Abstract
The Kamaishi research group of the Institute of Social Science, the University of Tokyo, has presented ‘restructuring of local identity’ as one of requirements for local revitalization. However, in the reports issued by the research group in 2009, the definition of the ‘local identity’ was incomplete. Furthermore, the case of Kamaishi didn’t clearly rationalize the logic that it contributes to local revitalization. Regarding the latter, in author’s opinion, it has been rationalized by the cases of Kuzumaki-cho in Iwate prefecture and Ikeda-cho in Fukui prefecture. In Kuzumaki-cho, visitors have increased since they introduced new local mantra ‘town of clean energy’. In Ikeda-cho, several environmental groups have been formed since the town’s promotion to encourage eco-town development. Considering these cases, by defining ‘local area (society)’ as municipality, the local identity can be apprehended as what is described in municipal slogan/catch-phrase. Extending this, the restructuring of local identity can be considered as a part of municipality’s strategy.
