Reflecting on the Impact of Bridges on Islands . . . in Japan

Islanders have been keenly debating the impact of the fixed link before, during and after its construction. The Confederation Bridge's 10th anniversary, celebrated last May, spawned the latest series of reflections, including a scholarly book about the impact of bridging islands on PEI and on other islands around the world by UPEI professor Godfrey Baldacchino.

Discussing the pros and cons of fixed links was recently taken over to Japan, a sprawling island archipelago held together by bridges. Dr Baldacchino, who is Canada Research Chair in Island Studies at UPEI, was the distinguished guest speaker at a seminar organized by the Canada Project and the International Affairs Centre at the International University of Kagoshima (IUK), Kyushu Island, Japan, on October 27.

UPEI and IUK have a cooperation agreement that has seen many tangible benefits. IUK student Yoshiko Nishiyama spent a semester in Charlottetown in 2006, while three students from the UPEI School of Business (Neil Matheson, Kara Mackenzie and Erica Richardson) are currently enjoying a semester of studies and intercultural exchange at IUK.

The seminar included a musical performance by Amami Island singer Akemi Fuji, and brief presentations by the three UPEI exchange students about their experiences. The visit was coordinated by Professor David McMurray (who is Canadian) for the Canada Project and Director of the International Affairs Centre at IUK.

"During my presentation", explains Dr Baldacchino, "I outlined the complex relationship between isolation and integration that challenges every island community, and how different island people have seen a change in this relationship exacerbated by the construction of bridges, causeways or tunnels, linking their islands to mainlands: in tourism, trade, cost of property, environmental fall-outs and population change, to name a few. The Japanese were extremely attentive to such a critical assessment. They take bridges so much for granted in Japan, that they often fail to appreciate that there is an element of controversy surrounding their construction."

There were various opportunities to discuss further collaboration between IUK and UPEI during this visit. One of these includes research into the branding of Kyushu island products (such as the famous shochu alcoholic drink) and how this benefits from a close association with the branding of the island itself. Another is to engage faculty from UPEI's unique Master of Arts in Island Studies to spend time teaching at Kagoshima. Dr Baldacchino was kindly hosted to dinner during his visit by the Dean of Graduate Studies at IUK, Professor Megumu Kinugawa, during which time gifts were exchanged.

Dr Baldacchino's book Bridging Islands: The Impact of Fixed Links (2007) is published by PEI's Acorn Press and is available from local bookstores.