Contribution of Community Culture for Regional Development
 Through Cases of Isolated Group Islands in Yaeyama, Japan
Peiqian Liu, Makoto Hirano and Feng Liu
Entrepreneur Engineering Graduate School,
Kochi University of Technology
ABSTRACT----- In the recent decades, more and more researches have explored that there is a strongly
positive correlation between economic growth and characteristics of regional community and that
entrepreneurship is the engine of regional economic growth. However, in many rural and peripheral regions,geographical disadvantages make it very difficult to develop community and grow entrepreneurship forregional development.
In this study, we observed and examined the region of Yaeyama Islands in Japan and many firms in thisregion and found that community culture is one of the positive factors for the development in this region.
The intrinsic spirit of shared vision and joint mission based on nature loving, heritage respecting and future
concerning have great impacts on propelling community evolution and entrepreneurial activities. This paper
focuses on how community culture contributes to community development and entrepreneurship growing forthe development in Yaeyama islands. The successful experience may have some implications for other ruraland peripheral regions.
KEYWORDS:

community culture, entrepreneurship growing, community development

peripheral regions, such as remote and isolated small

1. INTRODUCTION

islands, many inherent disadvantages (e.g. lack of
Encouraging development of rural region has
long

been

discussed

by

many

economists,

resources, small population, and so on) make it very
difficulttodevelopcommunity

and

grow

particularly in terms of solving social disparity

entrepreneurship for regional development. Hence,

issues. In the recent decades, more and more

how to take advantage of some other advantageous

researches have explored that there is a strongly

factors available is a realistic research issue forpositive correlation between economic growth andregional development.

characteristics of regional community (e.g. Putnam,

In this study, the region of Yaeyama Islands inentrepreneurs’

Japan and many firms in this region are observed

entrepreneurial and operational activities are theand examined. Yaeyama Islands share with othermost active parts in regional economic growth.

rural peripheral regions many characteristics which

Many researchers suggested that entrepreneurship is

may affect their economic growth: remoteness,the engine of economic growth (e.g. Holcombe,

insularity and small population. Even with such

1998)

variousdisadvantages, this region has recently attracted

engendermuch attention in virtue of the boom of tourism

entrepreneurship. However, in many rural andindustry and the regional economic growth.

1993).

Onandenvironmental

the

paid

other

hand,

great

attention

factors

that

to

1/11

Many factors may contribute to the performance. has been generally proposed as having resourceThis paper assumes that community culture ispotential for individual and group (e.g. Woolcock,one of the most important factors in this case

1998; Ports and Sensenbrenner, 1993; Coleman,

and attempts to seek how this factor contributes to1988) and has been shown to be positively

community

associateddevelopment

andentrepreneurshipwithcommunity

andregional

development activities (e.g. Ostrom, 2000; Putnam,

growing for regional development.
The rest of the paper is organized as follows.

2000, 1993). Putnam (1993) provides a strong

Section 2 presents a brief literature review ofendorsement of social capital as a community andentrepreneurship and community development. A

regional resource and concludes that “Voluntarydetailed description of Yaeyama Islands and three

cooperation is easier in a community that has

business cases is arranged in Section 3. Section 4inherited a substantial stock of social capital, in theprovides an analysis and discussion on howform of norms of reciprocity and networks of civic

community culture contributes to entrepreneurshipagreement”.

growing and community evolving. The paper ends incommunity (e.g. Wilkinson, 1991; Bridger andconclusions and implications.

Luloff, 1999) stresses the importance of local social

The

interaction

perspectiveofinteraction for identifying and acting on community
goals. Sharp (2001) and Wilkinson (1970) suggests

2 LITERATURE REVIEW

that attributes of the community field that improve
As in numerous literatures, regional economic

capacity for achieving community-oriented goals

growth is logically related to entrepreneurship andinclude improved capacity to coordinate action

community

among

development.

On

one

hand,

diverseinstitutions

andorganizations,entrepreneurship, innovation and economic growthincreased capacity to mobilize resources, and an

are linked through the recognition and exploitation

ability to plan and act strategically to balance diverseof opportunities in economic and social arenas

community goals.

(Drucker 1985; Schumpeter, 1951). Summing up

Accordingly, entrepreneurship / entrepreneurial

entrepreneurial trait and other researches, researchers

activities and community development are the two(e.g. Rauch and Frese, 2000) suggest that theabsolutely

economic

background,development. There must be some stimulatory

employment history, organizational experiences,

factors that will make them function togethersocial networks, national culture and personality

effectively. In the following research, we examine

traits all affect the probability that some one will act

entrepreneurshipentrepreneurially. Georgellis and Wall’s (2000) study

development in Yaeyama islands, which is quiteof rates of self-employment across British regions

successful in regional economic growth in the lastsuggests that the “entrepreneurial human capital” of

decades. The purpose of the analysis is to argue thea region is an important factor of regional

contribution of community culture, which is the souldevelopment. Acs and Armington (2004) suggests

of a community, to entrepreneurship growing andthat entrepreneurial culture increases start-up rates

communityyielding innovation and subsequently contribute todisadvantages of rural areas.

environment,

familynecessaryelements

growingdevelopment,

for

and

despitecommunitytheeconomic growth. On the other hand, social capital,such as social structure, networks, norms and trust,regional

3. CASES INTRODUCTION
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possiblelifestyle. The number of visitors increased two-fold
3.1 A Brief Introduction of Yaeyama Islands

over the last decade largely as a result of the

The Yaeyama islands are an archipelago in the

introduction of direct flights from metropolitan areas.

Okinawa Prefecture, comprising 10 inhabited islands

In addition high-speed boats operate between

and 12 uninhabited islands. The isles are theIshigakijima and other islands in Yaeyama and aremotest part of Japan from the main islands andgreat number of tourists board at Ishigaki port all

contains both the most southern (Hateruma) and theyear round. Tourist industry is now the main

most western (Yonaguni) inhabited islands of theindustry in Yaeyama Islands. According to the dataisland nation of Japan. The Yaeyamas are far closer

from Statistical Department of Okinawa Prefecture,

to Taiwan (125 km) than to Okinawa Island, muchthe aggregate income of Yaeyama Islands amounts

less the Japanese Mainland.

to 108.877 Billion Yen (Ishigaki, 95.331 billion Yen,

The administrative division of Yaeyama Islands

Taketomi, 9.149 billion Yen, Yonaguni, 4.417

covers Ishigaki City and Yaeyama-gun (including

billion Yen). The average income per capita of

Taketomi Town and Yonaguni Town). As of 2003,

Yaeyama has won the first place in 11 consecutive

Ishigaki City has an estimated population of 43769,

years in Okinawa, amounting to 2.159 million Yenover 90% of the population in Yaeyama islands, andin 2004.

the destiny of 191.21 persons per km2. The total area
is 228.91 km2. Yaeyama-gun has an estimated3.2

population of 5,579 and the destiny of 15.37 persons

COMMUNITY ESTABLIHMENT

2HERITAGE

MANAGEMENTAND

2

per km . The total area is 362.89 km .
The climate of Yaeyama Islands is subtropical.

There are many islands in Yaeyama, each of

Ishigakijima Local Meteorological Observatory data

which has unique geographic location, experience in

specifies that annual mean temperature is 24.0 °C,

the history and traditional culture. This causes eachannual rainfall is 2061.0mm and that, on averageisland to form their unique heritage and community.

Yaeyamaannum.

However, the same is their common sense to

Geologically, Yaeyama Islands are made of coralestablish a community where harmony exists

reefs. But in larger islands, such as Ishigakijima andbetween person and person, human and the nature,

Iriomotejima, there are forests and swamps.

modernization and tradition. Here, we present an

receives

4.1

typhoonsper

Prior to Okinawa’s restoration to Japan in 1972,

example of Taketomi about its heritage management

agriculture was the only major economic activity inand community establishment.

Yaeyama Islands. Up until the mid-1950s the

1. Taketomi Town

dominant mode of agriculture was a self-sufficient

Taketomi Town includes the islands of Iriomote,one, mainly planting paddy rice and sweet potato,

Taketomi, Kohama, Kuroshima, Hateruma, andwith millet and small-scale scattered sugarcane fields. Hatoma. Although Ishigaki is not part of the town,
After 1955, pineapples became a major cash crop

the town hall is located there. As of 2005, the town

and in the 1960s beef cattle became another major

has an estimated population of 4,171 and the density

product. Currently, Yaeyama Islands have become aof 12.5 persons per km2. The total area is 334.01

popular tourist destination and a “healing spot”,

km2.

where tourist’s attention is attracted by their natural

Taketomi Island is located a ten-minute board

environment, rich cultural heritage and relaxedride away from Ishigaki Island. There is a village in
3/11

the center. Taketomi has a population of 361 (2006)

back to teach students in the island. In those days,2

and an area of 6.32 km . As the island is quite

some people whose talent and knowledge were quite

circular in shape, everywhere is within walking

matched to the need appeared and aggressively

distance.

improved the society of the island to develop the

2. Festivals

ability of self-government. Fukuri Uema as a leader

There are many famous festivals (Matsuri) inof the island established a democratic community

Taketomi Island yearly, such as Shichimatsuri,

council called Taketomi Doshikan which later

Tanadhui, Pui, Kitsugan. People in Taketomi

became Taketomi Public Hall. In 1949, the Publictreasure this culture with loving care, and treat it asHall divided festivals and politic into two parts inspiritual nourishment for their daily lives. Thisorder to manage their traditional culture moreculture has become the island’s own specialty andeffectively. The Festival Department was establishedtraditional entertainment. Tanadhui is the biggest

and tried to put all the festivals and events in order.

festival, which takes place for ten days during

Since the late 20 century, with increasing

September and October of the lunar calendar. All of

connections with the outside world, many scholars,

the people who join the festival experience thevisitors and immigrants have been attracted by thesoul-stirring passion and the sense of solidarity

natural environment, traditional culture and lifestyle.

amongst the participants. The energy, which has

This makes the islanders realize how wonderful theirpassed down from generation to generation, holds

culture is and be proud of it. On the other hand,

the islanders all in the circle of humanity, united love

many young men who went out to work and study inand caring for each other.

big cities came back to create their business. They

3. Traditional constructions

care much about the island’s heritage and future.

Taketomi is famous for its traditional houses,

Under such a circumstance, the leaders of the islandstone walls and sandy streets, making it popular withalso took efforts to protect the island. They learned

tourists. Red-tiled houses are the most typicalfrom advanced areas and accepted good examples. In

characteristic of the island. In order to protect this

1986, they passed “Taketomi Island Carter” andarchitecture style, various rules are in place to“Taketomi Town Historical Scenery Protection Act”.

prevent the more aesthetically-displeasing aspects of

In 2000, National Taketomi Island’s Culturalmodern construction from ruining the beauty of the

Association was founded. Taketomi Public Hallisland, such as:

became a corporate organization the next year. ABuilding permission before constructing

NPO Takidhun was established to research andnew house

preserve the fading culture and to protect the scenerySubsidy in aid of tiling red tiles

and way of life of this unique island. As a result ofNo signboard on the exterior of the housethese efforts, Tanadhui Festival was designated asInhabitants clean up and maintain theone of the important intangible cultural assets ofwhite-sand street every morning

Japan. "Yaeyama Minsah" was selected as a

4. Community establishment

traditional craft product by the former Ministry of

It is said that, in 1890s 11 students graduatedInternational Trade and Industry. Taketomi Islandfrom the school in Taketomi, five of which entered

was selected as Important Traditional Constructions

high school outside the island. Two of them, Matsu

Preservation Area by Administration of Culture.

Uchimori and Fukuri Uema, graduated and came
4/11

3.3 Reinforcing Common Vision -- Case of

The company requires every member to join in
the island’s collective activities, such as

Taketomi Transport Company

cleaning the street everyday, Tanadhui festival.
After World War II, for the purpose of materialThe immigrants who refuse to accept the culture

transportation, paid transport business began. 18of the island and join in the activities of theTaxicommunity will be rejected by the company.

companies

emergedsuccessively.

These

companies operated individually and frequently
combated with each other for customers, which in

3.4

effect did harm to business development in thisCultureregion. Such condition maintained even after an

Botanical Garden

Business–

Opportunity
Case

of

from

Traditional

Yubujima

Subtropicalindustrial cooperation established in the island. In
1993, Mr. Manabu Uema returned to his hometown

1. Overview of Yubujima

from his work in other city and became the executive

Yubujima is a small island located on the east

director of the cooperation. He made up his mind to

shore of Iriomote, Taketomi Town. The island camepersuade these Taxi companies to join in theinto being by sand deposits with an altitude of nocooperation and to integrate all the businesses. He

more than 1.5 meters and a perimeter of 2.15 km..

told them the significance of the integration to the

Yubujima belongs to Taketomi Town according

island on the sustainability of their business and theto administrative division. The initial inhabitants

future of the next generation. He said more than once, immigrated from Taketomi and Kurojima. After“We should try to establish a solid foundation forWorld War II, the population had once grown to

our children to make a career in the future.” After 5

150-180 until 1969, when a typhoon let to so much

years’ efforts, these companies changed their mind.

damage that inhabitants left for Iroimote. Currently,

Then, the cooperation transited to be Taketomi

there are less than 20 inhabitants in the island.

Transport Company.

2. Yubujima Subtropical Botanical Garden

Currently, the business range of the company

After the typhoon in 1969, Mr. and Mrs.

has extended to tourist industry and postal services.

Iroimote stayed in the island and kept planting veg

The company is planning to open up a supermarket

etation. With their efforts, the island became “abecause it is inconvenient and expensive for thenatural paradise of subtropical animals and plants”.

islanders to do shopping in the island. The company

32 years ago, tourist industry began in Okinawa, Mr.

has in practice the representative of the island’s

Yagi invested to build a botanical garden and madeeconomy working for the welfare of the islanders. In

it a business.

fact, every business is taking place circling around

Mr. Yasushi Yagi, the grandson of Mr. Yagi, isthe company, in other words, every islander is athe second generation of the business. Mr. Yasushi

member of the company. The company attaches

Yagi is now 41 years old. He had been working in

great importance to the establishment of community.

other cities as a guide in a tourist company and a

The company takes active part in the activities

sailor in a passenger ship until 14 years ago heof the Public Hall by assistance of drafting

returned to his homeland. Since then, he has been

regulations

taking an active part in the Association of Tourist

and

acts

about

protection and culture inheritance.

environment

Industry of Taketomi Town and is the head of theYouth Department of the association. After he
5/11

became the director of the botanical garden, he

Various postcards and craftworks related tobegan to undertake business reengineering. First, he“Daigorou” and “Hanako”, water buffalo cart andrestructured the business as a joint-stock company.

water buffalo tour are developed and sold to tourists

Second, he extended the business range of theas souvenir.

company. Third, he developed special tourist items,

Now, water buffalo tour is one of the mostsuch as water buffalo cart. Currently, the businessfamous and attractive tourist items of Yubujima tour.

range of the company includes tourist sightseeing

There are on average 1,500 visitors everyday visiting

services, farm and orchard for tourist sightseeing,

Yubujima.

fruit tree gardening base, juice and jelly processing,tourist souvenir shop, restaurants, and so on. There
are 70 staffs and 30 farmers working in the company,

3.5 “Green Operation” -- Case of Iriomote
Transport Groupthe number of which is 3 times as many as that of thepast.

1. Overview of Iriomote

3. Special Tourist Item -- Water Buffalo Tour

Iriomote is the largest of the Yaeyama Islands

Rice crop used to be grown on Yubujima. In

with an area of 289 km2 and a population of 2,400.

1932, a pair of water buffaloes, which were named

Administratively, the island belongs to Taketomi“Daigorou” and “Hanako”, were brought fromTown.

Taiwan. They helped cultivation and bred offspring.

Most of the island is covered by dense

Since then, water buffaloes have become the mostsubtropical jungle and mangrove swamps. 80% oftreasured livestock of the island. Water buffaloes

the island is protected state land and 34.3% of thewere also trained to haul cart, which became a mainisland forms the Iriomote National Park. Iriomote ismeans of conveyance. Currently, there are around 40

a coral island surrounded by many beautiful coralwater buffaloes. They are all the offspring ofreefs.

“Daigorou” and “Hanako”. A monument was erected

Until the end of World War II, Iriomote wasby the islanders in memory of “Daigorou” andlargely uninhabited due to its infestation by malaria.

“Hanako”.

After the war, the US Forces in Japan eradicated

The idea of water buffalo tour is based on thismalaria from the island, and the island has been

history. After planning and propagandizing throughmalaria free since. In the past, agriculture is the only

tourist magazines and internet, the idea came true:industry, rice, pineapple and sugarcane being theWater buffalo cart

main crops. In the last two decades, tourism has

The water between Yubujima and Iroimotejima

become the main industry, attracting more thanis so swallow (less than 1 meter at the usual time)

12,000 visitors every year. With the boom of tourism,that people can easily walk across but most people

many migrants are also attracted to settle in theused the water buffalo to save getting their feet wet.

island. Currently, more than half of the population is

The tourists can take a water buffalo cart from

migrants from other place.

Iriomotejima to Yubujima and around Yubujima,

2. Iriomote Transport Group

enjoying the wonderful sightseeing and listening to

Iriomote Transport Group was established 40

the story of “Daigorou” and “Hanako”.

years



Tamamori,

Tourist souvenir

ago.

Current

director,

Mr.

Masamichi

anddirector,Mr.

Masaharu

vice

Tamamori, are the second generation of the business.
6/11

The business group comprises 4 companies and 11

forms the regional attractiveness. Visitors anddepartments, with 180 employees (70% of them are

migrants were attracted by this community culture.

migrants). The group involves in multiple businesses

They came here for sightseeing or settling down. Asof transportation and tourism, such as buses, taxies,

far as business is concerned, a market graduallysight-seeing boats, restaurants, supermarkets, spas,

formed and human resource increased. Adapting toand so on. The yearly revenue amounts to 2 billion

this situation, infrastructures (e.g. airport, regularYen.

boats)

were

established.

Local

entrepreneurs,

The group attaches great importance to social

especially those who have education and working

responsibility and the protection of environment andexperience outside the islands, seized the businessecosystem. They launch a campaign called “Green

opportunities and began to open up their business.

Operation”. The content of the campaign includes:

Their knowledge includes explicit knowledge and

All the businesses must comply with ISO14001.

tacit knowledge learned from outside and the tacit

Up to 2007, all of the 11 departments haveknowledge of their community culture.
The entrepreneurial activities extended theobtained authentication of ISO14001.




are

communications not only in the community but alsoannounced to guide the operation of allwith the outside world. An entrepreneurial culturebusinesses. All the employees must be educatedgradually came into being and greatly influenced

and comply with the guidelines. The guidelines

community

can also be found on the homepage so that theircommunity to be a modern community, which isbusiness activities can be superintended.

advantageous to regional development. In order toMany measures, such as waste oil disposal andmake the process clearer, detailed analyses andrecycle, are adopted not only for cost saving but

discussions are presented in the following sections.

8environment

protection

guidelines

culture.

also for eco-operation.


In order to protect the natural environment of
the island from the booming visitors, they
contacted and came to terms with companies ofthe same trade and the trade association to

All

these

propelled

theCommunity
Fig. 1. the process ofcommunity development andentrepreneurship growing inYaeyamaCommunity culture

Social Resources

NaturalResources

Outer
Knowledge
EK

Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurial
elements

control the number of visitors within thelimitation that the natural environment can

TK

Entrepreneurial activities
Entrepreneurial culture

withstand.
Community development
Regional development

4. ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
2. Community culture and joint mission in the
1. The process of entrepreneurship growing andcommunity development in Yaeyama Islands

Yaeyama Islands
Yaeyama islands are far from the main island

As showed in Fig.1, the development ofwith small population and relatively low fiscal

Yaeyama Islands is a gradually evolving process.

capacity. Each of the islands is quiet and isolated

Even with limited resources, rich community culture

from the outside world. In the past, the islanders

in Yaeyama, such as nature loving, heritage

were self-sufficient by doing farming. Even now,respecting, spirits of solidarity and leisure lifestyle,they live a simple and pastoral life. The islands are
7/11

so small that people naturally know each other andactivities. On the other hand, local entrepreneurs’

have to help each other. The relationship between

entrepreneurial activities are easier to be accepted bypeople and people is harmonious and friendly. All

the community, because local entrepreneurs arethese engender close communication among people,

inclined to understand and respect community

which is easier for them to share knowledge andcultures.
c) Human resources include the local peoplecommon values. On the other hand, grounded on the
belief and worship towards the nature and gods, they

and

the

migrants

attractedbythenaturalcreated dances and festivals to offer to the nature andenvironment and community culture.

gods. They maintain a harmonious relationship with

4. Local entrepreneurs’ entrepreneurial activities

the nature. So, the community is somehow in a

based on shared vision and joint mission:

natural and simple way based on traditional culture

In the cases we studied, community culture andknowledge obtained through empirical experience.

welfare are respected and protected in the course of

Gradually, a shared vision and joint mission based

business undertaking. For example, in the case of

on nature loving, heritage respecting and future

Taketomi Transport Group, the employees areconcerning has become the intrinsic spirit of therequired to join in the collective activities of thecommunity culture.

community. In the case of Yubujima BotanicalThe community may lack the resources required

Garden, the history of the island (e.g. water buffalo)

to effectively undertake an industrial recruitment

is inherited. In the case of Iriomote Transport Group,

strategy, which involves efforts to attract firms fromenvironment policies are announced and executed.

outside the community to locate to the area. In spite

Moreover, the businesses they established pay fullof the possible disadvantages of a rural area, theattention to convenience of the islanders’ daily life,

community established contributes local resources,

such as postal service, delivery service, bus service

such as natural resources, social network, sharedand supermarket in the future.

mission,

5. Local entrepreneurs -- the knowledge leaders ofenthusiasm,

and

so

on,

to

local

the community knowledge network

entrepreneurial creativity.
3. The resources the community contributes to

In the research of Yaeyama, we found somelocal entrepreneurs

characteristics of the local entrepreneurs and the3.1. Natural resources

companies. a) The current operators are theThrough the efforts of the islanders and theentrepreneurs of the second generation. In the cases

community they established, attractive natural

we studied, all the current entrepreneurs were born

environment is well preserved.

in the islands and have the education background or

3.2. Social resources

experience of working in other cities. The maina) Spirit of teamwork appeared and maintains

reason is that the entrepreneurs of the first generation

because of harmonious social relationship andstarted up their own business and accumulated a sum

network.

of money. They hoped their children to learn moreb) Entrepreneurial enthusiasm caused by theknowledge, to have more experience or to find a

community shared vision, such as preservation of thebetter career. So they sent their children to go tocommunity’s heritages and culture, welfare of theschool or seeking job outside the island. b) The

community and the future of the descendants,

current business is much bigger and more successful

stimulates

than the business run by entrepreneurs of the first

local

entrepreneurs’

entrepreneurial

8/11

generation. The businesses are integrated into

6. Community social network and knowledge

modern companies, being managed in professional

network enlarges owing to local entrepreneurs andmanner. The business range is extended andtheir entrepreneurial activities.
a. Local entrepreneurs start up many businesses

reengineered.
This is, to a large extent, because therelated to local welfares, such as supermarket, bus

entrepreneurs of second generation have a larger

service, postal service and delivery service. Moresocial network and a wider knowledge network. (Seesocial infrastructures (e.g. airport, schools) are

Fig.2)

established by the government, because of thedevelopment of tourist industry. All these help to

Fig. 2 Local Entrepreneurs’ Social Network
and Knowledge Network
Outer World

maintain and enhance a close tie between local firms
andCommunity

Government
Customers

community.

Inaddition,

population

increased instead of depopulation because many

FamilyFriends

Institutions

the

Local

migrants are attracted by job opportunity created by
local entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneurs

Islanders

Firms

b. There are natural relations between local
Employees

Other Parties
Concerned

entrepreneurs and the islanders because of the sharedcommunity culture and joint mission as mentioned

Knowledge
Communications

Social Relations

above. In addition, most of the local people became
employees of the companies local entrepreneurs

On one hand, the entrepreneurs were born andestablished. There must be many communications,grew up in the islands, so the tacit knowledge of thewhich are of great advantage to knowledge,

island community’s common sense, culture andespecially tacit knowledge, transfer and diffusion.

tradition must have exerted a subtle influence on

Knowledge is brought from outside and diffused intheir mind. On the other hand, the experience oftheschool or job may leak knowledge spillovers to themthemselves and their entrepreneurial activities, such

either through formal education or from otheras business operation, business association, and sosources. The knowledge local entrepreneurs obtainedon. This is why local entrepreneurs are called

make it possible for them to identify the businessknowledge leaders. Furthermore, it is most likely

opportunity and to manage their business effectively.

that many other islanders are inspired by theWith the extension of their business range and theentrepreneurial knowledge and open up their own

enhancement of their business experience, local

business. More entrepreneurs emerge. Gradually, anentrepreneurs’ social relations and knowledge

entrepreneurial culture and a much larger knowledge

community

through

local

entrepreneurs

communications are much more manifold. Gradually, network, the source of regional development, cometheir social network and knowledge network haveinto being.

been enlarging. They not only absorb knowledge,
but also transfer and diffuse knowledge through theirsocialnetworkandknowledge

5. CONCLUSION

network.

Subsequently, they became the knowledge leaders of

As reviewed in the literature, community

the community they belong to, and the community

development and entrepreneurship growing are two

knowledge network enlarges synchronously.

of the elements of regional development. In this
9/11

Thanks are also due

paper, the community and entrepreneurs in Yaeyama

interviewing in Yaeyama.

Region are observed in detail. Through analyzing theto Prof. Osam Tomisawa, in Kochi University ofcorrelation

Technology, for his precious suggestions for thisbetweenthetwoelements,

theimplications are summarized as follow:

research. This work was supported in part by

1. Shared vision and joint mission is crucial for thethe Special Subsidies in Subsidies for ordinary

development of a region that may lack resources andexpense of private schools from the Promotion

has to undertake a self-development strategy,

and Mutual Aid Corporation for Private Schools

because it is a prerequisite and the soul of a

of Japan.

community. Traditional culture and a sense ofsolidarity in rural regions as one of the historical

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2. To develop rural regions, some outside knowledge

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are also needed, including outside tacit knowledge.

[2] Bridger, J.C., Luloff, A.E., 1999. Toward An

So a knowledge leader with outside knowledge

Interactional Approach to Sustainable Community

through his/her learning or working experience

Development. Journal of Rural Studies 15, 377-387

outside can play a role as a regional entrepreneur.

[3] Coleman, J.S., 1988. Social Capital in the

He/she can make an effective knowledge network

Creation of Human Capital. American Journal of

not only inside the community but also outside theSociology 94 (Supplement), S95-S120

community.

[4]

It is also implied that local government should

DruckerP,

1985.

Innovation

andEntrepreneurship. Harper & Row, New Yorktry to help establish a modern community with joint[5] Georgellis Y, Wall H, 2000. What Makes a

mission in a rural area and encourage those who

Region Entrepreneurial? Evidence from Britain. Ann

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
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appreciation to Ms. Sakiko Kedashiro and her family

Simon and Schuster, New York.

and[10] Rauch A, Frese M, 2000. Psychologicalfriends

for

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kind

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for

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