As of September 21, 2012

Plan of Joint Sessions
101 Joint Session with the Human Geographical Society of Japan (a)1) ChairShuichi Oyama, Kyoto University, oyama@jambo.africa.kyoto-u.ac.jp
2) Theme
Conflict in Africa and “African potential” for achieving coexistence based on indigenous knowledge
and institutions.
3)

Abstract
Many and varied conflicts including massive civil wars and local conflicts have frequently erupted inAfrica, since 1990s. The international community has showed some success achieving peace throughmilitary interventions, brokering of cease-fires and peace treaties, post-conflict social reconstruction,legal intervention by International Criminal Court, and aid from civilians donated through the NPOs. In
the conflict prevention and peace-building after civil war, we should focus on indigenous knowledge andlocal institutions of individuals, village community and chiefdom system, as well as strengthening nation
capability. This session will discuss the “African potential” based on the complex of local institutions andindigenous knowledge for examining the importance for conflict prevention and peace-building in Africa.
Through the discussion we expect to elucidate states of “African potential” which can be applied tomaintain social order without total dependence on the nation power and police force and also elucidate
the negative states of “African Potential” which have risks to induce social conflicts and damage
peace-building.
102 Joint Session with the Human Geographical Society of Japan (b)1) Chair
Shigeru Kobayashi, Osaka University, skobayas@let.osaka-u.ac.jp
2) Theme
Modern mapping process of East Asian countries: from imperial cartography to GIS.
3）Abstract
Modern East Asian countries passed through a variety of experience in their mapping process. In thefirst stage, exploring of coastline and major waterways by ships from Western countries for thepreparation of nautical charts was a common scene. Then, military field mapping proceeded along withthe frequent international conflicts. British, French, Russian, German, American and Japanesesurveyors played an important role. The survey with the triangulation, introduced from Westerncountries, was applied not only to the territories of sovereign states but also to those governed as colonies.
Modern maps were indispensable tools for multiple purposes such as construction projects, publicadministration, land registration and military operations. Aerial photogrametry developed after World

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War I was also used for military and civil purposes since 1930s.
However, geographic information, summarized as topographical maps and aerial photographs,
concerning these areas, has been dispersed in many institutions and underutilized for academic research
and applied sciences. In order to promote the effective use of this kind of information, detailed study of
the actual mapping process should be advanced, along with the cataloguing of maps and aerialphotographs, in an international perspective. In this joint-session, researchers concerned will exchange
results of their recent studies and discuss the possibility to construct a network of databases of modernmaps of East Asia.
103 Joint Session with the Human Geographical Society of Japan (c)1) Chairs
Koji Nakashima, Kanazawa University, koji331@staff.kanazawa-u.ac.jp
Noriko Ishiyama, Meiji University, ishiyama@kisc.meiji.ac.jp
Setsu Tachibana, Kobe Yamate University, tachibana@kobe-yamate.ac.jp
2) Theme
Rethinking geographies of nature
3) Abstract“Rethinking geographies of nature” session is concerned with diverse forms of socially and culturallyconstructed natures. Various natures in contemporary world, which are socially and culturally produced,play the role of (re)producing economy, culture, politics and social movement through the consumption of
those natures by society. Geographies of nature attempt to critically elucidate these processes ofproduction and consumption of natures, and thereby the construction processes of society itself. Although
the word “nature” seems almost out of fashion in the cutting-edge theories of contemporary humangeography, recent rising interests in biopolitics, hybridity and the “posthuman” paradoxically suggest
how much our social lives depend on the non-human actors of diverse natures.
“Rethinking geographies of nature” session attempts to rethink the significances of various natures incontemporary world, and explores for new horizons of geographies of nature in the future. We invite all
the scholars who have interests in the following topics: representation of nature, nature and social justice,politics of nature, nature and globalization, hybrid natures and other related topics.
104 Joint Session with GIS Association of Japan
1) Chair
Ryosuke Shibasaki, The University of Tokyo, shiba@csis.u-tokyo.ac.jp
2) Theme
Analysis of People Flow and Vehicle Trajectory Data:
3)A New Big Data Challenge

Abstract
People in the world now use 6 billion mobile phones. It makes it possible to track the movement ofpeople to digitize people flow and vehicle trajectory, because the location of hand-sets can be measure2

with GPS or with base stations. Technically, both real-time tracking and long-term tracking of anindividual are also made possible.

Assuming a society where we can digitize the movement of 6 billion

people and vehicles in a real-time and continuous manner, discussions will be made on analysis andutilization methods of people flow and vehicle trajectory data for better and more in-depth
understanding of people behavior under different cultural, socio-economic and infrastructure situations,and for creating new innovative values or service for a society.
105 Joint Session with the Association of Historical Geographers in Japan
1) ChairHirotsugu Fujita, Kobe University, fujita@lit.kobe-u.ac.jp
2) Theme
Historical maps in a GIS environment3)Abstract
Most of the research on historical maps, across many decades and many countries, has been

concerned with: 1) the evolutionary development of maps; 2) the production of the maps, and the relationof the maps to the political and economic conditions and the thought of the times; and 3) reconstructing
the visual landscape, mainly through identification of the map symbols and land area divisions that aredepicted on the maps. Against this backdrop, in Japan during the 1980s research which discussed spatialawareness based on the images of local regions that were depicted developed dramatically. Entering the21st century, institutions holding historical maps have been vigorously making them available throughhigh resolution imagery so that not only specialist researchers, but people throughout the world, havebecome aware of the existence of many historical maps. Also, some scientific analyses have been
attempted on the original maps, and additionally, based on technical advances, historical GIS researchwhich adopts GIS (geographic information systems) has rapidly advanced. Moreover, within historical
GIS research, as an applied aspect of GIS techniques, attempts are already under way to produce
reconstructed maps of historical periods using digital mapping.
Amidst these trends, this joint session is intended to provide an opportunity for discussions withresearchers concerned with historical maps from around the world, in relation to: 1) the comparative
history of maps and surveying techniques; 2) the geographical dissemination of historical maps throughthe trading and collecting activities of collectors; 3) the techniques for making historical maps available
on the Internet; 4) the reconstruction of historical landscapes and the analysis of urban structure using
GIS; and 5) historical GIS depiction on contemporary spaces on the Internet, etc. Through mutual
understanding of the advances in historical map research around the world at this stage, we are aiming
at even further advances in historical map research. The historical maps we envision studying come frommany different countries and regions throughout the world, and we are calling for researchers fromacross the world to participate.
106 Joint Session with Japanese Geomorphological Union

31) Chair
Hiroshi Shimazu, Rissho University, shimazu@ris.ac.jp
2) Theme
Geomorphological processes and hazards in Asia-Pacific region3) Abstract
The Asia-Pacific region is one of the most geomorphological active areas. A large number ofgeomorphic phenomena occur every year, which are quite sensitive to the global environmental changes
including human activities. Severe geomorphological phenomena such as typhoons and earthquakes
sometimes cause mega natural disasters, e.g., the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami as well as theNew Zealand earthquake, which are fresh in our memories. The main subject of this session isinterdisciplinary discussion on the whole range of themes relating to geomorphology, especiallygeomorphic processes, landform development, geomorphological hazards and their mitigation, andrelationships among geomorphic processes, other natural phenomena and human activities caused in theAsia-Pacific region. All topics on geomorphology with new findings and ideas are welcome.
107 Joint Session with Japan-Korea-China Joint Conference on Geography
1) Chair
Kenta Yamamoto, Kyushu International University, ymmt.kiu@gmail.com
2)

Theme
Regional diversity and a possibility of collaboration in East Asia: a contribution from younggeographers3)

Abstract
This session addresses sustainable development in East Asia from the perspective of young physicaland human geographers. These promising young geographers are expected to clarify some issues thateach East Asian country has, and discuss possible collaborations to solve them. Moreover, they are also
anticipated to find multiple ways to spread their ideas to the world. Therefore, this session sets “regionaldiversity” and “possibility of collaboration” as keywords.
Respecting commonality and dissimilarity is a core significance of referring to “regional diversity”.
East Asian states are geographically close, but still heterogeneous in all natural, historical andsocio-economic conditions. It makes us difficult to lump them together as the word of "East Asia". At thesame time, these diversified states should seek “possibility of collaboration” to figure out the ways toachieve the sustained future developments. Hence, mutual cooperation or “collaboration” is a possible
methodology to solve issues in East Asia.
This session will also be a place for reporting on the achievements of Japan-Korea-China Joint
Conference on Geography since 2006, in which arguments have been accumulated by researchers withyouthfulness of spirit. The session organizer hopes that this session will expand geographers’ networkfrom Asian nations to worldwide. Furthermore, we would like to provide an opportunity to strengthen
the relationship among them through exchanging new information.

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108 Joint Session with the Research Program headed by H. Araki
1) ChairHitoshi Araki, Yamaguchi University, arakih@yamaguchi-u.ac.jp
2) Theme
Food geography on the Asia-Pacific: dynamics of food trade in the growth center
3)

Abstract
The food trade of the Asia-Pacific region is undergoing rapid structural changes. Japan with its huge

importation of food expanded its food imports during the 1980s and 1990s. China is becoming
increasingly dependent on overseas food resources under the rapid economic growth. Southeast Asiancountries are also being considered as new food import markets at the same time as food exporters.
Australia and New Zealand, Oceanian countries, are strengthening their attributes as exporters forthese growing Asian markets.

Thus, interdependence is deepening in the region.

In such circumstances, the agribusinesses of the region including Japanese firms have played aleading role in these changes to the food trade. Food companies engaged in such trade show considerable
concern over food safety and environmental issues, the use of agricultural chemicals, organic farming,and so forth, as well as, or more than, economic rationalities, low-wages, land rent, etc. How these foodcompanies launched their overseas operation is open for discussion together with how they adopted
environmental considerations and what kind of effects have been seen in their procurement strategies
and marketing in addition to the trade patterns. Such discussions highlight the distinctive trend of theregion through a comparison with Western case studies.
This session aims to share and exchange our research results of food geography in the Asia-Pacificregion. It provides important perspectives on our food supply.
109 Joint Session with the Research Program headed by Y. Murayama
1) ChairYuji Murayama, University of Tsukuba, mura@geoenv.tsukuba.ac.jp
2) Theme
Methodology in field work
3) Abstract
Field work is fundamental to geography research. Geographers attempt to collect primary data byutilizing a variety of methods such as observation, interviews, questionnaires and surveys. However,field work is a kind of "black box". Each geographer has his/her own ideas, methods and techniques, andcritical and deep discussions among geographers about field work methodology have been very scarce.
Hence, in this session we would like to discuss the technical development, significance of systematicsurveying and the usefulness of geospatial technologies including GIS, GPS and Remote Sensing. It is
important to explore the widely-used methods to systematically collect, accumulate, manage, analyze,visualize and transmit geographic data through our experiences and accumulation of knowledge in field

5work. Moving from “black box” to “white box” is a great challenge in the geography profession.
110 Joint Session with the Research Program headed by H. Okahashi
1) ChairHidenori Okahashi, Hiroshima University, okahasi@hiroshima-u.ac.jp,
2) Theme
Emerging mega-regions in contemporary India
3) Abstract
India has experienced remarkable economic growth since the New Economic Policy implemented in1991. Such rapid economic growth leaded to large scale expansion and restructuring of metropolitan
urban spaces and transformation of nationwide regional systems. We focused on the mega-regions, which
are wide-area agglomerated regions. These regions promote the economic development of contemporary
India, while at the same time possessing spatial structures that cause problems of regional disparities.
The major questions of the session concerning India’s mega-regions are as follows. (1)How are they
formed and how do they exist?

(2)What internal structures do they have, and how are these structures

related to transformation (development) of regional economies and societies?

(3)What roles do Indianmega-regions play in socio-economic development at the national and local level?

(4)How are Indianmega-regions tied to global changes?
111 Joint Session with the Research Program headed by H. Yamane
1) ChairHiroshi Yamane, University of Toyama, yamane@edu.u-toyama.ac.jp
2) Theme
Geographical thinking of the modern Japanese territory: the mainland, the colonial areas and theirinteractional space
3) Abstract
Modern Japan is geographically considered as the territory made up of three different areas; “theindigenous Japan” (‘mainland’), “the colonial area of imperial Japan” (Korea, Taiwan and Manchuria)
and “the interactional area between Japan and its colonial area” (mainly, the Sea of Japan, the East
China Sea and their coastal area).
There were diverse reasons for regional development in Modern Japan, which involved domestic
development policies and colonial management, such as the (re)location of important political functions,the promotion of industrialization, the provision and upgrading of public infrastructures (especially port
construction and expansion, building traffic nodes and railways, city planning and building), theencouragement of migration to the colonial areas, etc.
The purpose of this session is to explore the development process of some localities and regions in thethree spaces that are considered the components of Modern Japan. Therefore, this session will also
examine the geopolitical, economic or utopic logic underlying this remarkable development and6modernization of Modern Japan.
We wish to address and discuss the role of social structure and human agency in the formation ofsome concrete spaces in Modern Japan. The session will underline the reproduction of socio-spatialstructures and new territorialities or “trans-territorialities” in the colonial space.
Furthermore, we will identify the interactional space that emerged between the mainland and its
colonies in Modern Japan. This is assumed to be an independent actor that played a pivotal role inModern Japan.
Diverse types of research sources (statistics, maps, diaries, official reports, newspapers), methods(statistical analysis, narrative analysis, case studies) and analytical frameworks (realism, structuration
theory, social cognitive theory) will be presented during the session.
Lastly, all participants will be invited to contribute with new knowledge to find a theoreticalframework that explains the spatial characteristics of the formation process of Modern Japan.

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