Summer Workshop
Question and Answer Session
Q: I was a classmate of Mr. ABE and am also from Kabanosawa, Shiozawa. I am involved in a group that carries out green tourism programs for people from the city. Now, there are almost no rivers that have not had their banks repaired. One can no longer see killifish, Japanese bitterling, or fresh water mussels. If you know of any examples of communities that have environmentally friendly river construction that places importance on river life, could you please tell me?
Mr. Abe: The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries along with the Environment Ministry have collaborated to work on wildlife surveys in rural areas as well as in rice paddies and are working to restore species, here and there. The Advice Center for Rural Environment Support is keeping track of all of the data. I think it would be great if you could participate.
Q: In Niigata Pref., the Slow Food movement has developed mainly around Niigata city's manufacturers and souvenir shops and seems focused on creating added value for goods. What is your opinion about this?
Mr. Abe: The Slow Food movement is said to have started in Italy, but I think Japanese food itself is slow food. Along with economic growth and the emergence of women in society, consumption of processed foods and franchise restaurant meals has increased. We know that fast foods have adverse effects on our health. I think that Slow Food is a part of this overall movement. The flowering fern that participants of World Schoolﾕs Workshop will eat tonight is preserved and consumed right here Shiozawa. Preparation of that is long and hard. Lately, Slow Food is receiving a lot of attention but many people's attention is captured by merely the food and they make light the connections between the local land and foods they create. Choosing Uonuma foods will lead to the community's sustainability over time. I think it is important that consumers are able to see the laborious processes involved and for producers and consumers to communicate closely so all can see the community.
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