Tokuron-1/IPADS Development Studies(2023)

Date 13:00-14:45 on April 21, 2023

Handout

Write one thing you found it most important in the April 14 lecture.

1. Land Improvement requires not only scientific knowledge, but also cooperation with local people and field surveys to understand the unique conditions of the land.
2. Land improvement projects plays a great role in the local economy.
3. The Knowledge I learned in today class that I thought important is when we consider with Land Improvement Projec, we need do make a reasonable question first and try to solve them.
4. "To see real fields by myself is most important."
5. I think the potential of fukushima repopulation requires a lot of planning and multiple research fields to work together to determine its safety and feasibility.
6. I learned that it was necessary to convince a lot of farmers to cooperate with their plan before making the canal. It is amazing that only two people set out to create the canal and that they were able to get the cooperation of so many people.
7. Tokyota is not just a car company
8. Fukushima is an important area for agricultural production in Japan. Thousands of local people make their living through this industry. Compared with the rebuilding home and industry chain, the hardest part is to reestablish people's confidence. It is a long way for both the local people and the whole of Japanese society to conquer this difficult issue.
9. The history of Aichi Prefecture, Japan
10. I was surprised at the fact that the time Aichi Canal was completed was more recent than I expected. When we heard of the Aichi Canal, I expected that the construction of the Aichi Canal had been completed in the Edo or Meiji period. However, I learned that the Aichi Canal was constructed in the late Showa period. It means that until only 60 years ago, people around the canal had suffered from drought. Today, we can enjoy free access to water, therefore, we have to appreciate our predecessors who had struggled with difficult construction.
11. It is important to consider the ecological aspect of agricultural engineering. The cost could be significant considering the environmental impact - loss of biodiversity, movement of species and potentially soil erosion etc. Of course, its positive aspects are the provision of water for irrigation, drinking and other purposes. The dam could also prevent flooding in surrounding areas.
12. From the lecture, the most important thing for me is the part about how influential the policy and the politics in helping the agricultural development itself. Finding out about the Land Improvement Law and its impact on Japan agriculture development was interesting and shows that its not only about technology and infrastructure issues but also there are lots of human dramas also.
13. Development projects are heavily interdisciplinary (economics, science, politics, etc.). There is a need to take into consideration several aspects such as the economic status, social conditions, ecological impacts, and many more in assessing the cost-benefits of a development project.
14. Large-scale infrastructure that is supported by technology is a key to major agricultural development in a region. When population is well-fed and not having worries about food, other industries will follow the steps.
15. The main problem that often faced on the process of doing life-changing things often is not the nature, but the human aspect. But with determination, convincing proposals/arguments, and taking everything into account, such thing is possible to realize.

Write questions if you have

1. What's the best way to solve the conflict between ecology and development？
2. How to rebirth the environment and freshwater resources in Fukushima.