The Image of nature in contemporary urbanized Japanese society with focus on eco-tourism as one of the possible spheres of exchange between Japan and the Baltic States

Abstract

In this paper I would like to touch upon some of the problems in Japanese urbanities first in order to illustrate why the Japanese government is taking active steps in environmental protection and why Japan could be interested in cooperation projects in this field. Next, I would like to draw a few examples how the Japanese government, producers and local activists are putting efforts in nature protection. Finally, I will give some ideas about how both nations could cooperate in this field, particularly in the industry of eco-tourism.