The Reorganization Plan and Future Issues for the Kominkan in Nara City

Abstract

This paper has two objectives. First, it aims to show the trends involving the people who use the Kominkan and the city assembly regarding discussions over the Kominkan reorganization plan that was first proposed and then withdrawn by the city of Nara in 2023. Second, it will zero in on the problems and unsolved issues that emerged from the proposed Kominkan reorganization from the perspective of Kominkan staff.

The outline of the proposed reorganization of the Kominkan by the city of Nara involved the addition of Kominkan functions to the Community Interaction Halls (Chiiki-Fureai-Kaikan), making them centers for local self-government as well as for social education and lifelong learning. Specifically, of the 24 Kominkan, six would have been retained, while the others would have either been transferred to Community Interaction Halls or closed within five years.

The reactions of residents who frequented local Kominkan as well as those of members of the city assembly after the public announcement of the Kominkan reorganization plan showed the level of public trust in the Kominkan. This is why the reorganization plan was withdrawn. Currently, a series of discussions have arisen over a new Kominkan reorganization plan, again highlighting the issues surrounding the Kominkan. In particular, the difficulties of the position of the Nara City Lifelong Learning Foundation as an external organization of the city and of the employees who work there have become apparent. With these points in mind, I will conclude with a discussion about the existence of Kominkan from the perspective of those who utilize them and then raise issues for the future.