Local Social Education Administration in 1930s Japan: Development of the Social Education Commissioner System in Shiga Prefecture

Abstract

  This elucidates the process of developing, at the prefectural level, the social education commissioner system that began in 1932 and examines the relationship between the central government, prefectures, and municipalities in the administration of social education in 1930s Japan. In particular, this study focuses on Shiga Prefecture, analyzing in detail how the social education commissioner system developed in this region. Previous research has recognized the diversity of local social education administration in the prewar period and has suggested various formative processes influenced by regional factors. This study employs public documents and local magazines from Shiga Prefecture to clarify how far central policies permeated and were adapted at the prefectural and municipal levels. It also examines the role and impact that local officials had, taking into account how local subjective factors influenced the system’s acceptance. In conclusion, it is revealed that local social education administration in the 1930s was characterized by a structure in which prefectures imposed spontaneity on municipalities. This study thus contributes to the understanding of the characteristics and developmental processes of local social education administration in prewar Japan.