Saving the Japanese Giant Salamander & Environmental Advocacy in Japan Pt.2 with Richard Pearce / Sustainable Daisen

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This is the second half of Episode 44 of the podcast, my cha with Richard Pearce of Sustainable Daisen. Originally from the UK, Richard founded and operates Sustainable Daisen – an NPO dedicated to the protection of the Japanese Giant Salamander and effective conservation of its habitat. Richard and I discussed the salamander, the threats it is facing and the tremendous work of Sustainable Daisen in the first part of the interview.

In the second half of our interview Richard speaks about the state of environmental conservation in Japan including this critique of farming practices, animal husbandry, waste management and upcoming projects with Sustainable Daisen. Richard is critical of many policies and practices in Japan and in doing so, positions himself a vocal foreign advocate in a society that discourages people from speaking up. As such I think this part of our chat reveals important realities of Japan that will not be of surprise to anyone living here but may surprise anyone who does not – especially given the often repeated trope the deep connection and respect Japanese have for nature.

Toward the end of our chat, Richard reference’s the video ‘Bad Boy Monk: A Conservation Documentary’ about his work in Tottori along with the article ‘Japan was the Future but it’s Stuck in the Past’ by Rupert Wingfield-Hayes.I hope that my conversation with Richard sparks your interest in what he and Sustainable Daisen are doing and that he and the salamanders act as ambassadors (of sorts) for Tottori, and entice you to visit. For more information, visit Sustainable Daisen's website and follow them on Instagram and Facebook. You can also learn more about experiences led by Richard on his Bushido Japan website. I hope you enjoy!

Outland Japan is a bi-weekly podcast hosted by Peter Carnell - a freelance tour guide based in northern Nagano – that transports you to rural, regional and the wilds of Japan in pursuit of stories that lie outside the neon hum of Tokyo and golden trimmings of Kyoto. Stories of travel, life and culture beyond the big cities. Follow the show on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. Please note, prior to October 2024, Outland Japan was named Snow Country Stories Japan.

Chapters

1. Episode Introduction (00:00:00)

2. The State of Conservation in Japan (00:02:46)

3. Farming, Animal Husbandry & Waste Management (00:06:50)

4. Reaction to a Critical Foreign Voice in Japan (00:14:52)

5. Sustainable Daisen's Next BIG Projects (00:20:20)

6. The Need for Generational Change & Activism (00:28:18)

7. Episode Close (00:35:32)

64 episodes

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