On Wednesday, February 11, Landscape Research Center signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) regarding academic and educational exchanges with the Institute for Island Culture and Island Economic Research at Mokpo National University (South Korea).
The signing ceremony was held at the university in Mokpo, a port city in South Jeolla Province, South Korea. The center was represented by Director Sanpei Yamashita (Professor, Department Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering Faculty Department of Civil and Urban Design Engineering) and external researcher Koichi Nakama (Representative Director, Regional Interpretation Association). The signing ceremony was held between Director Yamashita and Director Park Seong-hyun of the Island Economic Research Center, which was established on the same day.
An international symposium was also held after the signing ceremony to commemorate the establishment of the Island Economic Research Center. At the symposium, two representatives from the Korean side, including Center Director Park, reported on the current situation in their country's island regions. On the Japanese side, Director Yamashita and Nakama discussed the challenges and solutions for sustainable regional development, using the example of Ukujima, a remote island in Sasebo City where a large-scale mega-solar project is underway. The subsequent panel discussion, joined by cultural anthropology researchers and local assembly members, provided a multifaceted discussion on the issues facing remote islands in both Japan and Korea.
Based on this MOU, we plan to actively promote exchanges among a wide range of people, including researchers, practitioners, and students from both centers.
[Landscape Research Center]
