Tag - decentralization

 
 

DECENTRALIZATION

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba delivers his policy speech at the Lower House of parliament in Tokyo on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 27, 2025
Japan's young government officials to help municipalities as side gig
The measure, part of regional revitalization efforts by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, aims to help municipalities struggling with a lack of personnel.
The Cultural Affairs Agency in the city of Kyoto
JAPAN
Mar 27, 2024
One year on, benefits of culture agency's move to Kyoto unclear
The relocation of the Cultural Affairs Agency was decided in 2016
In its quake damage estimates updated last year, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government expects that 4.53 million people will be unable to return home in the aftermath of a massive quake hitting the capital.
JAPAN
Aug 31, 2023
Over-concentration in Tokyo raising risks from possible quake
The government estimate that up to 23,000 people would be killed if a massive quake hits the capital.
JAPAN
Feb 5, 2023
Kyoto calling: Ancient capital prepares to be center of Japanese culture again
The relocation of the Cultural Affairs Agency has raised strong hopes in Kyoto that the move will give the city a higher profile and status.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 16, 2022
Japan aims to balance population flows to and from Tokyo by fiscal 2027
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of people moving into the Tokyo metropolitan area area still exceeds that of people moving out.
JAPAN
Nov 14, 2022
With new group, prefectural governors take aim at Tokyo's dominance
Nearly half of Japan's 47 prefectural governors formed the group amid frustration with the government's slow progress in reducing the concentration of people and firms in the capital.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
May 23, 2022
Rural Philippines, long neglected, newly appealing in COVID-19 times
The economic disparity between the nation's rural and urban areas has been a long-standing problem, but the lessons of the pandemic may finally lead to change.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 20, 2021
America’s superstar cities aren’t what they used to be
The 10 biggest U.S. cities, while large and growing, now account for less than 7.9% of the country's population.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Sep 7, 2020
Efforts to decentralize Japan have a long history
Moves to address the nation's obsession with Tokyo have long seemed futile, but recently the capital's population shrunk for the first time since 1956.
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Apr 25, 2020
A decentralization opportunity goes begging amid COVID-19 outbreak
In Japan, the main obstacle to achieving the kind of widespread self-isolation necessary for limiting the spread of the coronavirus is thought to be the country's work culture. The government, which has always favored policies that benefit the private sector, is averse to countermeasures that would place...
JAPAN / Society
Jan 9, 2019
Abe's plan to battle Japan's regional brain drain draws mixed reviews
Like other major cities around the world, Tokyo acts as a magnet for the rest of the country, attracting people whose energy and talents spark new businesses and forms of art and culture, which, in turn, attract even more people.
EDITORIALS
Feb 10, 2017
Reversing population flow to Tokyo
The Abe administration's efforts to reduce the flow of people into the greater Tokyo area from other prefectures are not having much success.
EDITORIALS
Sep 7, 2016
Relocating government functions
The Abe administration must take a stronger lead in pushing forward the decentralization of some national government functions if it is really serious about pursuing the project.
EDITORIALS
Mar 31, 2016
Half-hearted decentralization effort
The poor results of the Abe administration's attempt to move national government functions out of Tokyo cast doubts as to how serious the administration is about pursuing its much-hyped policy of revitalizing regional economies by creating more jobs outside the capital.
EDITORIALS
Jan 12, 2015
Local initiatives key in revitalization
This will be an important year for local governments across Japan as the Abe administration pushes the revitalization of the nation's regional economies. Given the dire demographic situation, it's not clear when local government leaders will get another chance to realize this goal.
EDITORIALS
Jan 4, 2015
Revitalizing rural parts of Japan
There seems to be a basic discrepancy between the Abe administration's direction in its employment policy and what its regional revitalization program is aiming for.

Longform

Ayumi Matsuki, a priestess at Yoshiwara Shrine, shows off some "o-mamori" charms. She says visitors to the shrine have increased since the NHK drama “Unbound” began airing this month.
Tracing Tsutaya Juzaburo, Edo’s media maverick