The possibility of bridge over shrinking Society in the rural region Concerning about the building of new policies and subjects in foot-hill and mountain areas

Abstract

　In this article I firstly mention about the characteristics of shrinking society in rural region that shows decrease of population, amalgamation of municipality, retreat of public service & rise of living cost of beneficiar. Secondly I illustrate the data of questionnaire survey data of consciousness about amalgamation to the habitant of Iwate prefecture. Then I introduce several types of new policies and activities of habitants in foot-hill and mountain areas and analyze that process in Iwate prefecture.

　After these works I point out that new policies of recent years have made much of function to public interests rather than public utility. In other words in the shrinking society, the function to public interest from rural areas and afro-forestry activities are more emphasized than public approach to improvement of living condition of inhabitants. For the strengthen of that function, they try to expand the stakeholders which involve the habitants in urban area, non-farming habitants in rural areas and private enterprises and non-profit organizations as well as to utilize rural community as the active subject.

　In the end, I try to order the issue of the possibility of bridge over shrinking Society in the rural region in the severe economic and social condition.