The Process and Challenges of Resident-Led Reconstruction in a Mountain Community Damaged by the Northern Kyushu Torrential Rain Disaster: A Case Study of the Hiraenoki Community, Asakura City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan

Frequent torrential rainfall disasters have occurred worldwide in recent years. In Japan, the Northern Kyushu Torrential Rainfall disaster July 2017 caused extensive damage to Fukuoka and Oita prefectures significantly impacted local landscapes, from which residents derive pride identity and, hence, are of utmost importance. Local communities Japan also at risk extinction due progressive depopulation. This study discusses community revitalization through landscape creation related challenges based on case Hiraenoki Community affected by disaster. We conducted long-term participant observations over two years semi-structured interviews with all households community. found that project revitalized involved numerous people outside community, including prefectural extension center, university, Non-Profit Organization (NPO), provided them an opportunity connect. On other hand, our investigation revealed danger obscuring original purpose reconstruction activities because collaboration outsiders. elucidates possibilities resident-led facing depopulation aging problems working organizations within