NIRA Policy Research 2005 Vol.18 No.10 Doshusei Regional System
What are the goals of the "doshusei" regional system? - Debate over a larger-scale local government system[ Introduction | Contents ]
Summary Feature Article
Round-Table Discussion
- How should we consider the "doshusei" system? -- Towards establishing a governance model for a decentralized self-governing nation
Yoshiki Kimura Governor of Wakayama Prefecture Naohiko Jinno Dean, Graduate School of Economics/ Faculty of Economics, University of Tokyo Katsuo Matsumoto Editorial Writer, The Nihon Keizai Shimbun Yasuo Sawai Executive Vice President, NIRA Why is the doshusei system being discussed now? What are the roles of the nation, wide-area local governments (doshu) and basic local governments (municipalities) and the relationships among them? What will happen to the prefectural system? What scale will the "region" that comprises doshu take? Don't debates over systems of governance disturb the so-called "trinity reform" and practical efforts towards decentralization of power from central government to local governments and the civil sector? Can people sympathize with the debate over the doshusei regional system?
At this roundtable discussion, the present situation of the ongoing debate over the doshusei system is heard from leaders in this field.
- The History of the Examination of the Doshusei System and its Recent Status
Yasuaki Kadoyama
Chief of Local Administration Division, Local Administration Bureau, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications
Against the backdrop of increased awareness of changes in municipalities, including their numerical decline, the need to deal with administrative issues beyond prefectures, and the economic strength of regional blocs, the business community, local governments, and political parties have made proposals on the doshusei system one after another since 2003. In March 2004, Prime Minister Koizumi consulted with the 28th Local Government System Research Council regarding the "best form of doshusei system," and in November 2004, a memorandum on discussion points was announced. Since then, the council has continued to facilitate energetic deliberations, including the holding of opinion exchange meetings in regional areas, and plans to submit a report in February 2006.
- The Doshusei System: Aiming at Regional Sovereignty - Hokkaido's Proposal and Advanced Implementation
Harumi Takahashi
Governor of Hokkaido
The Hokkaido-version "doshusei" system is not a mere prefectural merger nor integration with local instruments of government, but an administrative system to establish "regional sovereignty" that would enable each region to decide its own matters. In particular, the following points seem to be important in the Hokkaido-version system; (1) placing basic autonomous bodies (municipalities) at the center of administration; (2) transferring the authority of planning institutions to local governments; and (3) securing financial resources and expanding the degree of freedom. In parallel with consideration of this doshusei system, Hokkaido actively addresses what can be done now. For example, the prefecture makes a "proposal towards a special zone of the doshusei system" that requires the central government to transfer its authority, while promoting the large-scale transfer of administrative services and authority to municipalities within Hokkaido. It is expected that the realization of a regional sovereignty-type society will activate community and private-sector activities.
- Outline of NIRA's Proposal on a Wide-Area Local Government System and its Basic Ideas
Yasuo Sawai
Executive Vice President of NIRA
The Japanese society suffers from long-term population decline and a severe management environment, including structural fiscal deficits, and consequently needs innovations in every field. To revitalize the entire society by rejuvenating local areas, it is critical to realize a thoroughly decentralized self-governing state, and it is urgently necessary to establish a governance model in tune with such a state. This paper proposes a decentralized local governance model that is necessary in conjunction with central government reform that can adapt to globalization. That is to say, it proposes local governmental system reforms, including the introduction of wide-area local governments (shu or state), that enable autonomous regional management.
- Can the Doshusei System be Realized? - Previous Discussions and Future Prospects
Shigeru Tamura
Associate Professor, Niigata University, Legal Practice
The debate over the doshusei system has been picking up momentum recently. Political parties include this system in their manifestos, and the 28th Local Government System Research Council is expected to submit a report on the doshusei system next year. The current paper first briefly surveys arguments concerning the doshusei system that have been repeatedly proposed from various quarters throughout the pre- and post-war periods and also refers to situations abroad. Thereafter, the paper characterizes the content of doshusei system proposals, clarifies their features, and attempts to identify points of controversy. Based on these, this paper refers to the significance of widening discussions to include political leaders and citizens with respect to the significance of and problems surrounding the doshusei system, which will lead to changes in the ideal form of national governance and establish a decentralized society in the real sense of the term.
Regional Report
- Survey Research on an Urban Wide-area Administration Utilizing the ICT Foundation Created through the Joint Initiatives between the Public and Private Sectors
Hiroki Ishibashi
Researcher, Research Department, Kansai Institute of Information System & Industrial Renovation
Jun Mizukami
Senior Researcher, Hyogo Economic Research Institute
This project examined the ideal form of regional CRM (Customer/Citizen Relationship Management) that supports wide-area development of measures whose form broadly incorporates the needs of citizens and companies. By collecting citizen opinions in broader-based administrative areas, this project proposed four specific ideas of broader-based administrative projects as practical models and elicited specific images and steps for realization to address them.
In addition, by analyzing the answers to a citizen questionnaire survey, it was found that there is difference in trends between opinions collected through the internet and by postcard, and that traditional media (postcard, telephone, window, etc.) played a significant role in collecting the opinions of residents.
Forum
Research Report from "NIRA Public Policy Research Seminar 2004" (3)
Regional Cooperation and East AsiaIn the NIRA Public Policy Research Seminar (NIRA Seminar), participants write case study papers that are summarized as policy case study reports. In the 2004 seminar, three subjects A, B and C were selected from among the topics on which NIRA has been able to achieve substantial results, and each was studied by a group of participants. Consequently, three policy case study reports were published in June, 2005.
An outline and two papers from this report are presented focusing on the report drafted by Group B.
- Mutual Exchange between Japanese and Chinese Local Governments Seen from the Perspective of Friendship City Affiliation
Jun Makita
Policy Secretary to Mr. Hiroshi Imai, Member of the House of Representatives
We conducted three case studies, each study looking at cities with different population levels, on friendship city affiliation between Japanese and Chinese local governments. The friendship city affiliation between Yokohama and Shanghai is characterized as large-scale, continuous, and practical exchange, the affiliation between Takasaki and Chengde Cities is characterized as multilateral, and the affiliation between Misato Village and Wusan Jiedao is characterized as "active for its size" and the existence of common fields.
Then, we conducted a comparative analysis of the three cases, which clarified the following three points: (1) as the population increases, the number, frequency, size and width of friendly exchange projects increase; (2) as the population increases, it becomes more likely that the content of exchange will become practical; and (3) partnership between middle-sized cities is suitable for multilateral exchanges.
- The Formation of a Transportation Network Connecting the Coastal Area of the Japan Sea with the Opposite Shore
Megu Sato
Researcher, Public Planning & Policy Studies Inc.
The purpose of this paper is to argue the tasks of and prospects for the formation of a transformation network in the Japan Sea focusing on two important areas for establishing a Japan Sea route: the Tumen River area and the coast of the Japan Sea. First, we create an overview of the two areas' geographical backgrounds and the status of physical distribution between them. Then, we organize the surrounding nations' awareness of interests concerning the construction of a Japan Sea route as well as development and construction plans of Zarubino Port and Rajin Port in the Tumen River area and Niigata Port in the coastal area of the Japan Sea. Based on these, we consider tasks of and prospects for regional development of Northeast Asia and the formation of a wide-area economic zone in the region.
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