著者

横山 智 YOKOYAMA Satoshi

出版者

岩波書店

雑誌

科学 (ISSN:00227625)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.88, no.12, pp.1228-1234, 2018-12

著者

NGOC Nguyen Thi Hong YOKOYAMA Satoshi

出版者

The Association of Japanese Geographers

雑誌

Geographical review of Japan series B (ISSN:18834396)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.91, no.2, pp.40-53, 2018-12-28 (Released:2018-12-28)

参考文献数

35

被引用文献数

1

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Maize is the most important cash crop in Vietnam’s northern mountainous region. It is credited with eradicating hunger and alleviating poverty. However, the continuous decreasing trend in the global maize price since 2013 has resulted in various socioeconomic problems. Yen Chau district follows a cultivation regime of annually changing maize varieties. This goes against the objectives of national test procedures for new seed. This study aimed to establish whether the annually changing seed cultivation regime is the consequence of the fierce competition between seed enterprises. We found that the maize trading structure is centered on a three-level trader network that plays a crucial role in connecting stakeholders. Strong social relationships along with weak credit/production commitments between farmers and traders have facilitated maize production throughout the region. Seed and supply enterprises target traders to promote their products and are the most important information channel for farmers. This study’s findings suggest that seed selection in Yen Chau has no scientific basis but is the result of market factors.

著者

INGXAY Phanxay HIROTA Isao YOKOYAMA Satoshi

出版者

The Association of Japanese Geographers

雑誌

Geographical review of Japan series B (ISSN:18834396)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.87, no.2, pp.131-145, 2015 (Released:2015-07-04)

参考文献数

44

被引用文献数

1 5

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This study examines the effects of a climate event on livelihood assets of households in upland northern Laos, when the early onset of the rainy season as a result of climate change led to a failure to burn swidden systems. A Sustainable Livelihoods Framework is applied to estimate rural livelihood assets associated with differences in climate conditions, such as the 2010 normal climate and the 2011 climate event, and to compare household strategies in each climate condition. The findings indicate that natural capital had the highest index value in the 2010 normal climate, whereas human capital had the highest value in the 2011 climate event. Financial capital had the lowest index in both climate conditions. Residents at the research site were better off in terms of natural capital but worse off in terms of financial capital. This indicates that the government and other rural development agencies should not only manage natural resources; income-generation activities are also needed. We conclude that natural resources, as well as non-timber forest product (NTFP) gathering and off-farm activity, were the most important strategies for the entire research site under the normal climate condition. NTFP gathering and outside work are important in meeting subsistence needs and augmenting income levels in households when the rainy season begins early as a result of climate change. Outside employment was an additional strategy in households to achieve their livelihood goals, including food security and household income generation, under conditions of economic change and climate events.

著者

YOKOYAMA Satoshi

出版者

The Association of Japanese Geographers

雑誌

Geographical review of Japan series B (ISSN:18834396)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.86, no.1, pp.62-74, 2013-07-30 (Released:2013-07-31)

参考文献数

129

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This article reviewes the research trends in Nature and Society Studies authored by Japanese geographers, which have appeared in academic journals in the geography field in Japan from the 1980s onwards; these are organized into three categories, “land-use and subsistence activities,” “biological resources and subsistence activities” and “the environment and resources.” In two of the categories of “land-use and subsistence activities” and “biological resources and subsistence activities,” there has been substantial research conducted which deals with cases in developing countries. Yet, research on domestic activities in Japan where significant economic development has already been achieved remains scarce. The reason for this seems to be that research dealing with domestic agriculture, forestry, livestock and fishery conducted from the geographical perspective has not emphasized the subsistence aspect of these activities but rather these were considered as a part of industries. Accordingly, the majority of research in these areas is conducted from the perspective of economic geography. In regards to the research on “the environment and resources,” it became evident that Nature and Society Studies has not yet determined what type of approach should be taken to analyze the environment/resource use and environmental perception. The Nature and Society Study Group represents a new field in Japanese geography but its significance for research on human–nature interactions has gradually come to be recognized in the community of Japanese geographers through various activities including symposiums. Preparing for and coping with natural hazards, the environment and development, sustainable resource use, environmental change and survival are all the targets of Nature and Society Studies, and research in these areas is expected to develop in the future.