Highlights:  First detailed Holocene cryptotephra study in a productive volcanic arc setting  Integrated Holocene tephrostratigraphic record of key East Asian isochrons  Improved chronology of many widespread Holocene tephra layers  New constraints on volcanism from back-arc volcanoes (Changbaishan & Ulleungdo)  Reveals isochrons than can be used to synchronise to the SG14 record

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 Distal records show eruptions are more frequent and widespread 31  At least 8 Changbaishan eruptions produced widespread ash over the 32 last 86 kyrs 33  Explosive eruption of Changbaishan at ca. 42.5 ka dispersed ash >1000 34 km 35  4 Ulleungdo eruptions are now precisely dated using the Lake Suigetsu 36 chronology 37  U-Ym tephra is identified in Suigetsu and dated to 40,332 -39,816 38 IntCal13 yrs BP

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Traditional, pre-industrial farming was adapted to the natural environment-topography, geology, hydrology, climate, and biota. Traditional land use systems are still to be traced in Scandinavia as an "infield/outland landscape", and in Japan as a "Satoyama landscape." There are obvious similarities and differences in land use-the main difference being that pasturing of cattle and sheep has been less important in Japan. These land use systems can be traced back to early sedentary settlements 1500-2500 years ago. In both regions, traditional management almost ceased in the mid-twentieth century leading to afforestation and decreased biological diversity. Today, there is in Japan a growing movement for landscape restoration and promotion of a sustainable living countryside based on local agrarian and forestry production, local energy, tourism, etc. With this background, the so-called Satoyama Initiative has been organized and introduced as a global socio-ecological project with ecosystem services for human well-being.