Factors for Sustainable Regional Revitalization: Analysis of Cases of Regional Revitalization in Japan

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Japan faces issues of low birth rates, aging populations, and population concentration in metropolitan areas. These problems imply the looming crisis of 'regional extinction', where future regions in Japan could face disappearance. In response, Japan has actively implemented regional revitalization policies since 2016. This paper focuses on the community as a crucial element for realizing regional revitalization. It presents two cases in Japan that are recognized as successful in regional revitalization, contrasting them with unsuccessful cases for analysis. Through this examination, the study identifies the pivotal role of communities in executing regional revitalization projects. The research underscores key features such as community-led direction setting, resident-driven project execution with administrative support, and the establishment of sustainable governance systems supporting these initiatives. The findings contribute to a nuanced understanding of the factors influencing successful sustainable regional revitalization efforts, which are pertinent not only to Japan but also to Korea, facing common challenges.