The concept of “Satoyama,” originating from Japan, refers to the landscapes surrounding rural settlements (“Sato”), reflecting a sustainable model of local development based on the close interdependence between humans and nature. It gained international recognition at the 2010 United Nations Conference on Biological Diversity and has since evolved into local action through the Satoyama Initiative. In recent years, several University Social Responsibility (USR) projects at National Chengchi University (NCCU) have engaged with this concept, bringing innovative meaning to both academic research and social practice. On August 28, NCCU's USR project, “Implementing the Satoyama Economy through Holistic Rural Planning,” and the Center for the Study of Satoyama at Ryukoku University in Japan jointly held a research workshop on Satoyama studies, fostering a cross-national, interdisciplinary exchange of ideas and practices between Taiwan and Japan.
The joint research event included participants from several NCCU USR projects: Professor Chih-Yu Jan (Vice President and College of Education), Professor Shin-Shih Wang (Department of Economics), Professor Hsiu-Hsiung Tai (Department of Land Economics), Professor Ta-Wei Kuan (Department of Ethnology), Professor Yi-Hsuan Chen (Master’s Program in Indigenous Land Policy and Environmental Planning), and Professor Ming-Chih Lee (Department of Land Economics). The Japanese participants were from the Center for the Study of Satoyama: Professor Takehito Tanigaki (Director, Faculty of Policy Studies), Professor Mahoro Murasawa (Faculty of Sociology), Professor Kosei Nakagawa (Faculty of Science and Engineering), Professor Hironori Date (Faculty of Economics), and Professor Yoshimitsu Yoshioka (Faculty of Law). The workshop was also supported by the interpretation of researcher Kim Hongmi (Faculty of Policy Studies) from Ryukoku University and the participation of other project members.
The event opened with remarks by Vice President Chih-Yu Jan, who began by discussing commonalities in the development of Satoyama studies in Taiwan and Japan. He emphasized that Japan’s long-standing experience in local development and policy could serve as a valuable reference for Taiwan, and linked NCCU's USR initiatives directly with the Satoyama concept. Professor Takehito Tanigaki then introduced the history of the Center for the Study of Satoyama, outlining how Japan’s policy evolution and rural experience contributed to the development of Satoyama as a multidisciplinary field. Building on this, Professor Mahoro Murasawa discussed the center’s achievements and challenges to date. In response to the increasing importance of multi-actor networks across nature, society, and culture, the center has been developing interdisciplinary research approaches to address local development issues and is now seeking to offer concrete policy directions based on academic foundations.
Professor Hsiu-Hsiung Tai added that the differences between Taiwan and Japan begin with distinct local challenges. In some rural areas of Taiwan, gaps in infrastructure have made spatial planning a necessary foundation for economic and industrial development. Thus, NCCU has approached these challenges through its USR projects, applying academic expertise to practical issues. In response, Professor Yoshimitsu Yoshioka shared insights into Japan’s unique local systems, particularly the concept of “iriai rights” (common usage rights) in Satoyama areas. He explained that these systems, which rely on communal resource access, reflect collective governance and action but have undergone significant transformation under modernization, market economies, and forest policies—often leading to conflict with contemporary systems and social values.
Professor Yi-Hsuan Chen gave an overview of the institutional evolution of “Indigenous Reserved Land,” tracing its origins from the ethnic classification and forest policies of the Japanese colonial period, through the loss of land divisions during the Nationalist government era, and into recent years of dialogue and cooperation between Indigenous communities and government agencies. Professor Kosei Nakagawa shared findings from his research on the governance of the Yodogawa River system, using empirical data to propose reflections and recommendations for national land development and water resource management policies.
Drawing on concrete examples, Professor Ta-Wei Kuan discussed his recent efforts in promoting Indigenous knowledge research, highlighting a key difference between Taiwan and Japan: the ecological practices and knowledge of Taiwan’s Indigenous peoples can offer valuable insights to Satoyama studies. In response, Professor Hironori Date emphasized the concept of “nature’s diverse values,” arguing that existing policy frameworks and academic perspectives may overlook differences in local lifestyles and value systems. He advocated for incorporating natural values and ecological responsibility into economic evaluation models and called for reforms to modern legal and institutional structures.
Through this workshop, both Taiwanese and Japanese participants gained valuable insights. Professors from Ryukoku University expressed particular interest in the construction and application of Indigenous knowledge, acknowledging its strong connection with local Satoyama visions in Taiwan. NCCU faculty, from a social responsibility perspective, also expressed hope for future cooperation in USR projects. It is anticipated that under the banner of “Satoyama Studies,” both sides will continue to deepen academic and social engagement.
