Local Governance in Japan

Local Governance in Japan is the first comprehensive exploration of local government in Japan, examining the sustainability of local governments operating with limited policy resources. This interdisciplinary study integrates insights from public administration, political science, economics, sociology, and business management. Japan has faced significant challenges in ensuring sustainability from rapid economic growth in the mid-20th century to the bubble's burst in the 1990s, and the population decline since 2008, along with large-scale natural disasters. Amid systemic changes--including a 46% reduction in local governments--local administrations have been developing effective cooperative relationships between local governments and exploring the significance of cooperation with citizens, NPOs, and the private sector. Characterized by extensive public facilities and infrastructure, Japan's local governments provide a model for addressing future governance challenges. This book is essential for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners seeking innovative strategies to maintain public services and navigate the complexities of governance in a resource-constrained world.

Yu Noda is Professor at the Faculty of Policy Studies, Doshisha University. He was a Fulbright Visiting Scholar of Public Administration and Policy at Georgetown University in 2014. Since 2024, he has served as Principal of Doshisha Elementary School. In addition, he provided research guidance to graduate students at the Graduate School of Policy and Management at Doshisha University. His educational activities span all age groups from children to older adults. His research focuses on inter-municipal cooperation, performance information and learning effects of citizens, citizen satisfaction with government services, trust in local governments, and governance reforms. His recent articles have appeared in prominent journals, including Public Administration Review, Public Management Review, Local Government Studies, International Review of Administrative Sciences, Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Administration, and International Journal of Public Administration.