A Study on Area Management through the Promotion Council to Utilize Disaster Wreckage for Regional Development after Volcanic Disaster Recovery - Case Study of the Toya Caldera and Usu Volcano Global Geopark in Japan -
In order to mitigate damage from natural disasters and restore impoverished economies to health, it is necessary to establish a system based on a public-private partnership to provide education on disaster prevention and to promote tourism so that people can learn about and experience the ferocity of nature and the history of disasters. Geoparks are establishing such a system through a “promotion council” in Japan. This study aims to utilize disaster wreckage for education on disaster prevention and for tourism promotion by building a network of disaster wreckage and a promotion council that will carry out geopark activities. This initiative is referred to as “area management through the Promotion Council.” This study aims to clarify the purpose of the Promotion Council, as well as its role and management method, in utilizing the disaster wreckage for regional development through geopark activities based on public-private partnership in stricken areas after recovering from a volcanic disaster. It identifies the benefits of providing education on disaster prevention and promoting tourism through the Promotion Council and also identifies issues to be addressed when multiple local governments plan and implement wide-ranging area management. The study covers the Toya Caldera and Usu Volcano Global Geopark Promotion Council in Japan. In addition to university researchers, this council comprises representatives from four local governments, a prefectural government, two ministries, tourism associations, private companies and citizen groups. The study involved a review of relevant literature followed by interviews with local government officers, researchers, and representatives of citizen groups, as well as visits to related sites for direct observations. The results of the field studies are as follows: 1) Taking into account changes in the relationship between public and private sectors, the purpose of the Promotion Council is to create a new communities contributing to the sustainable development of areas affected by disaster. 2) Taking the relationship among universities, citizen groups, private companies, and local governments and the Promotion Council into consideration, the role of the Promotion Council is to utilize the disaster wreckage and museums for education on disaster prevention and tourism promotion, coordinate with local governments and citizen groups, and form a system for the public/private sector partnership. 3) Based on income and expenditure reports included in the general-assembly materials, it can be seen the management method of the Promotion Council is to secure stable financial resources supported by public funds. The benefit of planning education on disaster prevention and promoting tourism through the Promotion Council is the forming of close partnerships between local governments, universities, private companies, and citizen groups. When several local governments plan and implement wide-ranging area management, the prefectural government is to establish the direction of the recovery plan and to be involved in the establishment of the Council. The Promotion Council is set up by local governments and citizens to find stable resources supported by public funds.
Regional Development in Itoigawa Geopark
Geopark is a beneficial tool for regional development that makes use of characteristic natural and cultural resources, such as landform, rocks, animals, and plants, as well as human history, culture, and traditions in an area. Geopark as a system includes promoting regional development based on integrating three fundamental elements of geopark activity, i.e., conservation, education, and geotourism. Itoigawa Geopark was designated a member of the Global Geopark Network with assistance from UNESCO on 22 August 2009. Itoigawa is a small city with a population of about 48,000 located on the coast of the Japan Sea close to mountains. Following its recognition, the citizens of Itoigawa became aware of the international excellence of the nature and culture of the city and developed pride in their hometown. Consequently, work began to construct a new community by promoting the region based on the geopark system. The awareness of the citizens generated the spontaneous ideas and actions needed to construct a comfortable life with good health, education, and economy in the city. Local governments, such as those of cities, towns, and villages, especially in rural areas, have been looking for ways to promote their regions because of Japan's weak economy over the past twenty years. The geopark is expected to be a useful tool for achieving significant regional development in rural areas.
Natural history and long‐term evolution in families with autosomal dominant cortical tremor, myoclonus, and epilepsy
Purpose:  To investigate for the first time the natural history and long‐term evolution of “familial cortical tremor, myoclonus, and epilepsy.”