Island Sustainability

About the Book

This book is devoted to island sustainability with a focus on the small island economies in the Pacific, especially islands of Okinawa located at the southwestern edge of Japan. It examines socio-economic characteristics, development issues, policies, networking of island societies, and the roles of culture, human resources, agriculture and tourism in a globalizing world. Okinawa, the birthplace of nissology (island studies in Greek), embraces all aspects of small, remote island characteristics, including geography, history, economy and culture. Okinawa hosted the third and fourth Pacific Leaders Meeting (PALM). PALM adopted “the Okinawa Initiative on Regional Development Strategies for a More Prosperous and Safer Pacific.” This initiative emphasized the important role of Okinawa in spearheading and coordinating development and educational relationships among the Pacific islands. Although the focus is on Okinawa, analytical methods and visions presented in this book will provide food for thought for many similar island societies which have been struggling to achieve toward sustainable development. Since the International Small Island Studies Association (ISISA) held its first meeting on Island of Okinawa, Nissology has been emerging as an important area of scientific investigation. The book is intended to appeal to students, academic researchers, policy makers and industry professionals and practitioners.

About the Author

Hiroshi Kakazu, currently a Vice President and Professor at the University of the Ryukyus, was born on the island of Okinawa. Dr. Kakazu studied at the University of Nebraska and the London School of Economics. He has also worked in positions as Economist of the Asian Development Bank, Professor and Dean of the International University of Japan, Professor of the Graduate School of International Development at Nagoya University, Vice Governor of the Okinawa Development Finance Corporation and Professor of Nihon University. He is the co-founder of the International Small Islands Studies Association (ISISA), Vice President of the International Scientific Council for Island Development (UNESCO-INSULA) and President of the Japan Society of Island Studies. He has served on various governmental panels including a member of the UNESCO Panel of Experts on Culture and Tourism and the Okinawa Development Promotion Council (currently Vice Chairman appointed by Prime Minister). He has authored more than 100 publications on the Asia Pacific economies, including Problems and Prospects of Asiatic Patterns of Development (Asia-Pacific Book Award, Nagoya University Press, 1997), Cross-border Growth Triangles in Asia (Oriental Economist, 1995) and Sustainable Development of Small Island Economies (Westview Press, 1994). (hkakazu@city-midorigaoka.com).