Current Status of and Challenges in Regional Policies in Japan

Abstract

This study aims to explain current regional policies in Japan and to explore challenges in relation to the same. Specifically, I will focus on regional revitalisation policies implemented by the Abe cabinet since 2014 and examine whether grants for regional revitalisation policies are distributed in a way that political scientists have disputed for a long time. From the perspective of public policy analyses in political science, I will conduct statistical analyses by using aggregated data of local municipalities in Japan. Thus, I will clarify the current status of and challenges related to regional policies in Japan.