JIU Josai International University
Faculty Department
2025.07.16
Students working on maintaining the area around the yatsuda rice fields
Processing wood for maintenance
Professor Kunitake Yoko and her students from the Department of Department of Management Sciences of Faculty of Management and Information Sciences, have been working with the Sanmu City Tourism Association to start an environmental conservation initiative this year called "Revitalizing the Charm of the Area by Utilizing Valley Rice Fields Where Fireflies Can Live," which aims to develop valley rice fields and waterways so that people can enjoy watching fireflies in the Satoyama area of Hayafune, Sanmu City.
The Satoyama in the Hayafune area of Sanmu City was beautiful and carefully maintained until around the 1950s, but due to the setbacks in development plans and the aging of forest managers, it gradually fell into disuse. In addition, about 10 years ago, paddy fields were abandoned, and roads were built that separated the valley rice fields from the forest, causing the rice fields to dry out and threatening the habitat of living creatures by cutting off the connection between the forest and the forest. The forest area has been maintained by local people for many years and is now well-maintained, but the water sources in the valley rice fields have almost completely disappeared.
Professor Kunitake has been conducting biological surveys with his students for the past 13 years, and has revealed that fireflies such as the Genji firefly, Heike firefly, and Kuromadobata firefly, as well as many other aquatic organisms, live in the area. However, he has sounded the alarm that many of the organisms will disappear if things continue as they are.
This project was initiated by the Sanmu City Tourism Association and the Sanmu Action Museum with the aim of "improving the Satoyama forest, increasing the number of fireflies, and promoting ecotourism that makes use of the natural environment of the Hayafune area," and was made possible with the cooperation of Professor Kunitake and students.
This initiative is being carried out in collaboration with the Kunitake Seminar and the "Regional Studies Co-Creation Project," a core course common to all faculties.
Professor Kunitake (left) and students working on waterway construction
Waterway under construction
In May and June, we carried out work to improve the Satoyama, building waterways to provide a habitat for fireflies and wooden paths to make it easier for people coming to the viewing event to walk. On July 6th, 50 members of the public participated in the viewing event, which was held by the Sanmu City Tourism Association. On the day, 10 students participated and supported the operation of the event, such as helping with reception and guiding people to the venue. There was also a lecture by Professor Kunitake on the ecology of fireflies, which the participants listened to with great interest.
The efforts of the local people and students paid off, and on the day of the observation event, we were able to see fireflies flying around, flashing their gentle lights. We will continue to work towards resolving local issues, not just improving the environment, but also protecting the precious nature of the surrounding area.
Professor Kunitake (right) giving a lecture on fireflies at a viewing event
The Yatsuda rice fields on the day of the viewing event