Abstract
A seamless method of operating social spaces in depopulated areas was investigated. Semi-structured
interviews were conducted with the staff of community-based comprehensive support centers located in a
densely-inhabited, a mixed-inhabited, and a rural area of Sakata City in Yamagata Prefecture. This exploratory study used the KJ method to identify the following information. (1) Explanations by support
centers to community residents on the need for social spaces and their independence and engagement. (2)
Facilitating social spaces by collaborating among daily-living support coordinators using regional
strengths, community resident-supporters, and existing organizations. (3) Operational support for social
spaces to facilitate community diagnosis enabling support centers to identify open and hidden problems.
(4) Utilizing existing free spaces in difficult-to-reach areas and compensate for the lack of social spaces.
