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Kamikatsu town originally produced mandarin oranges. However, in 1981 the
mandarin orchards suffered devastating damage from abnormally cold weather. In
an effort to recover financially, Kamikatsu residents started up a project of selling to
restaurants the flowers and leaves they found growing naturally in hilly areas of the
town. Although they encountered difficulties in the beginning, the project became a
resounding success after the town’s residents persevered by analyzing customers’
needs and conducting market surveys, developing new products and skillfully incorporating IT.
Nowadays, old ladies living in Kamikatsu use computers to sell their goods to
restaurants in cities. The elderly residents of Kamikatsu are all enjoying good health
with work giving meaning to their everyday lives. There are hardly any elderly who
are bedridden in Kamikatsu.
With a community base like this, Kamikatsu has begun its “Sanitation System
Inspired by a Zero Waste Policy.” Although the town achieved success with its
Irodori Project, the local municipality does not have much leeway in its finances
with a population of just under 1700. The residents have come together to implement
a strict system of separating rubbish into 34 different categories for recycling. This
enabled the town to greatly reduce its rubbish processing costs. The town has teamed
up with residents and Lixil Corporation to promote the demonstration of a new
wastewater purification system, thus playing a part in preserving the environment.
Many hints for resolving issues faced by developed countries are to be found in
the series of initiatives implemented by Kamikatsu town.
Fig. 6.2 Amachō, known for high school revival, received First Place in the first Grand Prize for
the Platinum Competition
6 Platinum Industry and a New Society
Kamikatsu town originally produced mandarin oranges. However, in 1981 the
mandarin orchards suffered devastating damage from abnormally cold weather. In
an effort to recover financially, Kamikatsu residents started up a project of selling to
restaurants the flowers and leaves they found growing naturally in hilly areas of the
town. Although they encountered difficulties in the beginning, the project became a
resounding success after the town’s residents persevered by analyzing customers’
needs and conducting market surveys, developing new products and skillfully incorporating IT.
Nowadays, old ladies living in Kamikatsu use computers to sell their goods to
restaurants in cities. The elderly residents of Kamikatsu are all enjoying good health
with work giving meaning to their everyday lives. There are hardly any elderly who
are bedridden in Kamikatsu.
With a community base like this, Kamikatsu has begun its “Sanitation System
Inspired by a Zero Waste Policy.” Although the town achieved success with its
Irodori Project, the local municipality does not have much leeway in its finances
with a population of just under 1700. The residents have come together to implement
a strict system of separating rubbish into 34 different categories for recycling. This
enabled the town to greatly reduce its rubbish processing costs. The town has teamed
up with residents and Lixil Corporation to promote the demonstration of a new
wastewater purification system, thus playing a part in preserving the environment.
Many hints for resolving issues faced by developed countries are to be found in
the series of initiatives implemented by Kamikatsu town.
Fig. 6.2 Amachō, known for high school revival, received First Place in the first Grand Prize for
the Platinum Competition
6 Platinum Industry and a New Society