The Rural Policy and Citizen's Participation for Integrated Development in Japan

This paper examines the issues and direction of rural policy in the age of globalization. First, the main problems are analyzed by the typical types of a rural society. Second, the regional policies after 1945 are reviewed. Third, the standpoint is proposed that the rural policy should aim at the integrated development, including non-economic aspects, of rural societies. Fourth, for this purpose, it is shown that citizen's participation in policy making is an essential factor through three case studies. They are Yuza-Machi as a traditional medium-sized rice society, Miyama-Cho as a marginal small-sized mountain society and Habikino-Shi as a large-sized society in the outskirts of a megalopolis. Last, recommendations to policy making institutes and conditions for citizen's participation is considered.The analysis of three cases suggests that integrated development in rural societies is achieved by the policy from the viewpoints of relationships, circulation, diversity and sustainability and citizen's participation. Policy making institutes at each level of villages, municipalities, regions, prefectures and a nation are recommended to carry out their rural policies paying attention to such points.