Making the Most of our Natural Resources, the Envy of the World SHINOHARA Takashi

From [Reviving the Primary Industries: the Century of Forest, Water, and Soil], published from Diamond-sha

Japan is blessed with rich natural resources.

Most Japanese would laugh at such an assertion. It is a commonly accepted notion that Japan lacks natural resources such as oil and mineral. However, Japan possesses abundant natural resources that oil rich Arab countries would envy.

You may wonder what resources I am talking about. I am talking about the mild climate, rich soil, abundant water, and the mountains covered with lush greenery fostered by these conditions. These are the natural resources that make the people of those desert countries envious. These are the resources they want at any cost. In desert countries, greenery is so precious that the color of green is used in their national flags. Soil and water, renewable and plentiful, are the resources that nourish people. Oil, on the other hand, is a finite resource which will run out and requires careful management to make it last.

Most Japanese would think of only mineral resources when they think about natural resources. However, water, sunlight, and soil are also important natural resources. While the mineral resources are finite and will eventually run out, water, sunlight and soil are recyclable resources that benefit us forever, as long as we take care of them properly.

In the past, Japan invaded countries abroad to obtain land to get both types of natural resources, lost badly in the end, and had to retreat back to the confines of small Japanese Islands. Then Japan found a clever way to make a living by manufacturing and trade, achieved long lasting economic growth to become an economic giant, which made the world envious. As a result, Japanese exports flood the world, giving an impression reminiscent of the invasions of the past, and stirring up some negative feelings. It is not a course we can continue. We have to look at some alternatives. We may well be forced to retreat and to rely more on our own resources.

To prepare for the 21st century, it is important to reexamine our resources at hand. Sulfur, coal, and gravel are the only mineral resources of any significance that Japan has. Japan is well qualified to be called a resource poor country. On the other hand, Japan is a very resource rich country when it comes to the so called biological resources, such as water, soil, sunlight, forests, plants, and sea. Compared to big countries, the land area is substantially small, but it is comparable to that of EU countries. The area of land alone, however, does not tell the whole story. You need to look at the climate and the wealth the nature provides.

Japan is blessed with rich natural resources that are the envy of the world. Unlike oil or mineral resources, the natural resources we have are the kind that never run out. I would like to see us preserve and revive the industries that take advantage of those resources we have in abundance. That is the theme of this article.

SHINOHARA Takashi1948, born in Nagano prefecture. 1973, graduated from Kyoto University, Department of Law. Joined Ministry of Agriculture and forestry. 76 to 77, Studied at Washington University and Kansas State University in US. 89, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishery, Economic Affairs Bureau, International Affairs Department, International Policy Coordination section chief. 91 to 94, OECD Japanese government mission councilor (Paris). Since September 94, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishery, Fishery Agency, head of Planning. Major Publications (in Japanese): [Toward Agriculture based small Japan], Sorin-sha, 1995. [Reexamination of Food and Agriculture], Noson Tokei Kyokai (Association of Agricultural Community Statistics), 1984. [A Hillbilly Bureaucrat of Kasumigaseki Goes Back County Universities in America], Kashiwa-shobo, 1983. [The 21 Century is for Japanese Style Agriculture -- American Style Agriculture will not last] co-authored for [The ! Stars and Stripes Behind Gluttony], Ienohikari-kyokai, 1982.

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