A Study of the Integrated Administration of a Large Region Located on the Boundary between Prefectures — A Case Study of the Kenkyo Mission

Abstract

Based on a case study of the mountainous district in the Chugoku region — at the conference referred to as the “Kenkyo Summit”— this article discusses the integrated administration of a large region, which is located on the border between plural prefectures. This article aims to illustrate the process of activities, the characteristics of cooperation, and the spatial structure of this integrated administration. The results of the analysis were as follows:

1) Three patterns of cooperation were found. First, the heads of some local governments played important roles in the institutions. Second, the heads, staffs, residents, and the experts of regional development developed an emergent network. Third, the head clerk played the crucial role of creator of activities.

2) In general, big cities play an important role in the integrated administration of a large region. However, the characteristics of the key actors and their strong drive for regional development have enabled the conference to manage itself smoothly despite the absence of big cities.

3) The cooperation system of the Kenkyo Summit is very flexible. This system is suited for the integrated administration of a large region, which requires comprehensiveness and emergence.