Tsushima is located 60 km northwest of Iki, and is the beginning of Japan, but it is the closest island to the Korean Peninsula at only 53 km, and is a remote island with international characteristics. The size of the island is 710 km2, making it the third largest island in Japan after Sado Island and Amami Oshima. The island is only 18km from east to west, but 82km from north to south. A long time ago, the Japanese archipelago was connected to the continent, and traces of this can still be seen in the flora and fauna of Tsushima. Due to its location, it was destined to act as a bridge between the continent and Japan. As the island is recorded in ``Gishiwajinden,'' it has been a point of contact with the continent since ancient times, and has been a key hub for traffic.
Tsushima's population is 49,000, but it is on the decline, with a noticeable outflow of young people, and is facing problems of depopulation and aging. The island is made up of six towns, and the administrative, cultural, and educational center is Izuhara Town, located to the south. The town has a population of 177,000 people and an area of 177 km2. From there to the north, there are towns, towns, Mine towns, towns, Kamitsuma towns. Most of Tsushima is mountainous and there are very few plains. Therefore, there are few roads and they are winding, making transportation between towns physically difficult, which is an impediment to the development of the island. The only artery is National Route 382. The scenery of the island is so beautiful that it has been designated as a national park along with Iki. In particular, the bay in the center is a drowning valley, the cove has a complex topography, and is graceful, and the view from the slightly elevated Kamimizaka slope is breathtakingly beautiful.
Next, let's enumerate the issues and problems that Tsushima has and explore ways to address them.
① Like Iki, the population is flat or slightly decreasing, and depopulation is slowly progressing. The aging of the population is also the same as in Iki. In addition to proactively promoting local industry, encouraging young people to make a U-turn by locating new industries, and providing employment opportunities for young people, we must carry out drastic ``island reform.''
②90% of Tsushima's total area is covered by mountains with heights of 200 to 600 meters, and there is little flat land. Furthermore, it is extremely difficult to carve out a mountain and form a city due to topographical and geological conditions (mostly sedimentary rock). Therefore, in order to connect each area with an expressway as a main transportation route, tunnels should be built through the mountains. Also, by making full use of this tunnel technology, we will create a ``mountain city'' by hollowing out mountains and steep mountains. Alternatively, areas where the top of a mountain is a series of hills can form a ``Hill Top Town'' with a great view. In doing so, it is necessary to create a development method unique to Tsushima. Furthermore, granite, which is produced by hollowing out the interior of the island, is in extremely high demand on the mainland.
③Tsushima is located at approximately the same distance from the mainland and South Korea. Currently, the country's location near South Korea is not being taken advantage of. It is not hard to imagine that the opening of the Japan-Korea Tunnel will propel Tsushima into an extremely advantageous position on the international stage. From now on, we need to establish a ``super international region'' concept to position this region as a ``super international region.''
④ Similar to the Iki region, the Tsushima region also exhibits complexity in terms of administrative power, economic zone, and geographical zone. If Nagasaki Prefecture is to remain in the same position as the Goto Islands, the question will be how far Tsushima, which is at the forefront of internationalization, will be able to withstand prefectural government in the future. The more the Japan-Korea tunnel becomes apparent, the more important Tsushima will become for Nagasaki Prefecture as an ``island to the continent.'' It is necessary to consider from an administrative and economic perspective how Tsushima can easily appear on the international cypress stage.
⑤Among the many beautiful zones on Tsushima, Aso Bay in the center of the island is by far the most spectacular. We should consider developing the area around the bay and actively utilizing the scenery while making the most of nature. Pearl farming in Aso Bay will be promoted as a local industry, and will also be positioned as an important tourism resource if the country becomes international.
⑥The development of an airport that can take off and land large jet aircraft is essential for Tsushima's hyper-regionalization and internationalization.
Considering the above characteristics and challenges of Tsushima, let's consider what kind of image Tsushima should have as a ``country'' rather than a region when the Japan-Korea Tunnel opens.
First, let's list the image that we want the new TSUSHIMA to have.
① International/Social
② Cultural/Academic
③ Extraordinary/Non-Japanese (Exotic)
It is.
Due to the topography and geology of Tsushima, it is almost impossible to develop the entire area, so it is better to select priority areas for base development.
Candidate sites for priority development areas include:
① Izuhara/Kamimizaka district (Izuhara Town)
② Aso Bay Outer Zone (Mitsushima Town, Toyotama Town)
③ Hitakatsu District (Kamitsushima Town)
④ Kaijin District (area around Kaijin Shrine that straddles Mine Town and Kamigata Town) (spanning six towns), which also includes the Tutu area.
Now, let's randomly list specific projects that should be attracted.
① International Convention Center
International conference hall, hotels, various sports facilities, health facilities, shopping facilities.
②International Medical Center
International Comprehensive Adult Disease Medical Facility.
It will become a mecca for research and development on intractable diseases of adults that are common throughout the world, including cancer research in response to an aging society. A medical school, affiliated hospital, and long-term care facility will also be established. ③ International Life Science Center
This will be a place where researchers from all over the world come together to conduct joint research on research and development at the intersection of natural science and social science, and in areas that are most closely related to human life.
For example, interferon research.
④ Marine sports club facilities centered around a marina and accommodation facilities will be established in conjunction with the functions of marine leisure
bases The marina will have an ultra-luxury image, mainly for large cruisers, and will be fully equipped with facilities that will allow sailing to high-class marinas around the world (Greece, Spain, etc.).
The suitability of each facility to be attracted to the above candidate sites is approximately as follows.
① Izuhara, Kamimizaka, Mametsu area
marine leisure base (Izuhara is the center of the whole area)
② Asamo Bay Outer Zone
International Convention Center
③ Hitakatsu District
International Medical Center
④ Ina/Kaishin District
International Life Science Center
Of these, ③ and ④ are development of a limited base, but ① and ② are likely to be regional development that covers a fairly wide range. In particular, when it comes to establishing a marina, it will be necessary to significantly artificially and proactively change the existing form. In consideration of the redevelopment of the central area of Izuhara, a waterfront with a marina will be developed and a group of hotels will be constructed. In addition, the international convention facility built around Aso Bay in ② will be the Kyushu region's international highlight.
With the opening of the Japan-Korea Tunnel, Iki will become a part of Kyushu, becoming part of the Japanese mainland, and will be positioned as a ``suburb'' of Fukuoka and Karatsu cities, and will become a ``dream resort residential area.'' On the other hand, due to its distance from the mainland and the handicap of its topography, Tsushima will not become a residential area or become a mainland, but will instead be drawn toward the mainland and become more international. Development based on the premise of internationalization will not be a one-dimensional project, but a base development, and a variety of methods will be used.
In any case, both islands will be reborn as New Islands. Therefore, I would like to enumerate the development requirements for creating a new island common to both islands.
① Creating an island of people and hearts, and town development. Rather than money and goods taking the lead, people, especially local people, must work together, pool their knowledge, and always take the lead in development.
② Infrastructure development will not progress easily unless financial assistance and cooperation are encouraged at the national, prefectural, and local government levels. In order to introduce various systems, it is necessary to thoroughly plan ahead.
③Public funds should be used primarily for infrastructure development, and for the construction of facilities, the islanders will have to do it on their own or rely on the vitality of external private companies. The key to development is how to guide ``private activities.''
④Development using the "third sector approach" through public-private cooperation is also an effective means. In particular, for housing development in Iki, a semi-governmental, semi-private organization such as the Iki Resort Development Corporation would be ideal for creating the ideal town.
⑤ To build international facilities (particularly in the case of Tsushima), it is necessary to introduce funds at the country and company level from other countries. Attracting foreign companies is also a possibility. Furthermore, lower airfares, which are currently being reviewed, are essential for the development of Iki and Tsushima.
⑥ “Development of the mind” is an urgent need. The realization of the Japan-Korea tunnel will inevitably call into question the dignity of the Japanese people as international citizens. It is necessary to ``develop the mind'' and ``internationalize the mind'' not only of the people of both islands, but of all Japanese people. It is essential to make efforts to change the Japanese character and system, which is closed to foreigners, to one that is open to the outside world.
Tsushima City
Official website of the city.
Administrative information, statistical data, and event information. Tsushima leopard cat information. http://www.city.tsushima.nagasaki.jp/
Development and prospects of the Iki/Tsushima region
Overview of the Japan-Korea tunnel
