A Study of the Relation Between Social Conditions and Appropriations as Involving Local Government

Abstract

The decline in local governmental tax revenues caused by the collapse of Japan's bubble economy and other factors has had a significant impact on the activities of local governments. This is particularly true of subsidies for cultural activities and outlays for cultural facility construction.These expenditures were a result of the growth in tax revenues and the wishes of local residents. There have been significant changes in appropriations for cultural affairs, however, due to the need to balance citizens'daily circumstances with economic conditions. This is reflected in the reduced outlays of local governments for cultural activities over the past five years, owing to the lack of political motivation and the nature of cultural affairs as nonessential administrative issues of secondary importance.This is a report on a follow-up survey of the culturally related budgetary expenditures by local governments in the 40 years since 1960, based on data obtained from questionnaires sent to local governments, and from the national government. Also included is an analysis of the changes resulting from balancing the desire for these expenditures with social conditions.