“Neighborhood Autonomy” and Community

—a case study of Miharu Town—

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between “Neighborhood Autonomy” and community by examining the case of the Machizukuri Association in Miharu Town, Fukushima Prefecture. The organizational characteristics of the Machizukuri Association are as follows.
First, the territory the Machizukuri Association covers is an ex-town or ex-village, which also comprises an elementary school ward, and this corresponds to the territory of a federation of community-based organizations. Second, it is positioned as an autonomous organization of residents by the public administration. Third, the association secures community representation and legitimacy by including leaders and officers of all social groups in the community.
Additional functional characteristics of the Machizukuri Association are as follows. First, the association executes its function as a community-based management organization. Second, it carries out the function of deepening the amity among the residents, and third, it conducts the function of decision making, such as regulating the community interest and building consensus.
In light of the results of this case study, with respect to the points of institution and function, the Machizukuri Association of Miharu Town can regarded as a prime example of the ideal of “Neighborhood Autonomy”