Abstract
This paper critically discusses Japan’s Regional Revitalization Policy (Chiho-Sosei) started in
2014 and the Vision for a Digital Garden City Nation (Digiden) introduced in 2022. The paper first
describes the genealogy of government policies before these two initiatives were created, then details
the characteristics of both the Regional Revitalization Policy and the Vision for a Digital Garden City
Nation. Both seem to be ideologically driven and not in line with the realities of rural cities and towns.
Some critics argue that the problem derives from the strong commitment of the central government.
However, this does not mean that decentralized policies or bottom-up decision-making are better
than centralized or top-down approaches. The logic of policies leading to the realization of regional
revitalization goals must be clarified, and consideration must be given to allocating appropriate roles
in the policy process to the national and local governments, and to the public and private sectors,
respectively.
