Abstract
The purpose of this study is to make clear characteristics of small city in the provinces (SCP) . Results are summarized as follows. (1) SCP is defined according to 3 facters ; namely it was established through merger of old administrative areas called "kyuson" by lawful procedure In 1953, its size is not much over population 50.000 which is standard to be city, and it locates in the provinces. (2) SCP is characterized not by population but concentration of inhabitants and industrializing highly. (3) Comparing SCP with same size city which had existed before merger of old administrative areas, SCP has less charactevistics which are required to city. (4) Inside SCP, regional differentiation is observed. In a kyuson which became centre of SCP, new administrative machinery of whole city area was establised, so it has become urbanized area, on the contrary other kyusons abolished its administrative machinery, then have become hinterland of the city. (5) In a prospect of this study, transition of regional differentiation should be made clear, in view of influence of merger or abolishment of administrative machinery and other public facilities.
