Shinjima: Vulnerability, Resilience and Island Fluidity

Shinjima (‘New Island’), a relatively recent volcanic island in south-west Japan, has undergone cycles of settlement, depopulation and re-settlement, mirroring similar circumstances encountered by many small island cultures in Japan. Throughout its history, and in the vicinity of ongoing volcanic activity, the island has experienced periods of vulnerability and resilience, marked by fluctuations in its population and leading to shifts in the island’s identity. Together, these phenomena are explained using the metaphor of fluidity, emphasising continuing changes in Shinjima’s environmental, social and cultural existence. As discussed in this article, in today’s context, Shinjima has emerged as an example of small island revitalisation that is distinct to its locale, embodying a multifaceted identity centred on cultural rejuvenation, environmental activism and micro-tourism. Positioning this study within the field of Island Studies, the article foregrounds Shinjima by documenting its dynamic history and emphasising recent transformations that have augmented and revitalised the small island’s cultural narrative in the contemporary era.