Nature conservation policies of self governing communities in Hokushin area, Nagano prefecture [Japan]

The purpose of this study is to seize the present policies of nature conservation by using two materials: regulations and self government communities' plans. Regulations show the present idea toward nature conservation by self government communities. Self government communities' plans indicate the direction in these communities. I have chosen self government communities in Hokushin area as a case study. In addition to the regulations and the plans, I interviewed people in charge of environmental policies in these self government communities. Some self government communities have the regulations with regard to nature conservation. Regulations for nature conservation are founds in the following self government communities; Mure village (1990), Kijimadaira village (1990), Sakae village (1990), Nakano city (1990), Toyota village (1991), Togakushi village (1991), and Tyono town (1995). Moreover the following four self government communities have regulations with regard to conservation of underground water; Nozawaonsen village (1984), Nagano city (1984), Suzaka city (1984), and Shinano town (1991). On self government communities' plans, many self government communities include nature conservation plans into living environmental policies and put the low priority. And these plans are classified into seven groups; (1) spiritual uplift of nature conservation, (2) preparation or reconsideration of regulations, (3) investigation of designated nature conservation areas,(4) conservation of wild animals and plants, (5) research of nature conservation, (6) coping with restoration of nature environment, and (7) maintenance of related institutions. I need to investigate the background of the regulations next. I also have to verify if the plans are actually enforced. Besides, the other self government communities should be compared with Hokushin area from the same point of the above mentioned views.