Survey on the use of eco-resources in a fresh food market in the city of Luang Prabang
Survey at a local paper mill, utilising timber as a forest product, in the city of Luang Prabang . Survey at weaving village of Ban Phanom utilising non-forest products. Pilot study involving soundscape research in the city of Luang Prabang .

Luang Prabang-Vientiane

Vientiane - Bangkok- Kansai International Airport

 (1) On-Site Education

           I received news on the progress of research projects from three students of the Graduate School of Asian and African Area Studies (ASAFAS), who are carrying out surveys in Lao P.D.R. with funding from the COE programme.
           The workshop held at the Faculty of Forestry, Lao National University aimed to: (1) Report on activities up to now; (2 ) Report on the results of research conducted under the Grant-in-Aid of the Toyota Foundation; (3) Report on the results of research conducted in connection with the 21st Century COE Field Station; and (4 ) Discuss future research programmes. The Japanese participants were Profs. Hiramatsu, Iwata, and Takeda from ASAFAS , Prof. Kobayashi from Kobe University, five graduate students of ASAFAS (Mr.Kosaka, Ms.Yoshida, Mr.Vilayphone, Mr.Mushiake, and Ms.Kiguchi). The participants from Laos were Dr. Saignaleuth, Dean of the Faculty of Forestry, Dr. Xaydala, Head of the Department of Forest Management Office, and Dr. Phimminith, Head of the External Cooperation Unit of the National University of Laos. Dr. Somboon of the Living Aquatic Resources Research Centre (LARReC) participated in the meeting. The six reports included ones from Mr. Kosaka and Mr. Vilayphone, indicating that the workshop made a great contribution to the on-site education programme.

 (2) Collaborative Study

           Talks were held with Dr. Konsonsavath, Dean and Vice Dean of the Faculty of Agronomy, the National University of Laos. The two sides reconfirmed the agreement for collaboration in Savannakhet Prefecture as well as the surroundings of Nabong, near Vientiane , in the areas of fishery, village development and farm tool collection.
           Details on the collaboration with the Faculty of Agronomy of the National University of Laos were reported by Prof. Takeda.

 (3) Individual Study

           I carried out a survey in Luang Prabang on the utilisation of eco-resources. Paper is made by hand at local paper mills in the city of Luang Prabang , which are typical examples of the use of timber forest resources. The scene of people washing paper in the River Mekong can be considered a tourist attraction, or part of the poetic charm of Luang Prabang, which is registered as a World Heritage Site. The civic soundscape of Luang Prabang forms a part of its urban beauty, and no doubt is one of the tourist resources of the city, though it is yet to be recognised as such. An acoustic ecological survey of the city was conducted with a view to developing it as an eco-resource.