<b>Ten-year revitalization movement for the enhancement of self-governance by residents in a depopulated rural community</b>

• Takao Tomonori

  Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies, Kyoto University

• Sugiman Toshio

  Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies, Kyoto University

Bibliographic Information

Other Title

• <b>住民自治を育む過疎地域活性化運動の10年</b>
• Action research in Chizu, Tottori prefecture, Japan
• 鳥取県智頭町「日本・ゼロ分のイチ村おこし運動」

Abstract

We analyzed how a ten-year revitalization movement enhanced self-governance by residents in Chizu, a typical depopulated rural area in Japan and how it changed the nature of community and the life of residents. The movement aimed to transform the traditional nature of community characterized by conservativeness, exclusiveness and control by a few rich residents into a community where residents could initiate new attempts to revitalize their lives by participative democracy and volunteer activities. In addition, an active exchange program outside the community was encouraged in the movement. Eight villages started the movement in 1997-98 and by 2000, a total of 15 villages had participated. There are a total of 89 villages in Chizu. A village is the smallest unit of community in Chizu composed of 10-50 households with approximately 50-150 residents. Each village established a village council as an organization to promote the revitalization movement and the town office recognized the council as formally representing the village.<br>　　　We administered a questionnaire survey twice in the eight villages; initially in 2000 after 3-4 years had passed since the commencement of the movement, and for the second time, in 2006 when 9-10 years had passed. During the ten-year period from 1997, we collaborated with residents while observing what happened as a result of the movement.<br>　　　We found that (1) the movement permeated throughout a village during the initial 3-4 years and about 60 % of residents continued to participate in it for ten years; (2) the goal of the movement was attained most successfully when two styles of decision-making were used: one was the traditional style in which only the head of household could participate and the other in which anyone could participate; (3) traditional meetings were affected by the movement and became more democratic, (4) 20-30% of residents discovered a new opportunity for their self-realization in the movement and increased their confidence in managing to live actively despite a decrease in birthrates and an increase in life expectancy; and (5) women became more influential than ever before. At the same time, it was found that residents wanted to have a rest after their ten-year transition and have time to explore how their revitalization activities could be continued in the future. Those who could play leadership roles did so in the first five years of the project but during the second half, the hoped for continuation was not sustained. We hypothesized that a larger unit would be required in order to implement changes because the populations of small villages had no more potential for change: their leaders had already emerged. However if the movement were to expand and continue in each traditional district including 10 or more villages, revitalization would be more successful with regard to continued participative democracy and self-governance by residents.

Journal

• Journal of 'Group Dynamics'

  Journal of 'Group Dynamics' 27 (0), 76-101, 2010

  Japan Institute for Group Dynamics

Keywords

• revitalization of community
• self-governance by residents
• participative democracy
• volunteer activities
• depopulated area
• rural area

Details

• CRID: 1390001205484889984
• NII Article ID: 130004998427
• DOI: 10.11245/jjgd.27.76
• ISSN: 21854718
• Text Lang: ja
• Data Source:
  • JaLC
  • CiNii Articles
  • KAKEN
• Abstract License Flag: Disallowed