Background
In the past, Kyushu University hosted the Decision Science Program, which had concluded an agreement with the City of Tsushima. Under this framework, faculty members, graduate students, and undergraduate students of Kyushu University conducting research in Tsushima were able to receive various forms of support for on-site surveys and activities. However, with the termination of the program, there arose a risk that this support system would be lost.
In response, it became necessary to establish a new framework for sustained exchange and collaboration between Kyushu University as a whole and the City of Tsushima. Consequently, the Strait Area SDGs Research Module was established as part of the Social Cluster of the Institute for Asian and Oceanian Studies, Kyushu University. Building on this foundation, the Strait Area SDGs Research initiative was also launched within the Research Center for Korean Studies as part of its efforts to develop into an interdisciplinary center integrating the humanities and sciences.
Objectives
The mission of this module is to conduct Japan–Korea comparative case studies that explore the conditions for good governance through addressing concrete practical challenges in the regions on both sides of the strait. The main areas of focus are:
(1) the collection and recycling of marine debris;
(2) the construction of a regional circular economy aimed at forest conservation, addressing depopulation-related challenges, and achieving decarbonization; and
(3) the development of sustainable tourism.
Specifically, the project aims to sustainably promote education, research, and social collaboration activities related to the SDGs in the strait area region, with Tsushima as a central field site. In particular, the Research Center for Korean Studies positions as a key objective of this project the systematic organization of Tsushima City’s diverse and pioneering SDGs initiatives and their dissemination and application as the “Tsushima Model” to Korea and other surrounding regions.
Members
Kaoru Izumi
Director, Research Center for Korean Studies /
Head, Strait Area SDGs Research Module, Social Cluster, Institute for Asian and Oceanian Studies, Kyushu University
Satoko Seino
Deputy Director, Research Center for Korean Studies /
Member, Strait Area SDGs Research Module, Social Cluster, Institute for Asian and Oceanian Studies, Kyushu University
Yuka Yamaguchi
Assistant Professor, Research Center for Korean Studies, Kyushu University
Priority Areas
This research project is intended to cover the full range of SDGs-related initiatives undertaken by the City of Tsushima, including issues of marine debris and marine environmental conservation. In particular, at the Tsushima Future Forum held last year, it was confirmed that a large-scale framework for addressing marine debris—supported by major corporations from outside the island—has been taking shape, prompted by the World Expo.
In light of these developments, the project will, for the time being, place particular emphasis on marine debris issues and marine environmental conservation, while gradually expanding its scope to other SDGs-related fields in the future.
For further details on the Strait Area SDGs Research Module of the Social Cluster, Institute for Asian and Oceanian Studies, Kyushu University, please click here.