Fieldwork in Shiramine (Kaga Sato-yama Course)

 On August 10th and 11th, 11 second-year SG course students joined the fieldwork in Shiramine area, Hakusan city.

On the first day, they visited Awazu plant of KOMATSU, a construction machinery company, and learned the business doctrine of it.  Also, people who were members of Hakusan-Shiramine-Makinokai and the mayor of Shiramine ward told us about the present situation and problems in Shiramine area.  On the Second day, each group researched their theme by interviewing local people and visiting several facilities.  People from Promotion Conference of Mt. Hakusan and Tedori River Geo-Park, the Conference of Shiramine Town Planning, and other concerned agencies helped them.

The students learned the unique culture which has developed in areas in the mountains near Mt. Hakusan, and thought about problems caused by depopulation or annexation of municipalities.  Their view was broadened and they considered the social problems Shiramine areas faced.

[the participants’ comments]

＊I thought the Awazu plant of KOMATSU was fascinating because employees made decisions considering the future.  They checked their goods again and again to improve the quality of their goods, and they contributed to the environment and local society.

＊It was a good point in Shiramine that mainly young people tried to realize revitalization in spite of depopulation and aging population with the birthrate of the community declining.

＊Vacant houses rot.  However, if someone lived in these houses, we wouldn’t have to break down these houses, and we could stop the dilapidation of the houses.

＊I heard about Geo-Park and Eco-Park in Hakusan city.  At Geo-park in Hakusan, the officers protected the bio-diversity of the environment, and they made good use of the environment for sightseeing.