Identifying Who Transfers Policy frorn Whom in Local Policy Process in Japan: A Cluster Analysis of the Landscape Protection Ordinances

Abstract

This paper investigates the diffusion and policy process of keikanjorei (landscape protection ordinances) in Japan. By using the method of cluster analysis, the paper classifies the ordinances in terms of similarity of policy instruments and identifies who transferred the ordinance from whom. Through the analysis, it is discovered that a municipality refers to peer municipalities, not because they are located near the referring municipality, but because the objectives of their ordinances are relevant to the ordinance that the referring municipality intends to enact.