Chapter 6-3: Prout Village / Sustainable Society Prout Village Third Edition

  

○Medical

According to the 2025 survey by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Japan had 8,022 hospitals, 105,359 general clinics, and 65,793 dental clinics.

With a population of 123.3 million in that year, this corresponds to one hospital per 15,370 people, one general clinic per 1,170 people, and one dental clinic per 1,874 people.

Applied to a Prout Village with a maximum population of about 60,000, this would result in 4 hospitals, 51 general clinics, and 32 dental clinics. However, these numbers are based on averages in Japan’s monetary society; with preventive healthcare strengthened in a Prout Village, the actual numbers would likely be lower.


Source:
Survey on the Dynamics of Medical Institutions (As of the end of May, 2025), Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/toukei/saikin/hw/iryosd/m25/dl/is2505.pdf


The basic differences between hospitals and clinics are as follows:

Item

Hospital

Clinic

Number of beds

20 or more

0–19

Departments

Multiple departments

Centered on the director’s specialty (1–2 departments)

Diagnostic equipment

Extensive: CT, MRI, endoscopes, operating rooms, etc.

Mostly X-ray, ECG, and simple tests

Number of doctors

Multiple (including on-duty doctors)

1–few (director is main physician)

Number of nurses

24-hour coverage

Daytime only (few if no beds)

Role

Inpatient care, surgery, emergency, severe cases

Primary care, chronic disease management, referral point


Many devices such as CT, MRI, ultrasound, ventilators, and pacemakers require rare metals. However, the supply of rare metals is limited and moving toward depletion. As scarcity increases, manufacturing costs for these devices rise. Consequently, more medical institutions may be unable to afford high-cost devices, leading to regional disparities. Patients concentrate in large hospitals, causing congestion and longer waiting times, and in rural areas, people may need to travel long distances for tests. Additionally, patient co-payments for CT and MRI scans are likely to increase. Although technological innovation and system reforms may mitigate some of these increases, the supply constraints of rare metals create a situation where hospitals must purchase equipment despite rising prices, resulting in overall higher financial burdens.

However, a single Prout Village cannot handle certain medical fields on its own, and global or national-level collaboration is essential. These areas would require solutions coordinated at the World Federation level.

Category

Examples

Required External Collaboration

Advanced and specialized medical treatment

Advanced cancer therapy (radiation, chemotherapy), heart surgery, artificial organ transplants

Concentration of advanced medical facilities, specialized doctors, surgical teams

Vaccine and pharmaceutical production

Vaccines, antibiotics, rare medicines

Manufacturing facilities, raw material supply, quality control, distribution networks

High-cost medical devices

MRI, CT, ventilators, pacemakers

Parts supply, maintenance technology, manufacturer support

Epidemic and infectious disease control

Emerging infections, pandemic response

Information sharing, research, provision of treatments and vaccines, surveillance systems

Advanced testing and specialized diagnostics

Genetic testing, pathology, rare disease diagnostics

Specialized personnel, diagnostic equipment, databases, technical support

Since the Industrial Revolution around 1800, global life expectancy has increased and infant mortality has decreased. Contributing factors include:

  • Clean water and sanitation, including toilets and sewage treatment

  • Vaccines and immunizations

  • Safe childbirth environments

  • Maternal and child health education

  • Diverse crops and balanced nutrition

  • Exercise

  • Regular health checkups and early treatment

Based on these factors, the following three measures are key in a Prout Village:

  • Promotion of technological innovation:
    Develop new diagnostic and treatment technologies that do not use rare metals within global networks such as the World Federation.

  • Thorough preventive healthcare:
    Maintain infant health and overall life expectancy through clean sanitation, nutrition, vaccinations, exercise, maternal and child care, health education, and regular checkups.

  • Demand reduction:
    Emphasize preventive healthcare to reduce the need for treatment devices.

Taking these measures into account, a basic principle is to assign one hospital per municipality, adjusting the number of clinics and dental clinics as needed. Except for advanced medical devices and vaccines, essential medical supplies and plant-derived resources should be produced and maintained self-sufficiently within the municipality.


○Firefighting

In Prout Village, residences are not densely clustered, and houses have earthen walls that do not burn. Therefore, the possibility of fire spreading from house to house is low; however, there is a risk that fire could spread to surrounding trees. In case of a fire, the municipality’s fire trucks are dispatched, and if the fire is large-scale, support from neighboring municipalities will also respond.

As an initial firefighting measure, residents themselves use small portable fire pumps kept in each household to extinguish fires. This allows early water spraying on nearby trees when it is anticipated that fire might spread to them, minimizing damage. Firefighting training by residents is planned approximately once a year, mainly organized by the Medical & Food Department within the municipality.

Hybrid Firefighting Unit
(Foot-operated vs. electric × underground hydrants × dual connection to potable water supply and rainwater tanks)

Item

Foot Pump (Mechanical)

Electric Pump (Rare Metal-Minimized Design)

Motor Type

Human-powered (stepping)

Motor with iron core + copper wire brush or induction motor

Power Dependency

× None required

〇 Independent power source (Mg battery, solar, etc.) or external power

Water Discharge Capacity

〇 About 0.3 MPa / 15–20 L/min / distance approx. 5–7 m

◎ About 0.5 MPa / 30–40 L/min (depending on design) / distance approx. 8–12 m

Number of Operators

〇 Operable by one person

◎ Operable by one person (switch operation)

Operation Duration

◎ Unlimited as long as human power continues

〇 Depends on power capacity (about 30–60 minutes)

Noise Level

◎ Quiet (mechanical)

〇 Motor noise present (quiet type available)

Rare Metal Dependency

× Almost zero

△ Minimally designed but small amounts unavoidable (brush wear parts, control board included)

Resident Maintenance

◎ High (simple structure, easy repair)

△ Moderate (electrical parts management, parts replacement required)

Water Source Connection

〇 Dual system (potable water + rainwater tank) switchable

〇 Same as left

Hydrant Type

〇 Underground manhole type

〇 Same as left

Storage Method

Underground storage or outdoor storage box (hose integrated 25m)

Same as left

Operating Cost

◎ Very low, mostly maintenance only

△ Moderate due to battery and control part replacement

Failure Risk

◎ Very low

△ Risk of electrical troubles

Aesthetic Compatibility

◎ Good, underground installation

◎ Same as left

Maintenance Frequency

Low (regular inspection and cleaning only)

Medium (battery, brush replacement, board check)

Recommended Introduction

〇 Highest (when prioritizing sustainability)

〇 High (when prioritizing performance)

Remarks

Completely zero rare metals, highest sustainability, moderate output.

Small amounts of rare metals are unavoidable. Long-life and recycling system essential. If rare metal use is high, consider foot pump only or other alternatives.

Firefighting Rainwater Tank Capacity and Size Reference Table

Capacity (L)

Approximate Discharge Time (assuming 20 L/min)

Typical Use

Reference Tank Size (approximate)

Remarks

500 L

About 25 minutes

Initial fire extinguishing for a typical household

Approx. 0.8 m × 0.8 m × 0.8 m (cubic)

Varies depending on installation site shape

1,000 L

About 50 minutes

Shared use for multiple households or fire prevention

Approx. 1.0 m × 1.0 m × 1.0 m (cubic)

Shape can be adjusted to horizontal or deep type


○Disaster Rescue and Recovery

During the coronavirus pandemic that spread worldwide in 2020, people were required to stay home to prevent infection. Because of this, both companies and individuals faced financial problems. In Prout Village, residents grow food at home or nearby, so they do not suffer from food shortages, and since there is no rent to pay, everyone can stay at home until there are no infected people. The problem of students falling behind in their studies does not arise either, because Prout Village has no concepts of teaching curricula, academic records, or employment; learning is assumed to proceed independently. Therefore, the concept of “falling behind in studies” does not exist.


If an infectious disease like the coronavirus occurs, the procedure is first to quickly lock down the affected Municipality and surrounding Municipalities. Depending on the situation, movement between Municipalities nationwide may be banned. Then all residents in the Municipality are tested. Those who test positive move either to stay at home or to temporary isolation housing built on vacant land and receive treatment. If most of the Municipality is infected, the entire Municipality is locked down, and uninfected people relocate to other Municipalities. Municipalities judged to be completely negative may resume free movement. This aims to achieve zero infections without vaccination.


Looking back over hundreds of years of history, infectious diseases have occurred continuously since ancient times and will continue to do so. Therefore, population dispersion allows testing to be conducted quickly by sharing the workload. In cities where large populations concentrate, the number of doctors and equipment is insufficient, causing medical system collapse.


Also, regardless of the natural disaster type—earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslide, typhoon, tornado, heavy rain, heavy snow, flood, or tsunami—the basic response is the same. The affected area is limited, and neighboring Municipalities that are unaffected serve as evacuation sites and accept disaster victims.


The first difficulties after a disaster are providing housing, toilets, and food for victims, but neighboring Municipalities and residents offer accommodations such as lodging facilities or their own homes, and provide food. Next, the local coordination department compiles a list of evacuees to ensure safety confirmation.


Regarding recovery, it is simply a matter of rebuilding what was destroyed. Surrounding residents take the lead in reconstruction. In a monetary society, financial issues and economic viability delay recovery. However, since Prout Village does not use money, such problems do not arise, and as long as local resources and residents exist, recovery proceeds quickly.


Once the town is rebuilt, residents return again. However, looking at several hundred years of history of natural disasters like eruptions, tsunamis, and floods, the same types of disasters tend to occur repeatedly in the same places. Therefore, if the same disaster is expected, it becomes necessary not to rebuild the town in the same location. Careful consideration of regional history and concern for future generations’ well-being must be taken into account in town planning.



○Nursing Care Facilities


In monetary societies, some people are busy with work and lack both time and mental capacity. Due to financial problems or lack of care acceptance facilities, some families are forced to provide in-home care for elderly people who need nursing care.


In Prout Village, this problem is addressed by the fact that all residents have free time, so they have the capacity to provide care. Furthermore, as part of the Municipality system, special nursing care housing is established within the Municipality for residents diagnosed with dementia to live together. A fence-like boundary made of plants and trees is set up in the garden, allowing free movement within the premises to prevent residents from getting lost due to wandering.


Leaving this dedicated housing is allowed freely when accompanied by family or friends, with unrestricted entry and exit. Residents can spend the daytime at home with family and be cared for in the dedicated housing at night.


Also, if this facility is built in the central area of the Municipality, where many people gather, residents can easily visit it when they come to the center for activities.


Since residents may sometimes urinate or defecate outside of toilets, the floors and walls of this dedicated housing are made easy to clean by wiping. Dangerous tools like knives are not kept there. The medical and food department of the Municipality manages this nursing care housing, and family members and residents operate it on a rotating basis.


In addition, although it is not common in Japan, welfare includes sexual care for physically disabled people. Even severely disabled people have sexual desires, and sex volunteers visit their homes to assist them. Such care is also considered part of welfare.


○Classification Table (Nuisance/Offensive Acts and Punishment Details)

As long as humans have Ego, troubles in human relationships continue in Prout Village due to the self-prioritizing feelings of the self. Troubles range from those causing inconvenience to others, to those that cause harm, and the type of punishment differs depending on the content. Category 6 nuisance acts are subject to Living Restriction Measures, and category 5 or higher are handled as Rehabilitation Facility cases. More serious problems are handled by more experienced Leaders, with careful discussion to decide on punishments. Below is the classification table.


Classification Table (Nuisance/Offensive Acts and Punishment Details)

Category

Acts and Punishments

Responsible Leader

Examples

Category 1

Acts of killing or causing suicide (Rehabilitation Facility, 10 years to life)

1st Leader

Murder

Category 2

Acts causing or attempting physical injury (Rehabilitation Facility, 5 to 20 years)

2nd Leader

Injury, assault, domestic violence, obscenity, sexual exploitation, mental torture, arson, spread of fire, invasion, professional negligence resulting in death, abandonment, confinement, kidnapping, child prostitution, drug manufacture, drug use (with harm reduction treatment), drug solicitation, escape or rebellion from Rehabilitation Facility, recidivism, serious accumulation of offenses

Category 3

Acts that cause danger to life (Rehabilitation Facility, 3 to 5 years)

3rd Leader

Threats, extortion, coercion, stalking, trespassing, refusal to leave, bribery, preparation or possession of weapons, armed acts, illegal possession or preparation of weapons, real estate seizure, robbery, property damage, unauthorized computer access, violation of waste disposal laws, unauthorized tree cutting, river pollution, unauthorized mining/storage/use/movement of prohibited underground resources, ID lending/theft, identity impersonation

Category 4

Deceptive acts or those lowering social reputation (Rehabilitation Facility, 1 to 3 years)

4th Leader

Fraud, breach of trust, embezzlement, theft, business obstruction, evidence destruction, forgery, perjury, leaking secrets, document falsification, defamation, inciting residents by false information, favoritism by distribution officers to specific families, bookkeeping falsification

Category 5

Verbal acts that hurt others (Rehabilitation Facility, 1 week to 1 year)

5th Leader

Insults, discriminatory remarks (gender, origin, religion, etc.), obstruction of speech

Category 6

Acts causing nuisance (Living Restriction Measures)

1st to 5th Leader

Nuisance related to vehicles, damaging or soiling lodging facilities, dumping garbage in unauthorized places, noise, unauthorized removal or privatization of tools or farming equipment, placing personal belongings in fire-fighting equipment or evacuation routes


Notes:

⚫︎Punishment decisions are made by each responsible Leader, but to designate an act as a crime and decide punishment, the victim side must prepare witnesses and evidence.

⚫︎When going to discuss with the offender, the Leader and Deputy Leader must attend, as well as all residents; however, the Leader may decide that a smaller group is sufficient.

⚫︎If the 1st Leader commits an offensive act, the Leader of the offender’s originating Municipality decides the punishment corresponding to the category.

⚫︎If the 1st Leader commits a Category 1 offensive act, the 1st Deputy Leader decides the punishment. If both the 1st Leader and 1st Deputy Leader are offenders, a Leader is selected by Nomination Election from among the 2nd Leaders of the 1st Municipality, and that Leader makes the decision.


○List of Underground Resources (Ordered by Prohibition Level)


The content of “Unauthorized mining, storage, use, or movement of prohibited underground resources” in Category 3 of the Classification Table (Nuisance/Offensive Acts and Punishment Details) is as follows:


List of Underground Resources (Ordered by Level of Prohibition)

Underground Resource Category

Examples

Renewability

Handling in Prout Village (Principle)

Radioactive Minerals

Uranium, Thorium

Non-renewable, High Risk

× Completely prohibited (ethically and safety-wise inappropriate)

Rare Metals / Rare Earths

Lithium, Cobalt, Neodymium, Tantalum, Indium, etc.

Non-renewable (limited reserves)

× Use prohibited (unsustainable and highly dependent). However, small amounts allowed only for shared PCs in the Municipality.

Fossil Fuels

Coal, Oil, Natural Gas

Non-renewable (tens of millions of years)

× Basically not used (CO₂ emissions, depletion, dependency)

Metal Minerals (General)

Iron, Copper, Aluminum, Lead, Zinc, Nickel

Non-renewable

△ Permitted in a limited manner (recycling and local production conditions apply)

Non-metal Minerals

Limestone, Silica Sand, Clay, Rock Salt, Gypsum

Non-renewable (comparatively abundant)

◯ Usable (local extraction, low energy consumption)

Underground Water (Shallow / Deep Wells)

Spring Water, Aquifer Water

Semi-renewable (can be depleted if overused)

◯ Usable (under moderate and disciplined management)

Geothermal Resources

Geothermal Steam, High-temperature Groundwater

Semi-renewable (with proper management)

◯ Usable (local use only, within sustainable range)



○Living Restriction Measures

The contents of Level 1 Living Restriction Measures are outlined below. The fundamental principle is to “gradually impose restrictions while providing opportunities for improvement.”


Living Restriction Measures

Category

Restriction Content

Deciding Leader

Explanation

Category 1

● Eviction Measure

1st Leader

Implemented when the individual cannot improve their relationships within the community and is unlikely to change due to pride or interpersonal conflicts. Since life becomes difficult at this stage, relocation to another area is encouraged. A receiving Municipality is prepared to provide a fresh start through a change in environment. To avoid pushing the person into despair, an escape route is left open.

Category 2

● Restriction of electricity supply ● Restriction of water supply

2nd Leader

Major restrictions related to essential living infrastructure. Electricity can be adjusted through individual or area-wide blackouts, or in some cases, by removing generators, electrical wiring, and other living facilities. Medical devices and emergency equipment are excluded, and a minimum power supply is ensured. Water restrictions affect health, so they are implemented carefully and gradually.

Category 3

● Restrictions on vehicle and accommodation facility use

3rd Leader

Restricts freedom of movement and stay. Temporarily disconnects the individual from social activities by physically limiting their activity range. Medical and emergency transportation is exempted.

Category 4

● Restriction of resource distribution

4th Leader

Restricts distribution of mineral and plant resources, limiting activity in manufacturing units. This impacts self-sufficiency in essentials but does not directly halt basic infrastructure.

Category 5

● Restriction on use of public facilities and equipment

5th Leader

Limits access to meeting halls, recreational facilities, learning centers, manufacturing units, etc. By reducing social connection and enjoyment, it indirectly encourages behavioral improvement. Although the lightest restriction, its psychological impact is significant.


Key Points

●Restrictions are applied through centralized management systems integrating personal IDs with electricity and water services.

●Severity increases in stages, offering multiple opportunities for improvement.

●Measures involving life-threatening consequences are last resort and require utmost caution.

●Setting up exception policies is essential.



Benefits of Having Restrictions

●Reduced Burden of Dialogue

  When clear rules and stepwise restrictions are in place, discussions can proceed based on "established procedures" rather than emotions. For residents, facing a high-handed or violent individual repeatedly to engage in dialogue or give warnings is a significant burden. If restrictions are predefined, the next step after a warning becomes a restriction, reducing the negative impact on others.

●Sense of Fairness

  The same standards are applied to everyone, which reduces resentment and perceptions of unfairness.

●Less Emotional Conflict

  Since actions are based on rules rather than someone's personal judgment, emotional conflicts are softened.

●Acts as a Deterrent

  The existence of rules makes people think, “There’s no point in rebelling or causing trouble if such rules exist.”



Points of Caution

●Ensure that restrictions or penalties do not turn into fear-based control. To prevent this, choose sincere Leaders with light Ego. Do not select authoritarian individuals with a heavy Ego.

●Continue efforts to resolve issues through dialogue and support whenever possible.



Applicable Cases

●Incommunicable Self-Centered Individuals

If the person has the basic humanity to engage in conversation, efforts should be made to resolve the issue through dialogue. However, if the individual not only breaks rules but also focuses solely on asserting themselves—such as yelling or using incoherent logic that makes meaningful conversation impossible—some residents may begin to resent having to spend their daily time dealing with such situations.



Regarding Co-residents of a Problematic Individual

For example, suppose a male resident (Mr. A) is violent and refuses to communicate. He lives with his wife, children, and parents. Up to the third level of movement restrictions, these measures apply only to Mr. A. However, from the fourth level onward—such as restrictions on electricity and water supply—the limitations apply to the entire household, affecting everyone living in the same residence as the restricted individual. In such cases, the family is expected to encourage Mr. A to cooperate and improve his behavior. Alternatively, the family members other than Mr. A may temporarily relocate.



In Case Armed Groups Appear Beyond the Municipality’s Control

The integrated system managing electricity and water connects from the Municipality to the Prefectural Parliament, the National Parliament, the Continental Parliament, and finally the World Federation (World Parliament). Therefore, if an issue arises that exceeds the capacity of the Municipality—such as the emergence of armed groups—the matter is escalated and discussed at higher levels of governance.

For example, if violent actions escalate within a Municipality (say, Municipality A), and they become a threat to surrounding municipalities (B, C, D, E, F), the issue is brought to the Prefectural Parliament, where the Prefectural Leader makes the final decision. If needed, it can proceed to discussions at the World Federation level.

If a complete shutdown of the electricity infrastructure in Municipality A becomes necessary, residents will be notified in advance, and other municipalities will prepare accommodations and create a system to receive and support the affected individuals.



○Rehabilitation Facility


In Prout Village, instead of a prison system, there are Rehabilitation Facilities designed for preventing recurrence. Depending on the number of offenses, a single facility may be operated jointly by surrounding Municipalities if the case numbers are low. The facility is managed by a rotating system of local residents.

Although the inability to leave the facility for a certain period can be interpreted as a form of punishment, the primary goal is to sever unhealthy relationships with bad influences. The facility does not impose forced activities. Rather, the aim is for individuals to confront their past, weaknesses, and delusions through prolonged solitude and silence, fostering deep inner change. To prevent excessive isolation, methods such as watchful presence, empathetic dialogue, active listening, and physical activity may be adopted, depending on the local community's policies.

From the perspective of the community as a whole, the ultimate goal is to eliminate criminal behavior entirely, as this leads to overall peace. Temporarily isolating and supporting the rehabilitation of offenders is therefore considered essential.


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