Abstract
This paper discusses the necessity of regional social welfare associations (Chiku Shakai Fukushi Kyogikai ("Chiku Shakyo")) in metropolitan areas in present-day Japan. The "local social welfare association" is an informal organization formed primarily in units of elementary school districts and autonomously managed by community residents for the purpose of promoting social welfare in small communities. Shigeo Okamura discussed "small community social welfare association (Sho-chiiki Shakyo)," which is referred to in this paper as "local social welfare association." In the 1950s, Okamura conceived his theory on the activities of small community social welfare associations. He also identified the characteristics of small communities in metropolitan areas in 1970 and argued the need for small community social welfare associations. It is important to understand why local social welfare associations were established and have persisted in metropolitan areas, where dilution of ties among community residents is generally discussed and the weaker networks of community are often pointed out. The purpose of this study is to clarify whether such questions indicate the necessity identified by Okamura in his work on the nature of small communities.
