Perspective of Policies for Local Promotion and Correction of Regional Disparities Corresponding to Depopulation

Abstract

Since the Japanese economic and social phase has changed from an increase in urbanization and population to aging and depopulation, regional development policies, which aim at regional development of disadvantaged areas and alleviation of regional disparities, are now also being modified in order to adjust to the new situation. Population indicators like total population, aging rate, or fertility rate have become more important for local governments as main policy targets. The commitment of the central government to conduct regional development tends to be weaker and more indirect, partly due to the progress of the decentralization of authorities. Under the influence of depopulation, not only the central and local governments but also various semi-public and private organizations will have to tackle with old and new types of problems derived from regional disparities, which start to be significant on the micro scale, as in small villages, residential districts or housing complexes, as well as on the national scale, due to mono-polarization to Tokyo, and the regional scale, such as concentration on central districts in urban areas.