and the lack of agricultural successors. In the light of the investigations, this research subsequently stated the outline and the transition of the grape production with the exsisting statistical materials etc

Management of Rural Region in Association with Its Regionality of the Western Part of Tottori Prefecture

In this paper the brief history, the status quo and the problem of regional management in association with its regionality were examined in Yodoe town and Mizokuchi town in the western part of Tottori Prefecture. These areas have the focus of Yonago city. Mt. Daisen and Kaike-spring have been well-known, and Tottori Flower Park recently attracts many tourists. However, agriculture also flourishes remarkably in these areas. Although Yodoe town has been celebrated for the waters and traditional umbrella, the town management recently makes the most of acorn and ancient tombs, giving emphasis to international relations and history. In Mizokuchi town the oldest legend of ogre has been investigated intently and the town management in connection with it has been proceeded. As these plannings use their histories and features peculiar to the area as a management concept, they have high originality. As a future problem, it may be necessary to built up a closer connection and coordinate each regional functions within the extensive areas

Diversity of Agricultural Production and Its Change in Tottori Prefecture

In this paper, diversity of agricultural production and its change was examined for some 45 years in Japan and for 1960, 1980, and 2000 in Tottori prefecture. The concept of entropy was used in order to measure the diversity of the agricultural production which consists of some sections. Agricultural production section in Japan has been diversified in the long run. The ratio of rice has been decreasing gradually for a policy of cutting back on the acreage under cultivation. Although the ratio of stock raising and fruits has increased, it tends in recent years to stagnate. The rate of vegetables has increased remarkably. Combination type for every municipalities was determined with the standard value A method, and complemented examination of agricultural diversity

An Assessment of the Southeastern Anatolia Region in Turkey in terms of the Sustainable Development Tatgets

This study aims to examine the Southeastern Anatolia Project in Turkey, which contains irrigation, energy and drinking water development schemes. The project is the biggest regional development effort ever undertaken by Turkish Government and has influenced the sustainable economic and human development targets. With the completion of each step of the project, it has been expected that there have been many important economic and social changes in Turkish regions, especially the southeast part of Turkey (called as "Southeastern Anatolia Region") and its surrounding areas. The project also interests in both Turkey and its related regions and sustainability is a major issue of concern. Following a brief introduction of the project, the paper examines the type of recent social-economic changes in the region and Turkey in terms of sustainable development components. Under the light of our investigations from different perspectives, it is observed that GAP region with its development project is very far from expectations in the point of sustainability

Rows-of-houses Preservation in Maniwa City of Katsuyama Area, Okayama Prefecture

The aim of the study is to explain the present condition of the rows-of-houses preservation policy of Okayama Prefecture and to examine the samples in Maniwa city, Katsuyama area. Besides, the interview investigation was mainly conducted for residents in the rows-of-houses of preservation area in Katsuyama for giving the concluding remarks about the findings. The traditional private houses in Katsuyama preservation area were partially restored in the 1985-89 and 1993-97 fiscal years by the subsidy from the prefecture. Furthermore, Katsuyamacho at that time founded the subsidy system for maintaining rows-of-houses preservation area (about 25.3 ha) independently in 1993, restored 9 private houses, and made and updated the shop curtains; "Noren". In the point of the observable items, the ground warehouse of structures with gable tile-roofing is visible and it is also in use. Moreover, a latticed window structure, a white wall, and a sea cucumber wall constitute the charm of new rows-of-houses. A stone pavement follows on the riverside at the site facing the Asahi River. There are the remains of an arrival-and-departure place of a flat boat and a brewery, etc. According to our investigation in 2002, the residents were satisfied with "It is easy to live quietly", "the beauty of a natural landscape", "harmony of rows-of-houses and a shop curtain", and "a historical atmosphere", but the recognition of "the creation of active rows-of-houses" was unexpectedly low. Therefore, cooperation between residents and informational sharing are much more required. Consequently, since both the visitors and the residents are satisfied very much with each facilities, such as the whole rows-of-houses, a samurai residence, a brewery, and a restaurant etc., town planning is well organized and attained the priority targets

Production and Shipment of Eggplant in Okayama Prefecture Focusing on the Eggplant Cultivation in Greenhouse in the 7th Division of the Kojima Bay Reclaimed Land

　The main purpose of this study is to explain the production and shipment of eggplant and the management of farm households in the 7th division of the Kojima bay reclaimed land in Okayama prefecture. 10 pioneers began to cultivate eggplant in a greenhouse in 1969 and the number of farm households, acreage and shipment increased dramatically until the early 1980s. However, decline or stagnation trend has continued thereafter. Farm workers are often 50 years old or more, each farmer has cultivated eggplant, rice, two-rowed malting barley in family management by 2 or 3 persons. Work begins in July. Eggplant seedlings are planted in August, harvest begins in October and heating in November. Pest control is necessary throughout the year, but pesticide use has decreased in recent years. In order to suppress the occur -rence of the pests, workers use both the bunker crops like sesame and natural enemies like Amblyseius swirskii . However, because the prices of agricultural materials and fuel are recently soaring, the farm management of eggplant has become increasingly severe. We propose to expand the sales network by advertising and a more aggressive acceptance of new farmers

The Landscape and Sightseeing of Bittchu-Kokubunji Based on the Viewpoints of Tourists and Local Residents

In this paper, we examined the landscape and sightseeing at Bittchu-Kokubunji in Okayama prefecture carrying out the questionnaire survey to tourists and local residents. Both tourists and local residents estimate that the landscape ofBittchu-Kokubunji is wonderful, and it has several images such as historical, quiet, and old-fashioned, etc. AlthoughBittchu-Kokubunji is one of the famous tourist resorts in Okayama prefecture, there are quite few tourists compared with the degree of notability. Almost all tourists' age was 50 or more. As more active sightseeing activities, the number of times of holding events, such as an announcement of traditional performing arts, lighting of a five-storied pagoda, photograph or a sketching convention, needs to be increased. An attractive tourist resort should be created by the cooperation of local residents and administration