What Have Kominkan Projects Created? A Comparative Study of Matsumoto City and Kaizuka City

Abstract

Our team has embarked on a joint research project on kominkan project theory in order to identify the theoretical achievements that have been reached and the challenges that remain for members of this academic society. This paper is an interim summary of the findings.

Bearing in mind that kominkan and social education programs are being conducted within the parameters of the current trends of "administrative reform," "decentralization," and "local government strategies," trends which have led to a "’industrialization’ of public services." It is therefore important to demonstrate empirically that community center projects are faced with the challenge of creating an opposing-axis to administrative evaluations that are based on cost-effectiveness that prioritize principles of economic efficiency.

This paper examines kominkan "projects" in Matsumoto City (Nagano Prefecture) and Kaizuka City (Osaka Prefecture) that were undertaken under the theme of "What has been created by kominkan projects?" A comparative approach of the kominkan in the two cities was considered to be valid because of similarities in their historical development; previous studies were available for both cities and both had their own staffing systems.

This comparative study was able to confirm that, in these two cities, kominkan deal with issues that affect the community and the daily lives of local residents, organize learning programs, create connections between people, and teach and guide sovereign individuals who are striving to improve their own lives, their region, and society in general, with the aim of building a sustainable, symbiotic society. This totality is what kominkan projects and activities are all about.