Review of National Industrial Development—Outcome of Mutsu-Ogawara Project

Abstract

Japanese regional development plans were initiated with the development of river basins after WWII, focusing on hydroelectric power generation. In 1962, the Comprehensive National Development Plan (CNDP) was established with a view to balance the development of Japanese land, and proposed various regional development programs. In Japan's post-war period of high economic growth, the large-scale Mutsu-Ogawara Development Project was proposed as part of the CNDP, which, however has since undergone drastic transitions due to unexpected economic and social changes in Japan. This article reviews and evaluates past regional development programs in Japan, taking the Mutsu-Ogawara Project as an example, focusing on its initial purpose and the final result, which is construction of nuclear fuel cycle facility.