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 Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Meio University, was born on the island of Okinawa. He received his Ph.D in Economics from the University of Nebraska. Since then, Kakazu has served as Visiting Research Fellow and Professor to the London School of Economics, the East-West Center (Fulbrighter), the University of Hawaii, the University of the Philippines (Japan Foundation) and others. He has also worked in positions as Economist of the Asian Development Bank, Professor and Dean of the International University of Japan, Professor and Chairman of the Graduate School of International Development at Nagoya University, Vice Governor (CEO) of the Okinawa Development Finance Corporation, Professor of the Colleges of Bioresources and Business Schools at Nihon University, Vice President of the University of the Ryukyus and Vice President of the Temple University of Japan Campus. He is the co-founder of the International Small Islands Studies Association (ISISA), Vice President of the International Scientifi c Council for Island Development (UNESCO-INSULA), Emeritus President of the Japan Society of Island Studies, and a member of the UNESCO panel of Experts on Culture and Tourism. He has served on various governmental panels including the Okinawa Development Promotion Council (currently Vice Chairman appointed by Prime Minister). Nissology (island study) is his lifework. Recent publication of books includes Island Sustainability: Challenges and Opportunities for the Pacifi c Islands in a Globalized World (Traff ord Publishing, Canada, 2009), Growth Triangles in Asia (co-editor, Oxford University Press, 1998), Th e Structure of Okinawa’s Economy (Nagoya University, 1997), Problems and Prospects of Asiatic Patterns of Development: Lessons of ADB’s Th irty Years’ of Experiences (Nagoya University Press, 1997, Th e 10th Asia-Pacifi c Award), Crossborder Growth Triangles in Asia (Oriental Economist, 1995), Sustainable Development of Small Island Economies (Westview Press, 1994) and Island Economies (Hirugisha, 1985). In addition to the above listed books, he authored more than 100 articles on the Asia-Pacifi c economies for various academic journals.