Japan's ‘Resort Archipelago’: Creating Regions of Fun, Pleasure, Relaxation, and Recreation

Abstract

Changes have occurred in Japanese regional development policy to accommodate the decline in production and commercial activities. Initially, the thrust was on using high-tech activities to promote regional development within an emerging information society. Subsequently, this strategy has been complemented by a policy of regional development based on the leisure and construction industries. Before this policy is outlined attention is focused on examining a conceptual framework for tourism urbanisation and past resort development in Japan. Then the key features of the Comprehensive Regional Resort Preparation Plan, 1987 and its implementation are detailed with reference to case studies in Tohoku, Kanto, and Kyushu and Okinawa. An analysis is also undertaken of key resort facilities with particular reference to golf course development and theme parks. The relevance of concepts fashioned for tourism urbanisation in explaining tourism-led regional development is also considered. Apart from underlining the way in which resorts are blurring the distinction between urban and regional activities the task of monitoring Japanese resort development is highlighted.