Analysis of the Continuity of Community Business in Depopulated Areas

Abstract

This paper clarifies the mechanism of Continuity of community businesses such as shopping support projects in depopulated areas by case study. These businesses are facing a decline in users and business operators. Therefore, to continue social business, they are implementing operational assistance from local governments, securing other sources of income, or cost reduction by unpaid work. The analysis suggests that support and cooperation can be obtained when the supporter or organization finds the cost of maintaining a community business reasonable. However, the judgment includes not only the objective judgment by the local government but also the judgment by the individual’s subjectivity.