The Land of the Love Princess

A prefecture in Japan is like a province in the Philippines. The name of this Japanese prefecture we recently visited is Ehime. This prefecture is located in Shikoku which is in the southern portion of Japan.

Shikokuhas Japanese characters that refer to "four (shi) countries (koku)!" The character "e"in Ehime means love while "hime" means princess. Ehime, literally translated, is the land of the "Princess of Love" or the "Love Princess!" It is translated as "beautiful maiden" as well.

It is not only Ehime's beautiful name and her rich past that makes one fall in love with the place.

There are the famous mikan (oranges) of Ehime. Of various sizes and shapes, all are so deliciously sweet, it becomes difficult to appreciate mikan elsewhere after having been treated to the rich varieties grown in Ehime!

Who will not fall in love some more with Ehime after tasting the very fresh seafood from the rich fishing grounds of the surrounding Seto naikai (Seto inland sea)? Not only is this famous Seto Inland Sea a sight to behold. From the past to the present, Seto Naikai has provided abundantly for the needs of the people of the island.

Farmers and fisherfolk continue to stay in the rural areas where they are blessed with fertile lands and fishing grounds. They have the rich farms, the vast sea and high mountains to smile about!

No one who has visited Ehime will miss the content disposition of the rural residents. The reasons are right before everyone's eyes to behold and appreciate! No wonder Ehime continues to draw in tourists, especially those who particularly enjoy Ehime's Onsen (hot springs), most especially the very popular Dogo Onsen!

In Matsuyama, the capital of Ehime, there are various industries engaged in shipbuilding, chemicals, oil refining, and paper and textile products. Expectedly, pollution and other environmental problems have plagued these industrial sites in the past but, at present, except for a few areas where the smell of pollution persists, strict implementation of environmental laws continue to be required of industries and closely monitored not only by local government but by other concerned stakeholders as well.

In one rural area of Matsuyama that we visited, we saw, for ourselves how clean the sea water was despite certain industries that have located along the seashore. Despite regular daily ferry boats as well as gasoline-based fishing boats plying the sea, fresh, safe fish continue to abound in the area.

That is certainly another lesson one can pick up from Ehime - the beautiful blend, the compatibility of nature and industry. The sustainability of nature depends so much on the vigilance of various sectors of the province as well as the responsible response of business and industry to protect the environment.

The academe also plays a very vital role in the sustainable development of Ehime. According to Professor Kurita of Ehime University who invited us to join their GLOCAL (Global-Local) Festival, they continue to encourage their students and faculty to be involved in dialogue, research, and planning with residents in various communities and islands of the prefecture.

At the time of our visit, he was facilitating the involvement and employment of one of his students in one island of Ehime which was populated mainly by the elderly. The goal was to draw up a working plan to allow the elderly to continue a sustainable lifestyle. The students are also encouraged to go for overseas study and research so that they can also understand and participate in the making of better, happier, sustainable communities throughout the world.

Prof. Kurita and the faculty and students of Ehime University whom we had the good opportunity to dialogue with are also looking at how they can assist in improving the lives of foreign migrants in their prefecture, including our own Filipino migrants who are there, many of whom are married to Japanese.

It will not be a quick nor easy way but the students and faculty of Ehime University as well as the beautiful family and neighbors of Prof. Kurita are certainly focused on that path to create a better global-local community, one where love and happiness reigns, one meant for all, not just for Ehime or princesses, beautiful maidens and royalty.

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