World Cultural Heritage nomination『Gold Mine on Sado Island』

Sado City
Sustainable Development Goals Report(Sado First Voluntary Local Review Report)～Local SDGs Sado Island, aiming to be a model region for self-reliant
and decentralized society～

2024

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Table of Contents
Message from the Mayor
Introduction
City Overview
Three assets to inherit for the futureGold Mine on Sado Island
World Agricultural Heritage
Sado Geopark
Social Conditions and Current Situation Surrounding Sado City
Positioning of this report
Vision of Sado City
Basic Philosophy and Vision for the Future
Local SDGs Sado Island Declaration
Priority goals and indicators for realization of the vision
Relationship between priority and cross-cutting initiatives and sectoral
policies
SDGs Future City Plan
Municipal SDG model projects
Integrated efforts linking economic, social, and environmental aspects
Promotion Structure and Cooperation with Stakeholders
Promotion Structure
Cooperation with Stakeholders
Specific initiatives
Creation of a model of energy x disaster prevention x tourism
Establishment of a system to create an autonomous virtuous circle, etc.
Conclusion
Reference
SDGs Future City Overall Plan Status of Achievement of Initiatives
Contributing to the Promotion of the SDGs by Local Governments

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Message from the Mayor
The crested ibis, also known by its scientific name "Nipponia Nippon," isan internationally protected bird. The Japanese crested ibis was once foundthroughout Japan, from Hokkaido to Okinawa, but overhunting and otherfactors caused its numbers to decline, and the last time it survived in Japanwas in 1981, when it became extinct in the wild on Sado Island. The ibis waslast seen in the wild on Sado Island in 1981, when it became extinct in thewild. In order to restore the lost habitat of the crested ibis, the project has
been working on "farming methods to nurture living creatures" that take into
consideration the ecosystem of the rice paddies where the ibis feeds, andin 2008, the birds were successfully released. In recognition of these
efforts to coexist with the crested ibis, the entire island was recognized as"Satoyama on Sado Island in Harmony with the Crested Ibis" in 2011, thefirst time in Japan to be recognized as a World Agricultural Heritage site.
Sado is also a remote island in the Sea of Japan. Rising sea water temperaturesdue to global warming and increasingly severe natural disasters pose a threat tothe island's rich natural environment and socioeconomic activities. In terms ofenergy supply, the island is almost entirely dependent on marine transportation offossil fuels from off-island sources, which poses a challenge in terms ofenvironmental impact and disaster risk. To address these issues unique to theremote islands, the project aims to revitalize the local economy, improve disaster
preparedness, and conserve biodiversity by expanding the introduction ofrenewable energy, and to create a small model of a sustainable, recycling-oriented
society that is possible only on the remote island of Sado. Sado Island is said tobe an advanced region in terms of issues, where many of the problems that could
occur in Japan in the future are occurring ahead of their time. We believe thatcreating a model of a sustainable, recycling-oriented society on Sado Island,
however small, will lead to the sustainability of Japan and, by extension, the world.
Sado, which is committed to biodiversity conservation, has declared Nature
Positive in 2022. Along with the promotion of a zero-carbon island, we willcontinue to take on the challenge of investing in nature and promoting a recyclingoriented economy. We have set the creation of an island that coexists with its richnatural environment, deepens understanding of Sado's unique history and culture,and is passed on to future generations with pride andaffection as the 18th SDG goal of Sado Island, and will work
toward the creation of an environment, economy, society,and We will work toward the creation of a sustainable island
where history and culture resonate with daily life.
July, 2024
Mayor of Sado City
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Introduction
City Overview【Location and topography】
Located almost in the center of Niigata Prefecture on the Sea of Japanand connected by two shipping routes, Ryotsu Port-Niigata Port and Ogi
Port-Naoetsu Port, the city is a remote island city with an area of about
855 ㎢ and a population of about 50,000.
The city is formed by two mountain ranges, the Osado Mountains to thenorth and the Kosado Hills to the south, and the Kuninaka Plain between
them, with Ryotsu Bay to the east and Mano Bay to the west. Several
coastal terraces are developed through Osado and Kosado, and thecoastline surrounding the island is approximately 280 km long.
Most of the island is designated as a national park or prefectural naturalpark, and is blessed with a rich and beautiful natural environment. In
addition, the warm and cold currents off the coast of Sado Island have an
influence on the island's climate, resulting in mild winters with lesssnowfall than in Honshu, and a rich vegetation with both warm and cold
climate types.

【Culture】
The city's culture is said to be "Sado is a miniature version of Japan." Thecity's unique culture is a fusion of three cultures: aristocratic culture
brought by aristocrats who were exiled to Sado, samurai culture brought bymagistrates and officials from Edo (Tokyo) due to the development of goldand silver mines, and merchants and sailors' culture brought by thetownspeople.
Sado is also known as an island that coexists with the crested ibis, a
species designated as a special natural treasure that has beensuccessfully bred and inhabited in the wild, and prospered as a gold andsilver mining center during the Edo period (1603-1868), producing thelargest amount of gold and silver in Japan.

【Industry】
The city's industries include agriculture, where rice is cultivated using
the "farm for nurturing living things" method, which aims to coexist withthe crested ibis and emphasizes biodiversity preservation, as well as fruit
cultivation such as okesa persimmons and l'erectie, and horticultural
cultivation such as asparagus. In the fishing industry, representative
seafood from the Sea of Japan are caught, such as yellowtail caught in the4peak season when the fat is at its
best, and nanban shrimps and snow
crabs that live in the clean andnutrient-rich deep sea.
In terms of tourism, we promote
stay-and-go tourism utilizing diverse
local resources such as nature,
history, and culture, including the"Gold Mine of Sado Island," which
has been nominated as a World
Cultural Heritage site, as well as theWorld Agricultural Heritage site and
the Japan Geopark.

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Three assets to be inherited for the
futureEven before the SDGs were proposed, the city has been making
sustainable efforts to pass on to the future the history, culture, nature,and land nurtured by its predecessors. Here, we introduce three of thecity's world-class assets.

１

Gold Mine on Sado Island
From the end of the 16th century to the mid-19th century, Sado Island
was an island of gold-producing mines. Under the control and managementof the Tokugawa Shogunate, the gold mines on Sado Island developed as agold production system different from Europe and the regions under its
influence, while technological exchange with overseas countries waslimited by the isolation policy.
The mines produced gold of world-class quality and quantity (10% ofworld production, the highest purity of 99.54%) through traditional
handicrafts, and the koban produced on Sado Island supported thefinances of the Tokugawa shogunate. The gold mines on Sado Island are arare industrial legacy that show a large scale and continuous gold
production system for more than 250 years, and are well preserved as
ruins and historical landscapes. In addition, various cultures and traditions
brought by people from all over the country blossomed into Sado's uniquemining culture, including performing arts and festivals, which are still
carefully handed down today.
Thus, the gold mines of Sado Island, which are indispensable to thehistory and culture of Sado Island, have been nominated as a domestic
candidate for UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage in 2022, with the aim ofbeing registered in 2024.

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Upper left: Minamisawa hydrophobic
road (remains showing mining
technology of the time)
Upper right: Kyomachi Dori(Townscape of Aikawa, Mining
Town)

Below left: The symbol of Sado Island's gold mines and a mountainDoyu Warido, where the mountain is broken into a V-shape(The remains of the manual digging of the gold vein at that time.
(Remains as a result of manual digging of the gold vein at that time)２

World Agricultural Heritage

The World Agricultural Heritage is a program of the Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to recognize globally important
areas of traditional agriculture, forestry, and fisheries that areinterrelated and integrated with unique traditional agriculture,
forestry, and fisheries that have been passed down overgenerations while adapting to society and the environment,
and with culture, landscape and seascape and agricultural
biodiversity that are closely related and nurtured by suchtraditions. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the
Sado City Agricultural
United Nations (FAO) recognizes regions that are engaged
Heritage Markin traditional agriculture, forestry, and fisheries of global
importance.
Our city is an island so rich in diversity that it has been called "aminiature version of Japan. In 2011, the entire island was recognized as
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Japan's first World Agricultural Heritage site as "Satoyama on Sado Islandin Harmony with the crested ibis" in recognition of its efforts in "farming
methods that nurture living creatures" that take the rice paddies'ecosystem into consideration, beautiful scenery such as terraced rice
fields, and traditional farming culture passed down from generation to
generation, all with the aim of coexisting with the ibis.
Sado City Certified Rice “Toki to Kurasu Sato”
In the beautiful Satoyama of Sado Island, domestic
wild ibis lived until the end of their life. However,
due to overhunting and a decrease in feeding
grounds resulting from the spread of agriculturethat emphasizes efficiency, the domestic wild
crested ibis has disappeared.
Subsequently, in 2008, the release of the crested ibis into the wild was
decided to take place on Sado Island. In order for the crested ibis toreturn to the wild, it is essential to improve rice paddies and otherriparian environments as feeding grounds for the crested ibis. Therefore,the " Certification System of Toki to Kurashi no Sato Zukuri " wasestablished to restore the lost habitat of the crested ibis. The "Nurturing
Creatures Farming Method," a technique for growing rice while securing a
habitat for small creatures, is used to secure a feeding ground for
crested ibis in the rice paddies. Another requirement for certification isthat weeds are cut between rice paddies with a mower instead of using
herbicides. The green rice paddies create a beautiful landscape unique
to Sado, and thanks to the past efforts of the farmers and other relatedparties, many crested ibises are now fluttering in the Sado sky.
Abundant Agricultural, Forestry, and Fishery Products
The world-class Satoyama of Sado Island nurtures a wide variety of living
creatures and produces a wide variety of agricultural and forestry
products. The Satoumi,
influenced by the warm andcold currents that collide
offshore, is also blessed with awide variety of marine
products. Sado Island is also
blessed with traditional "seasonal flavors" that make use of thisabundance of ingredients and the wisdom left to us by our ancestors.
This is the foundation of Sado's food culture, and efforts are underway
to pass on the flavors of the past to the present and the future.
Traditional Performing Arts Passed Down from Generation to Generation
Onidaiko is one of the traditional performing arts of Sado Island. There
are various theories as to its origin, such as that it is a variation of thelion dance, or that it evolved from a musical instrument played by8carpenters at the Aikawa Mine. Onidaiko appear atfestivals held in spring and fall in various parts of
the island. The drummers go from house to housein the community and perform a dance to pray for abountiful harvest and family safety. Onidaiko is a
traditional performing art that still lives on and has
been passed down to the islanders.

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Sado Geopark

The city was recognized as a Japan Geopark in 2013. Surrounded by thesea, Sado Island is rich in nature and has many Satoyama. Sado Island,surrounded by the sea and rich in nature, is home to terraced rice paddies
and seafood, magnificent coastal beauty created by rough seas anduplifting movements of the island, the gold and silver mines, a world-classheritage of the land, coexistence with the Japanese crested ibis, a special
natural treasure, and traditional performing arts such as onidaiko, which
delight visitors.
The City is working to revitalize the region by utilizing three World
Heritage sites: the World Cultural Heritage site on the theme of "Heritage
Sites of Sado Mines with a Focus on Gold," the World Agricultural Heritagesite on the theme of "Satoyama on Sado Island in Harmony with Ibis," andthe Geopark on the theme of "300 million years of travel and human life on
an island of gold and silver where ibis dance". These are not separate, andgold and Satoyama are deeply related to the history of the land (geo) of
Sado Island, leading to the creation of attractive synergies that are notfound in other areas.
The gold and silver veins on Sado were created by volcanic activity that
occurred long ago, long before human habitation. These veins were thenuplifted from the seafloor by subsequent tectonic movements andappeared above ground. Volcanic eruptions and earthquakes can becatastrophic for humans, but it was these major earth changes that gavebirth to the gold mines that have had such a profound impact on thehistory of Sado Island. Our predecessors, with the "blessings of the earth"brought back through time by volcanic activity tens of millions of years
ago, have allowed the culture of mining to flourish, creating a variety ofhistories. In the past, the Sado Gold and Silver Mine, which boasted thelargest output in Japan, attracted many people, and new rice paddies were
widely developed to provide food for these people. Rice paddies spread
across the Kuninaka Plain, which is low and rich in water, and on the gentle
slopes of terraces and landslides that testify to the earth's fluctuations.
9Sado Geopark celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2023. In the next 10
years, with "Enjoy," "Learn," and "Protect" as the pillars of our activities, wewill aim to create a sustainable community while experiencing the historyof the land of Sado and the charms of its nature and culture.

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Social Conditions and Current Situation
Surrounding Sado City
１

Declining population, declining birthrate and aging population
The City's population is declining and aging ahead of the rest of thecountry, and the birth rate is also declining due to the growing trend ofunmarried and late marriages.
In response to the impact of population decline, the city is required tobuild a sustainable society by improving issues such as human resource
shortage, economic burden, decline of local communities, and maintenanceand management of the infrastructure of daily life.

２

Increased awareness of safety and security

As a remote island, it takes time for emergency evacuation andemergency/restoration activities, so it is necessary to create a system thatenables rescue and evacuation as much as possible in the community.
In order to ensure the safety and security of citizens, it is necessary forthe government and local communities to work together to create a safe
and secure community through disaster prevention and disaster mitigation
measures, including the construction of facilities, and the strengthening ofself-help, mutual aid, and public assistance systems.

３

Environmental Considerations

The City relies on fossil fuels transported by sea for its energy needs,
and its self-sufficiency rate in renewable energy is less than 10%. For thisreason, the city has declared itself a "Zero Carbon Island" to reduce its
environmental impact, and aims to achieve virtually zero CO2 emissions
through local production and local consumption of renewable energy.
In addition, the city is committed to coexistence with the Japanesecrested ibis, which once became extinct in the wild, and is working topreserve their habitat through the efforts of volunteers from within andoutside the city.

４

Advances in Information and Communication Technology

The city is facing issues such as young people moving out of the city andaging industrial workers, and therefore, efforts to improve the employment
and working environment and reduce workloads by utilizing information
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and communication technologies are required.
In addition, regional disparities in medical care, education, and otherareas have arisen due to a shortage of human resources caused by ashrinking population and distance restrictions, etc. Therefore, proactive
use of information and communication technology is required to improvethe employment and working environment and increase efficiency inindustry, medicine, and administration.

５

Globalization

The City is working to strengthen its system for accepting and promoting
inbound tourism that takes advantage of its world-class culture andnature, as well as foreign technical interns in industry and welfare.
In order to keep pace with globalization in a wide range of fields,
including industry, business, and culture, the city needs to develop global
human resources with an understanding of Sado's history and culture andthe ability to interact and communicate effectively on the world stage andcontribute to the local community.

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Positioning of this report
This report is the first report to be published on the implementation andfollow-up of the SDGs in Sado City in preparation for the United Nations
High Level Political Forum (HLPF) in July 2024, referring to the process of
the Voluntary Local Review (VLR: Voluntary Local Review), an internationalframework.

This report primarily reports on the progress of the SDGs Future City
initiative, which was selected by the Japanese Cabinet Office in May 2022.

SDG Future Cities are selected from among cities and regions that arepromoting basic and comprehensive initiatives in line with the principles of
the SDGs, especially those with high potential to realize sustainable
development through the creation of new value in the three aspects ofeconomy, society, and environment.

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Vision of Sado City
Basic Philosophy and Future Vision１

Basic Philosophy

A sustainable island where history and culture flourish andpeople and nature coexist in harmony～ An island where everyone, from children to the elderly, can shine with vitality～

Rising dragon terraced

Crested ibis

Onidaiko

rice field at Iwakubi

The city has developed a unique culture that blends diverse cultures as
various people from all over Japan visited the city for the development of
the Sado Gold and Silver Mine. In recent years, the city has beenrecognized for its rich natural, historical, and cultural resources, including
recognition as a World Agricultural Heritage site in 2011 and a Japan
Geopark in 2013.
At the same time, however, depopulation due to a declining population,
the decline of local communities, and a sluggish economy are creating
challenges, and there are concerns about a decline in the human resourcesand vitality that support Sado Island.
Therefore, we aim to create an island where everyone, from children to
the elderly, can shine with vitality, based on the basic principle of "asustainable island where history and culture flourish and people andnature can coexist in harmony.
In formulating the city's Comprehensive Plan, which upholds the basic
philosophy of "a sustainable island where history and culture flourish andpeople and nature coexist in harmony", we conducted studies anddeliberations at the Comprehensive Plan Council of Sado City, which
consists of local citizens, related organizations, and academic experts, andat the internal review organization “Executive Committee of the Sado city
Comprehensive Plan Council”.
14In addition, we received a variety of opinions, including those of thechild-rearing generation and high school students, through questionnaires,workshops, town meetings, and other means of citizen participation, andused them as reference when considering policy measures and initiatives.

２

Vision of the future

A beautiful island where crested ibis dance
We will protect the rich natural environment where crested ibis soar andpromote safe and comfortable urban development.

Okesa Island, an island of culture
We will promote the development of a town where children can havedreams and hopes.

An island overflowing with humanity and kindness
We will promote the creation of a cheerful community where human rights
are respected and there is no discrimination or prejudice.

A bright island of smiles and longevity
We will promote the development of a city where citizens can continue tolive in good health, both physically and mentally.

An island where the sweat of hard work shines
We will support sustainable industries, create employment opportunities,
and promote vibrant community development in the region.

Local SDGs Sado Island Declaration
In 2021, the city held a symposium to realize a"Circulating and Ecological Sphere (CES)" also known
as a local SDG, which was attended by approximately
230 people from businesses, financial institutions,agriculture-related organizations, high schools anduniversities, and government officials on the island.
At this symposium, we pledged to promote efforts
toward the creation of a regional recycling symbiosis
zone to create a virtuous cycle for the environment,
economy, and society, and to endorse the "SDG
Japan Model" declaration, and to become a model
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region in Japan for solving various social issues and creating a sustainableregion from Sado, a remote island that has achieved the return of theextinct crested ibis to the wild. The "Local SDGs Sado Island Declaration"
was made, pledging to promote the resolution of various social issues andthe creation of a sustainable region as a model region in Japan.
Using this day as a starting point, we have begun our efforts to create a
Circulating and Ecological Sphere (CES), take on the challenge of
becoming an SDG future city, and become an advanced problem-solving
region in order to realize the future vision set forth in the Comprehensive
Plan.

Column１

Relationship between the Comprehensive Plan
and the SDGs

In order to realize asustainable society as
stated in the SDGs,
the City has clarified
the relationshipbetween the 17 goalsof the SDGs and eachof the policies listed in
the Comprehensive
Plan.

(Excerpts from the Sado City Comprehensive
Plan Documentation)16

Priority goals and indicators for vision
realization
Linkage between priority, cross-cutting initiatives and sectorspecific measures
In order to realize the basic principles and steadily implement policies toaddress the city's pressing issues of population decline and issues uniqueto remote islands, we have established five "Priority and Cross-cutting
Initiatives" that are positioned as cross-sectoral measures that should befocused on from a global perspective, an educational perspective, and theadvancement of information and communication technology. The five
"Priority Cross-sectoral Initiatives" are as follows.

１

Support for child rearing and promotion of health and longevity

２

Promote industrial development, immigration and settlement

３

Strengthen disaster prevention and mitigation

４

Promotion of regional circulation and symbiosis

５

Realization of a Symbiotic Society

In addition, a close examination and analysis of
Sado City's past plans, etc., using text analysis andother methods, revealed that in order for Sado City
to develop sustainably, it is essential to create avirtuous cycle among major sectors, such asconservation and sustainable use of natural
resources (environmental aspect), revitalizationof the economic sector centering on agriculture
and tourism (economic aspect), and promotion of
immigration and settlement and realization of a
symbiotic society (social aspect). The analysis also
found that the five priority and cross-sectoral
Relationship between Priority and Cross-cutting
initiatives and policies outlined in theInitiatives 2 (Industrial Development and Promotion ofcomprehensive plan are interrelated and effective
Immigration and Settling in Sado Island) and each policy
measures for achieving this goal. (Source:(excerpts from the Sado City Comprehensive Plan).
Institute for Global Environmental Strategies(IGES))
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SDGs Future City Plan
In order to achieve its basic philosophy, the city established the SDGs
Future City Plan, which sets priority SDG goals and targets and includes
actions to be implemented, and was selected as an SDGs Future City in
May 2022.
In March 2023, Sado City enacted the "Sado City Ordinance for the
Promotion of Sustainable Island Development through the Creation of a
Circulating and Ecological Sphere (CES)" as a common guideline topromote the SDGs throughout the island, deepening awareness of its
selection as an SDG Future City by the government, and is promoting SDG
initiatives together with citizens.
（Economy）
Goal, target number

KPI

8.3 Indicator: Gross city product9.2 Current（Year2018）：
Year 2030：
9.b 172,380 million yen
180,000 million yen
Indicator: Tourism consumption per capita
Current（Year 2020）：

Year 2030：

41,408 yen
Over55,000 yen
8.9
Indicator: Number of overnight stays in the city
12.bYear2030：
Current（Year 2020）：
Over 550,000 person189,210 person-nightsnightsIndicator: Number of population movements insocial dynamics

8.8
10.7
Current（Year 2020）：
12.8▲180 people

Year 2030：
0 person（Society）
Goal, target number

KPI
Indicator: Number of births

1.3
4.2
Current（Year 2020）：
5.1
245 people
16.2

18

Year 2030：
Over 287people

Goal, target number

KPI

Indicator: Healthy life expectancy (average period
of independence requiring 2 or more years of
care)
3.8
Average for males and females
Current（Year 2020）：
80.3 years old

11.4

4.7

Year 2030：
Over 81.0 years old

Indicator: Number of World Heritage properties
maintained
Current（Year 2020）：

Year 2030：

１ caseOver ８ cases

Indicator: Number of participants in delivery
classes, public lectures, etc.
Current（Year 2020）：
4,190 people

Year 2030：
Over 5,300 people

Indicator: Percentage of women appointed to city
5.5 agencies, advisory councils, etc.
12.8 Current（Year 2020）：
Year 2030：
26.2％

Over 40.0％

Indicator: Percentage of those who would like to
4.7 continue to live on Sado Island in the future10.2 Current（Year 2020）：
Year 2030：
78.4％

Over 90.0％（Environment）
Goal, target number

KPI
Indicator: Number of crested ibis established in
the wild
Year 2030：

15.4

Current（Year 2020）：
484

Ibis not overpopulated,maintaining genetic
diversity andpopulation growthtrendsIndicator: Number of people engaged in paddy
rice cultivation without pesticides and chemical
2.4
fertilizers (cumulative total)
15.4
Current（Year 2020）：
Year 2030：
39 people

Over 60 people

19Goal, target number

KPI

Indicator: Amount of renewable energy installed
7.2 in the city
9.4 Current（Year 2019）：
Year 2030：
5,968kW

25,653kW

Indicator: Recycling rate
12.5 Current（Year 2020）：
17.9％

Year 2030：
Over 22.6％

Indicator: Greenhouse gas (CO2) emissions in the
city
13.3

Current（Year 2018）：
472 thousand t-CO2

Year 2030：
Under 320 thousand
t-CO2

Sado City Ordinance for the Promotion of Sustainable
Island Development through the Creation of a
Circulating and Ecological Sphere (CES)

https://www.city.sado.niigata.jp/soshiki/2005/48113.html

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Municipal SDGs Model Projects
In May 2023, the City was selected as a Municipal SDGs Model Project
as a particularly leading initiative among SDGs Future Cities.
The city's Municipal SDGs Model Project aims to integrate and improve
the three aspects of economy, society, and environment by integrating
major economic, social, and environmental projects to realize a recyclingoriented society, a decarbonized society, and a society that inherits its
history and culture, making the most of Sado Island's world-class goldmine, coexistence with the Japanese crested ibis, a special natural
treasure, and history and culture inherited from our predecessors. The city
aims to improve the three aspects of the economy, society, and theenvironment in an integrated manner.
In addition, the City has been selected as a decarbonization leading
region in June 2022, and is working to realize the SDGs Future City and adecarbonized society.
Main economic projects ― Revitalization of local industry and creation of anisland that continues to be chosen as a tourist destination ―・Living in Sado's unique history and culture and developing an environmentthat accommodates diverse work styles
・Attracting companies and human resources by promoting
entrepreneurship and start-ups that stimulate the local economy
・Sustainable tourism utilizing the ibis, forests, villages,
rivers, oceans, land, and islands as a whole
Main social projects ― Creating a safe, comfortable, and lively community ―・Strengthening disaster resilience, creating a safe environment forchildbirth and child rearing, and improving the convenience ofgovernment services
・Fostering children's love for their hometown and ability to survive in theinformation society
・Preservation and transmission of historical culture
Major Environmental Projects ― Conserve biodiversity and break awayfrom dependence on fossil fuels ―・Securing the feeding ground for crested ibis and biodiversity ricecultivation
・Installation of solar power generation equipment in public facilities
・Promote lifestyle change toward a decarbonized society (my bottle,
3Rs, food loss reduction)

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Integrated approach linking economic, social, and environmental aspects
The City will promote initiatives that lead to solutions to issues in eachof the economic, social, and environmental fields, and by implementing
integrated initiatives that link the three aspects, the City aims to create ahigher level of synergy in each field in a bidirectional manner.
This initiative will be undertaken in collaboration with a diverse range of
people, including government officials, businesses, and citizens, with theaim of becoming a self-sustaining business in the future.

Synergy
Economy → Society: Increase in UI turnover, regional vitality
Society → Environment: Raising environmental awareness on the island
Environment → Economy: Environmental Island Branding
Society → Economy: Increase in the number of people interacting with theisland due to its safe and attractive location
Environment → Society Comfortable town with renewable energy anddisaster prevention
Economy → Environment Reduction of CO2 emissions through renewableenergy and energy conservation

Collaboration with diverse stakeholders
The Sado Island Nature Symbiosis Lab was
established in November 2022 with the aim of
becoming a platform for co-creation by diverse
stakeholders from industry, government,
academia, and the private sector on and off theisland. A project has been initiated to develop
industries and enhance people's lives by taking
advantage of the city's rich natural resources.
In addition, the city has established an original
SDGs Future City Sado logo and is recruiting SDGs
partners to promote Sado Island both domesticallyand internationally and to create local partners.

Sado Island Nature
Coexistence Lab Logo Mark

SDGs Future City Sado

Sado SDGs Partner Inauguration
Ceremony

A good cycle of self-discipline

With the recommendation for registration as a World Cultural Heritagesite and other factors supporting this move, and with tourism demand
expected to increase in the future, we will consider securing voluntaryfinancial resources, such as lodging tax and environmental cooperation
funds, as a means of seeking cooperation for environmental
conservation on the islands.
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Promotion Structure and Cooperation
with Stakeholders
Promotion Structure
In October 2021, we established the "Sado Future Creation and Strategy
Headquarters," a policy-making body headed by the mayor, and establisheda system to work on sustainable regional development through thecreation of new value in the three aspects of economy, society, andenvironment.
In April 2022, the agency organization was reorganized from a divisional
system to a departmental system, and after the change, each department
head, etc. became a member of the headquarters. Under the leadership of
the head of the headquarters, the members of the headquarters shareissues and coordinate to achieve synergy in each policy toward the ideal
vision for 2030.

〔 Role 〕① Integrated promotion of the Sado City Comprehensive Plan andother plans, etc.
② Agency-wide promotion of sustainable regional development for
future creation③ Comprehensive coordination of sustainable community development
for future creation25

Collaboration with Stakeholders
In order to seek opinions and advice from a wide range of experts andcitizens in the integrated promotion of the Sado City Comprehensive Planand other plans related to important measures, we are promoting
collaboration with stakeholders both within and outside the community.
（1）Sado Future Creation and Strategy Promotion Council〔Role〕 Promotion and verification of comprehensive plans, etc.
〔Structure〕 Industry and financial institution officials, representatives of local andregional organizations, officials of relevant government agencies, and academic
experts, officials and academics.

（2）Council for the Promotion of Creating Villages Coexisting with Crested Ibis
〔Role〕 Preserving biodiversity by promoting agricultural methods that nurture living
creatures, etc.
〔Structure〕 Agricultural cooperatives, Niigata Regional Development Bureau,
regional organizations, etc.

（3）Sado Education Consortium〔Role〕 Developing human resources for the future of the region and providing
better learning opportunities for children〔Structure〕 Elementary and junior high school principals’ association, high school
principals' association, universities, industry representatives, Niigata Prefecture
Regional Development Bureau, etc.

（4）Sado City Decarbonization Promotion Council〔Role〕 Discussions on projects and initiatives to realize a decarbonized society,etc.
〔Structure〕 Energy-related businesses, industry and financial institutions, experts,
and officials of relevant government agencies（5）Sado Island MaaS Study Group〔Role〕 To establish a diverse transportation system utilizing ICT for new mobility
services in tourist areas and depopulated areas, and to work on inter-policy
coordination.
〔Structure〕 Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Public Safety
Commission, road and port administrators, public transportation operators, public
transportation user groups, tourism exchange organizations, academic experts, etc.

（6）Sado City Digital Utilization Promotion Deliberation Council〔Role〕 Promotion of initiatives for building a digital society and discussions related
to the 'Sado City Digitalization Vision and Plan’〔Structure〕 Individuals with academic experience or specialized knowledge, staff
from related organizations, and citizen recruited through open call.

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Column２

Communication to the International Community

The City has been communicating its commitment to the SDGs Future
Cities and decarbonized society to the international community through its
network of World Agricultural Heritage sites, which were registered for the
first time in Japan in 2011, international conferences, global network of
local governments, participation in international frameworks, anddeclarations of commitment to international targets.
World Agricultural Heritage Site (GIAHS) recognition (2011)

This system was established to recognize globally important areas thathave rich ecosystems, beautiful landscapes, traditional culture, andperforming arts nurtured by agriculture, forestry, and fisheries inharmony with nature, and to pass them on to the next generation.
Join ICLEI (ICLEI) Council of Local Authorities for Sustainable Cities and Regions(2022)

A global network of local governments joined by cities and regions
committed to creating a sustainable future
World Summit Pledge / Signed to Japan (2022)
An international framework in which the heads of local governments
pledge to work against climate change, to create sustainable andresilient communities, and to contribute to achieving the goals of theParis Agreement.
Nature Positive Declaration (2022)
Statement of the City's activities as a first step to halt the loss of
biodiversity and put it on a recovery track.
International Conference on Agriculture for Biodiversity ICEBA 2023 (2023)

International Conference on Agriculture with the theme of "Future ofAgriculture" based on the SDGs and decarbonization, organic
products, and farming methods that care for living creatures.

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Specific Initiatives
Creating a model of energy x disaster prevention x tourism
The Nishimikawa area, where diverse actors from industry, academia, andgovernment are active, is an EV recharging spot vacuum area and faces the risk ofpower outages and village isolation due to fallen bamboo following heavy
snowfall. In order to solve environmental, social, and economic issues, industry,
academia, and government are working together to create a model of energy x
disaster prevention x tourism by installing solar-powered EV recharging facilities,
utilizing unmaintained bamboo, and promoting tourism by utilizing the time people
spend waiting to recharge their EVs.

EV recharging using solar power generation and the development ofelectricity supply spots using storage batteries in the event of a disasterEV charging facilities with 100% renewable energy utilizing solar power
generation have been installed. Electricity generated by solar power will be used
(1) to recharge EVs and (2) stored in storage batteries for use at power supply
spots available to citizens in the event of a disaster.

Bamboo chip pavement for new use of bamboo
Heavy snowfall in December 2022 caused obstruction of snow removal on city
roads and power outages due to fallen bamboo. Since the number ofopportunities to utilize bamboo as a resource has decreased and the number of
unimproved bamboo forests has increased, which is one of the reasons for thefallen bamboo, we will demonstrate bamboo chip pavement,
in which bamboo is converted into chips and used aspavement material, as a new way of utilizing bamboo.
Bamboo chip pavement has excellent cushioning anddurability, weed control and heat resistance, and also aims
to recycle bamboo from unimproved bamboo forests as aresource in the region, which is one of the local issues.

竹

土

固化材

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Promoting tourism by utilizing EV charging waiting time
The area around the EV charging facilities is a scenic spot with the Sea
of Japan stretching out before you and a beautiful sunset, allowing you torelax and enjoy the scenery while waiting to charge your EV.

While waiting for the battery to charge,
you can enjoy the beautiful sunset over Mano Bay.
Photo provided by OBATA SAKE BREWERY Co., Ltd.

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Establishment of institutions for the formation of an autonomous
virtuous circle, etc.
１

Sado SDGs Partners
Established in 2022 to recruit businesses that can implement SDG
initiatives together with the City to strengthen partnerships toward therealization of a sustainable city. Currently 100 companies are registered(as of March 2024); the goal is to have 200 companies registered by
2030.

２

Sado Island Nature Symbiosis Lab.
It will function as a platform for human resource development andnetworking to create diverse projects that contribute to solving local
issues, such as study sessions on the utilization of bamboo resources,
corporate partnership roundtables to promote corporate exchange andcollaboration, and SDGs dissemination events.

３

Lodging tax and environmental cooperation fees
We will consider ways to secure voluntary financial resources, including
methods to seek cooperation for environmental conservation on theislands, in order to capture the expected increase in tourism demand,
which will be supported by the recommendation for registration as a
World Cultural Heritage site.

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Conclusion

In March 2024, our city will celebrate the 20th anniversary of its
municipal organization.

It is very moving that we are reaching the goal of registering the gold
mines on Sado Island as a World Heritage site, which we have been working
on for many years, and I would like to express my respect to all those
involved.

We will communicate the cultural and historical values that Sado prides
itself on both domestically and internationally, and in cooperation with thenational and prefectural governments, we will take on the challenge ofrealizing the registration of the island as a World Cultural Heritage site. We
will work to transform Sado Island from an advanced problem-solving
center to an advanced problem-solving center, while strengthening
cooperation with the national and prefectural governments, businesses
and universities on and off the island.

In response to the issues surrounding the local community, we will work
together and cooperate with various stakeholders who have a relationshipwith our city toward the achievement of the SDGs, bringing together new
perspectives, wisdom, experience, and resources, and tackling themwithout being bound by conventional frameworks.

31

Reference
SDGs Future City Overall Plan Status of achievement of initiatives
contributing to the promotion of municipal SDGs As of the end of FY2022（Planning period 2022-2024）

32

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Sustainable Development Goals Report

July 2024

Planning and Editing : General Policy Division, Planning
Department, Sado City, Niigata Prefecture
Issuer: Sado City, Niigata Prefecture
232 Chiｇusa, Sado-shi, Niigata 952-1292
TEL: 0259-63-3111 (main)34