Significance of the Social Welfare Corporation System Reform in Communities under Decentralization

: Focusing on the Legislation of Public Interest Activity

Abstract

In the reform of the social welfare corporation system, public interest activity is now legislated. Public interest activity has mainly been explored from the viewpoint of community-based welfare. This article examines the significance of public interest activity by a social welfare corporation in a community under decentralization from the perspective of local autonomy. It also proposes a hypothesis for empirical research.First, this paper theoretically systematizes public interest activity by using a definition of the “business domain.” Then, considering the environmental changes of communities under decentralization （the changes in the role of local government, municipal mergers and the reorganization of governance, and demands for regional revitalization）, the contribution to the policy-making process, the promotion of regional collaboration in a decentralized society, and the realization of “community empowerment” are examined. However, for these, not only organizational governance reform of the social welfare corporation but also organizational collaboration within the administration and public and private collaboration are indispensable. Therefore, reform of the social welfare corporation system also signifies that a role for local community management is required for local government.