The preservation of important rural japanese cultural landscapes - Considering the warabino paddy field as an example

Since the Law for the Protection of Cultured Properties was amended in 2005 to include "cultural landscapes" in the cultural property protection system, the Japanese government and people have paid attention to the country's cultural landscapes. Currently, Japan has 30 important cultural landscapes, and the benefits brought by these cultural landscapes are extremely valuable to local communities in the context of environmental conservation, economic development, and social education. Therefore, the objective of this study was to explore an extremely significant historical and cultural landscape of Japan. We selected the Warabino paddy field in Ochi, Saga Prefecture, and a site that has been classified as an important cultural landscape, to explore how the protection of the terraced paddy field influences the local biological and ecological conservation, social education, and economy. Besides depending on laws and regulations, the residents' concept of cultural landscape preservation must be continually strengthened. In addition, by promoting terraced paddy field rice production technology, the continuity of traditional arts and workmanship can be ensured while allowing local residents to develop a local identity.