Published Papers - Aiba Soshi

Role of an Eco-tour Guide Certification System in SustainableEcotourism on Amami-Oshima Island, Japan

Aiba Soshi, Zada Sayed Abdullah Waez, Harada Kazuhiro

Journal of Forest Planning ( Japan Society of Forest Planning )  31   1 - 11   2025.04 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

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Although the goal of ecotourism is to balance tourism with environmental conservation, there are concerns regarding the excessive promotion of tourism. One measure to prevent excessive use is to certify tourism operators. However, certification is inconsistent with regional autonomy, and because it is a voluntary initiative, there may be limitations in its scope. Accordingly, we conducted a case study of a certified eco-tour guide system for Amami-Oshima Island in Japan to determine whether a certification system for eco-tour guides would promote the appropriate use of the environment. This study included interviews with stakeholders and a questionnaire survey administered to certified guides. To obtain certification, guides must complete a training course and possess guide experience. In addition to securing work, the guides also obtained certifications to improve their quality. Guides work at a higher frequency than in other areas. However, concerns arose because of the lack of penalties for self-regulation agreed upon by the Council and the presence of unqualified guides. We conclude that penalties and legal systems should be introduced for malicious cases. In addition, discussions of use regulations should involve both guides and residents in the negotiation process, and a third-party organization should be engaged to provide accreditation, ensuring that the impact of regulations is properly assessed.

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Seasonal and interspecific variations in the water uptake depth of trees in a moist cool-temperate mixed forest in Japan

Katsuura Hiiragi, Naoko Matsuo, Soshi Aiba, Michiko Nakagawa

Journal of Forest Research     2024.09 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

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Current Status of Forest Management and Stakeholder Relations in Kotohira-gu Shrine, Kagawa Prefecture

Aiba Soshi, Nishikado Saki, Harada Kazuhiro

Applied Forest Science ( The Society of Applied Forest Science )  32 ( 1 ) 3 - 9   2023.07 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

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This study focused on the current status of forest management and the involvement of stakeholders in shrines, using Kotohira-gu shrine in Kagawa Prefecture as a case study. During the Edo period, Konpira temple (now known as Kotohira-gu shrine) managed and regulated forest use. The forest was maintained as shrine property throughout the Meiji and Showa periods, and the shrine's forestry department conducted regular patrols and management of the area. However, the number of staff involved in forest management had been decreasing due to the downsizing of the shrine organization in recent years. Governments relied on the owner (shrine) for forest management policies, so the shrine had hoped for support from them. The majority of the local residents agreed that forests should be managed as necessary and few suggested that shrines or government should take the initiative in managing the forests. On the other hand, some respondents did not specify the entity that promotes management. Further research revealed that interest in the Kotohira-gu shrine itself was not low, it did not extend to an interest in the forest. The above-mentioned information led to the conclusion that shrine forests have been neglected because the key actors in forest administration lack visibility. Raising public awareness of forests through the related institution would be effective in eliminating the neglect of forests.

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The Current Status of Oshima Tsumugi Production as a Regional Resource and Efforts toward its Survival: A Case of Amami Oshima Island, Japan

AIBA Soshi, HARADA Kazuhiro

Papers on Environmental Information Science ( Center for Environmental Information Science )  ceis36   185 - 190   2022.11 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (other science council materials etc.)

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Efforts to conserve regional resources were examined using Oshima Tsumugi produced on Amami Oshima and its dye, <i>Rhaphiolepis umbellata</i>, as examples. Although the production of Oshima tsumugi was prosperous until the 1980s, the production volume has been declining due to sluggish demand for Japanese-style clothing and the lack of an entity to control the production area. The survey also revealed that the planting of <i>Rhaphiolepis umbellata</i> has not been successful due to a lack of uniformity. In response to the decline in production in recent years, the council established by pongee operators and local government officials to train the craftspeople.

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A Study on Collaboration Activities with NPOs : A Case Study of Execution Committee and Volunteers of Osu Street Performers Festival

AIBA, Soshi

  14   21 - 29   2021.03 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

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The purpose of this paper is to clarify the elements necessary for cooperation activities with non-profit organizations, as an example of cooperation between Execution Committee and Volunteers of Osu Street Performers Festival. In this case, two organizations with different purposes were collaborating with the “Street Performers Festival" as a common point, and the autonomy of both parties was maintained. In addition, Volunteers had gained autonomy in conjunction with expanding its scale, but the opportunities for communication with the executive committee have decreased. Autonomy and communication, however, should not be a trade-off, but both should be satisfied. Also, structures of non-profit organizations tend to be fluid, changes in autonomy and communication should be focused in long term.

Current Status, Attitude, and Issues around Preserved Tree Systems, Identified through Surveying the Operators Managing the Trees

Aiba Soshi, Harada Kazuhiro

Journal of Forest Planning ( Japan Society of Forest Planning )  27   11 - 25   2021

Type of publication: Research paper (other science council materials etc.)

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The "preserved tree system" and "preserved forest system" aim to preserve trees and forests in cities in Japan, and are operated by local governments. We conducted a questionnaire of the operators of the preserved tree system to examine their awareness of the systems in Nagoya (215 operators) and Shizuoka (60 operators), and clarified the relationships among operators, local governments, and community residents not involved in tree management. Questionnaires were returned by 117 (Nagoya) and 30 (Shizuoka) operators. The results were as follows: 1) Although local governments and operators agreed on the goals of the system (green preservation, improving aesthetic appeal, and preservation of trees with historical and cultural value), there were concerns over the associated costs and economic burden faced by the management; 2) There was a risk of conflict between the operators and community residents because calls for preservation by neighboring residents increased when operators stopped tree management. For sustainable preservation of designated trees in the local environment, promotion of cooperation between community residents and operators is crucial.

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Examination into Shinboku (Sacred Trees) in Nagoya and Shizuoka

Aiba Soshi, Harada Kazuhiro

Chubu Forestry Research ( Chubu Forestry Society )  67   67 - 70   2019.05 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

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