Aji Island

Aji Island (網地島, Ajishima) is an island in the Pacific Ocean, southwest of the Oshika Peninsula and in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.

Aji Island
Native name:
網地島
Aji Island
Geography
LocationPacific Ocean
Administration
Japan
PrefectureMiyagi
CityIshinomaki

History

Tools have been excavated on the island that would suggest there has been human settlement for at least 2000 years. Aji Island is one of the first locations that marked a regular relationship between Japan and Russian when the local citizens traded with a Russian expedition.[1][2]

March 2011 earthquake

The epicenter of the major Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan on 11 March 2011 was located off the coast of Aji Island and Miyagi Prefecture. The Tōhoku region, including Aji island, suffered serious damage and further reduced the number of residents on an island already suffering from depopulation. The locals are now trying to rebuild the island and increase population levels.[3]

Agriculture is the main focus of the island's rejuvenation. Locals encourage agriculture and many of them have worked the fields themselves. The goal is for local farmers to make a living with their agriculture.[4]

Principal products

Produce grown on the island includes sweet potatoes. With an aging population doing the farming, it is difficult to find young people who want to take up the profession. The Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami was devastating to the island's economy. An organization called "ABE" was formed, with the "A" standing for agriculture and the "BE" standing for benefit. It is also a play on words and means "Let's Go". A representative of ABE, Abe Takahiro, has said that it is through agriculture that the island will be revitalized and the goal of the organization is self-sufficiency through agriculture.[5]

A variety of fish and seafood are harvested in the waters around the island, including salmon and sea urchin. On July 4, 2014, the sale of Ginzake salmon caught in local waters was reallowed. It was first allowed in 2007 and proved to be popular and profitable. After the 2011 earthquake, it was stopped.[6]

Medical care

There is only one hospital on Aji Island: Amishoiin. It is a former primary school that was convented for medical care. Caring for a rapidly aging population requires consistent medical care and running the hospital is a challenge, despite the need.[7][8]

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gollark: I've heard good things about approval voting and score voting, which have the advantage of being very simple.
gollark: Yes, that is a problem.
gollark: Also, you can't actually convey much information through voting; there are probably, what, four choices at most, two of which are remotely serious. That's *one bit*.

References
  1. Ishinomaki city. (2014, June 11). Ajishima no shoukai - Ishinomaki shi (An introduction of Aji island by Ishinomaki city). Retrieved: http://www.city.ishinomaki.lg.jp/cont/10153000/0050/3640/3640.html [July 19, 2014]
  2. Ishinomaki city. (2014, June 11). Ajishima no shoukai - Ishinomaki shi (An introduction of Aji island by Ishinomaki city). Retrieved: http://www.city.ishinomaki.lg.jp/cont/10153000/0050/3640/3640.html [July 19, 2014]
  3. Hiroyuki, O. (2014, March 29).Tyoukoureika no shima “Ajishima” ha yomigaeruka(Can Aji Island - which is turning gray - quickly reinvent itself?), TOYOKEIZAI ONLINE. Retrieved: http://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/33838 [July 21, 2014].
  4. Hiroyuki, O. (2014, March 29).Tyoukoureika no shima “Ajishima” ha yomigaeruka(Can Aji island which is turning gray very quickly rebirth?), TOYOKEIZAI ONLINE. Retrieved: http://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/33838 [July 21, 2014].
  5. Hiroyuki, O.(2014, March 29) Choukoureika no shima”Ajishima” ha yomigaerunoka (Can Aji island which is turning gray very quickly rebirth?), TOYOKEIZAI ONLINE. Retrieved: http://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/33838 [July 22, 2014]
  6. Yokadoburand”Ajishimasanginnzake”hukkatu　４nenburi(Yokado`s brand GINZAKE revivaled for the first time for four years). (2014,May 29). KAHOKU SHINPO. Retrieved: http://www.kahoku.co.jp/tohokunews/201405/20140528_12051.html Archived 2014-09-03 at the Wayback Machine [July 22, 2014]
  7. Yokokura,Y.(2014,January 29).Kakaritskei wo chuushinntoshita iryoutaiseino saikouchiku ga hitsuyou(We need reconstruction of medical systems with family doctor),AGING Web.Retrieved:https://nikkeibp.co.jp/aging/article/innovator/20140130/01/03.html%5B%5D[May 9,2014]. Okada,H.(2014,March 29).Choukoureika no shima Ajishima ha yomigaeruka(Will the hyper aging islan-Aji island-rebirth?),Toyo Keizai online,pp.3-4.Retrieved:http://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/33838[may 9,2014]
  8. Yokokura,Y.(2014,January 29).Kakaritskei wo chuushinntoshita iryoutaiseino saikouchiku ga hitsuyou(We need reconstruction of medical systems with family doctor),AGING Web.Retrieved:https://nikkeibp.co.jp/aging/article/innovator/20140130/01/03.html%5B%5D[May 9,2014].

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