Phosphorus Flow Analysis of Rural Circular Economy System in Japan: A Case Study of Nakasatu Village in Hokkaido

Based on the introduction to a the typical Japanese rural circular economy model, phosphorus flow in the a rural circular economy system is analyzed using the material flow analysis method. Results show that the use of large amounts of compost and direct application of animal manure to the field reduces the effect of wastes from livestock and rural domestic life on water environment, but it did not have any critical effect on control of phosphorus release from crop fields. On such a basis, it is suggested that in constructing new countryside, it be wise to consider building a circular economy model integrating rural domestic life, cropping and animal rearing and expanding recycling of the wastes from rural domestic life, so as to reduce pollution to the off-system environment.