Balancing Development and Conservation in the Amami Islands

The Amami Islands, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site since 2021, face complex challenges in reconciling economic development with environmental and cultural preservation. My recent fieldwork in Amami Oshima is pointing at some emerging themes, focusing on tensions between growth and conservation, the dual impact of UNESCO designation, and the role of community agency in shaping sustainable futures.

The Asian Conference on Cultural Studies, Tokyo May 2025: "The Impact of UNESCO World Heritage Sites on the Communicative Ecology of Small Tourist Island Communities: Reflections from Amami Oshima

1. Conflict Between Development and Conservation 

A central tension across interviews is the clash between economic priorities and ecological preservation. Local communities often prioritize short-term financial gains from public works and tourism over conservation, exemplified by opposition to protecting endangered species like the Amami rabbit. This conflict is exacerbated by historical dependence on subsidies and infrastructure projects, which entrenches resistance to conservation-oriented policies. The Denpaku hotel development and the Change.org petition against a 12-story hotel in Setta Village further illustrate grassroots resistance to top-down development perceived as threatening biodiversity, water resources, and cultural sanctity. Such cases reveal systemic governance failures, including legal loopholes that remove protected status from heritage areas, enabling unchecked construction.

2. UNESCO World Heritage Status: A Double-Edged Sword 

UNESCO designation has amplified global visibility and tourism, with visitor numbers are catching up with pre-pandemic levels. While this has boosted local pride and economic opportunities (e.g., new hotels, media coverage), interviews underscore risks of overtourism, ecosystem degradation, and cultural commodification. The designation’s emphasis on biodiversity initially failed due to low local awareness, prompting revised strategies that now prioritize education and community engagement. However, Okinawa’s overtourism serves as a cautionary tale, with Amami stakeholders advocating for “quality over quantity” tourism models to avoid similar pitfalls. The UNESCO brand also risks reducing Amami’s identity to a marketable “postcard,” as residents fear losing intangible heritage to globalized expectations.

"The future is threatened if we don’t protect nature. UNESCO is a double-edged sword—it can save the island or accelerate its destruction if mismanaged." — Tsuneda Mamoru

3. Sustainable Tourism and Community Agency 

Sustainable tourism emerges as a contested yet vital solution. Ecotourism initiatives, such as certified guide systems and “inconvenient but authentic” experiences, aim to balance economic benefits with ecological limits. The Denpaku hotel group exemplifies this through material reuse, solar energy, and cultural programs integrating tourists into local life. Conversely, mass tourism—driven by cruise ships and unchecked hotel development—threatens to strain infrastructure and erode communal tranquility. Grassroots efforts, like Kassari Village’s petition and Kuninao’s community-led rules, highlight the demand for participatory governance. Yet, challenges persist: staffing shortages, technological gaps (e.g., poor rural cell service), and generational divides (youth favoring economic growth vs. elders prioritizing preservation) complicate consensus-building.

4. Cultural Preservation Amid Globalization 

Cultural integrity is deeply intertwined with environmental stewardship. Amami FM’s resistance to commercializing shimauta (traditional songs) and efforts to use folklore (e.g., yōkai legends) for conservation reflect fears of cultural homogenization. Similarly, Denpaku’s “70/30 Rule” balances tradition with innovation, revitalizing crafts like Oshima Tsumugi textiles through modern applications. However, rising costs, land pressures, and external exploitation threaten these efforts. Media outlets like Amami FM play a dual role as educators and advocates, fostering local pride while navigating neutrality.

“We don’t want professional singers—shimauta is about life, not performance. Tourists should experience it as we do: together, not as spectators” - Kenko Fumoto, Amami FM

5. Institutional and Structural Barriers 

Political fragmentation and misaligned priorities hinder progress. The Amashin grant system, administered by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), funds conservation and tourism but overlaps ambiguously with Ministry of Environment (MoE) mandates. Local municipalities often lack resources to enforce protections, relying on voluntary rules (e.g., Kinsakubaru Forest access restrictions). Meanwhile, Okinawa’s focus on large-scale developments like “Junglia” contrasts with Amami’s smaller-scale ethos, underscoring disjointed regional coordination. Stakeholders critique top-down decision-making, as seen in the UNESCO Visitor Center’s exclusion of local input, advocating instead for inclusive frameworks that elevate community voices.

Striking a Balance

The Amami Islands’ struggle to harmonize development and conservation underscores broader global challenges in heritage management. Key lessons include the need for: 

1. Participatory Governance: Ensuring community-led decision-making to counter top-down development. 

2. Integrated Policies: Aligning funding mechanisms (e.g., Amashin grants) with conservation goals. 

3. Cultural-Ecological Synergy: Framing preservation as both moral duty and economic asset. 

4. Proactive Tourism Management: Implementing visitor caps and ecotourism certification to preempt overtourism. 

Future research should explore longitudinal impacts of UNESCO status and evaluate the efficacy of grassroots initiatives in fostering resilient, equitable growth. As one resident aptly noted, the choice remains whether Amami becomes a “postcard or a living home”—a balance demanding vigilance, innovation, and collective stewardship.

** With deep appreciation to Japan Foundation for providing the funding to conduct this new research; Kagoshima University International Center for Island Studies Research Amami Station for hosting me and supporting my research in the islands for the last 8 years; Professor Emeritus Sueo Kuwahara for his invaluable collaboration and continuous support over the years; and John Manolito Cantu for his research assistance.