History of Ordinance Protecting the Township of Ayabe City, Kyoto Prefecture, Water and People (2006-2025)

History of Ordinance Protecting the Township of Ayabe City, Kyoto Prefecture, Water and People (2006-2025)

Ayabe City, Kyoto Prefecture, proposed a draft "Water and Human Resource Village Ordinance" to the city council in order to save its disappearing water source villages. Five villages in the eastern part of the city are seriously depopulated and aging, and their demise is becoming a reality. The ordinance would maintain and revitalize the water source villages by encouraging residents to settle down while supporting the development of local specialties and the preservation of natural resources such as wild vegetables.

### Enactment of the ordinance and its first phase (2006-2010)
The ordinance was the first attempt by Ayabe City to integrate depopulation measures and water source conservation, and was enacted in 2006 as a five-year time-limited ordinance. Initially limited to five villages (Ichi-Chino, Daitarouchi, Tochi, Furuya, and Ichishi), the ordinance set four goals for the revitalization of the region: to promote settlement, exchange with the city, develop and foster local industry, and improve the quality of life.

The core of this ordinance lies in the fact that it links the preservation of water sources with human activities. As depopulation progresses, forest management will become inadequate, water recharge functions will decline, and the risk of landslides and water quality deterioration will increase. The clean water that people in urban areas enjoy every day is actually supported by the care of these satoyama. The ordinance was intended to arouse awareness throughout society that protecting villages is directly linked to protecting water.

### Phase 2 (2012-2016): Expansion of target villages
Based on the results of the first phase, the second phase of the Water Source Village Ordinance came into effect in 2012, expanding the number of villages covered by the ordinance to 56. During this period, the "designation application system" was introduced to designate villages upon receiving applications from them, and more villages participated in the initiative. Rather than simply a depopulation countermeasure, a brand strategy utilizing the natural resources of the region was promoted.

The aim is to revitalize the local economy by promoting wild vegetables and specialty products not merely for local consumption, but as high value-added products to the rest of the country. This ordinance, which links water resources to the future while supporting both settlement and industrial promotion, was a pioneering attempt that is rarely seen in other local governments.

### Phase 3 (2017-2026): Longevity of the Water Source Village Ordinance
In 2017, the ordinance was amended and the third phase went into effect as a 10-year time-limited ordinance. During this period, efforts to promote cooperation with several water source village communities and outside organizations, and to promote settlement were strengthened, with the aim of further promoting the area.

### Current (as of March 2025): Impact and continuation of the ordinance
According to the latest information, one new village was designated in FY2024 (FY2024), bringing the total to 21 villages designated as "water source villages. In these villages, various initiatives are being developed, such as the development of specialty products using local resources and the holding of exchange events with urban residents.

For example, Furuya village produces and sells tochimochi (rice cakes) made from horse chestnuts and shochu (distilled spirit) called "Tochigami," and is working to revitalize the community in cooperation with volunteers from urban areas.

In this way, Ayabe City's "Water Source Village Ordinance" contributes to the revitalization of the community and the preservation of the water source area, while flexibly adapting to local conditions.

### Related Information
- **Date of enactment**: December 2006
- **Eligible villages**: Chino, Daitaranai, Tochi, Furuya, and Ichishi (at the time of enactment) → expanded to 56 villages after 2012 → 21 villages will be designated as of 2024
- **Objectives**: Compatibility between measures against depopulation and preservation of water resources, promotion of settlement, development of specialty products
- **Specific efforts**:
- Branding of wild vegetables and local resources
- Support for settlement and exchange programs with cities
- Preservation of water resources through forest management
- **Successful examples**:
- **Furuya village**: Development of Tochigami, a rice cake and shochu (distilled spirit)
- **Eastern Ayabe Settlement**: Promoting sustainable agriculture and tourism exchange
- **Future Prospects**: Extension of the ordinance and development of new models of urban-rural collaboration are being considered.

Before depopulation-stricken watershed villages are transformed into "no man's landscapes". It is hoped that this ordinance will enrich the region like a clear stream, and serve as a catalyst for a new flow of people.