Creation of a leaflet that conveys Aogashima's appeal has begun!
Members of Aogashima's meeting have been considering how to deliver information to people interested in the island and convey the present situation on Aogashima when communication with visitors to the island has been limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since some of the meeting participants are affiliated with accommodation facilities and interact with tourists and visitors daily, these participants shared information on the recent state of tourism to the island and changes in the way communication is handled with visitors.
Basic preventative measures to control the spread of infectious diseases on the island, such as wearing masks, social distancing, and preventing crowding, are being practiced by island residents and visitors alike. However, there is still a sense of "reluctance among island residents to talk to people from outside the island, and visitors are likewise hesitant to interact with the island residents." It became clear that communication with visitors to the island has weakened due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prior to the pandemic, island residents had been able to share the fascinating aspects of Aogashima with visitors through direct encounters with them. However, with fewer and fewer opportunities for such encounters, members expressed the frustration that they have been unable to fully convey the island's attractions to visitors.
Because members had expressed these opinions, another discussion on Aogashima's attractions was held to figure out what kind of information could be communicated to the visitors in practice.
With a population of about 170 people, Aogashima Village is the "least populated village in Japan." It is a volcanic island featuring unspoiled nature and a double caldera, a natural phenomenon that is rare worldwide. The people who live here also have a long history of supporting each other in this harsh environment.
Based on Aogashima's unique history, the island residents felt that the island's attractions include:
"The fact that there's nothing here except for nature. But that nature is amazing!"
"The deeply moving history of how roads and a port were built in the midst of this natural environment."
"The fact that island residents recognize each other's faces and know exactly who built the structures in front of our eyes, such as who built the port and roads."
"The fact that there are no outdoor trash cans on the island, and yet nobody litters. Everybody knows that garbage must be brought home, because they understand who would be affected by stray litter."
The meeting participants all agreed that both parties would have more a fulfilling time on Aogashima if visitors could somehow experience life on Aogashima with a sense of being fellow "members of the island," with the same perspective as the residents, rather than as "guests."
In FY2020, members will create a leaflet filled with this type of information. They aim to strengthen communication by sharing the thoughts of island residents with people from off-island.
In addition to the leaflet, they will also create a mechanism to encourage visitors to walk around the island on their own and enjoy their time spontaneously.
Going forward, members plan to consider the design and layout of the leaflet based on ideas gathered on the island.
Members of Aogashima's meeting have been considering how to deliver information to people interested in the island and convey the present situation on Aogashima when communication with visitors to the island has been limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since some of the meeting participants are affiliated with accommodation facilities and interact with tourists and visitors daily, these participants shared information on the recent state of tourism to the island and changes in the way communication is handled with visitors.
Basic preventative measures to control the spread of infectious diseases on the island, such as wearing masks, social distancing, and preventing crowding, are being practiced by island residents and visitors alike. However, there is still a sense of "reluctance among island residents to talk to people from outside the island, and visitors are likewise hesitant to interact with the island residents." It became clear that communication with visitors to the island has weakened due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prior to the pandemic, island residents had been able to share the fascinating aspects of Aogashima with visitors through direct encounters with them. However, with fewer and fewer opportunities for such encounters, members expressed the frustration that they have been unable to fully convey the island's attractions to visitors.