I gave a lecture to the incoming freshman class of the Tokyo University of Broadcasting Arts speaking to budding TV producers about the Media's responsibility in creating our culture's future relationship with nature. So on and so forth. Everyday for four weeks. The biggest event of the tour occurred in Muroran, located on the southern tip of the northern island of Hokkaido. Traditional Industries in the area dependent on logs and minerals are now on the verge of running out of resources.
Unemployment is up.
But hope is on the way in the form of a billion dollar tunnel recently completed that connects Hokkaido to the main Japanese island of Honshu. Muroran is located right on the main highway that connects the tunnel to the northern capitol city of Sapporo. Tourism is being touted as the next wave of business for Hokkaido. But not just any tourism. The civic leaders of Muroran are hoping to establish their town as the whalewatching center of Northern Japan.