[Important] Machida City and Hosei University Announce Final Report on Joint Research on the Future of Local Communities

Hosei University (Research Representative: Professor Kazuhiko Nawata) and Machida City have compiled and released the final report of the "Joint Research on the Future of Local Communities in Machida City," conducted over two years from fiscal years 2024 to 2025. This research aimed to grasp the current state of local communities and ensure the sustainability of essential foundations for citizen life, such as welfare and disaster prevention.

Research Structure

Research Body: Hosei University and Machida City

Organizational Structure: [Research Secretariat] Research Representative, Academics, and City Department Staff (Citizen Collaboration Promotion Division, Welfare General Affairs Division, Disaster Prevention Division)

[Research Committee] Research Representative, Academics, City Department Staff, Social Welfare Council, and Machida City Community Activity Support Office

[Internal Project Team] Cross-departmental organization comprising staff from 12 city departments

Current State and Challenges of Local Communities in Machida City

The research identified three main strengths and challenges regarding local communities:

(1) Citizen attachment and intention to reside are steadily increasing

Citizen attachment to their community and intention to reside are steadily growing. Furthermore, younger generations possess a latent desire to "contribute to the community." Based on this foundation, it is necessary to enhance community strength while creating spaces for citizen connection.

(2) A decline in community strength is a challenge

With changes in social structure and lifestyles, participation rates and willingness to engage in neighborhood associations and community councils are decreasing. Neighborhood associations and community councils face challenges such as the uneven burden on chairpersons and some officers, and a shortage of individuals willing to take on officer roles. Additionally, the number of people willing to serve as Minsei-iin (welfare commissioners) and members of fire brigades is also declining, necessitating a review and strengthening of organizational structures.

(3) There are signs of realizing "sustainable local communities"

While the decline in community strength is a challenge, it has also become clear that a large number of citizens have a latent desire to "cooperate for the community." It is necessary to collaboratively create flexible systems and environments where citizens can actively participate according to their interests and skills, thereby uncovering this latent potential.

Roadmap for Realizing Sustainable Local Communities

Based on three policy directions, a roadmap has been drawn outlining concrete steps for collaboration among citizens, community activity groups, specialized organizations, and the administration.

Publication of the Final Report

The full report is available on the Machida City website.

For details, please refer to the QR code below.

https://www.city.machida.tokyo.jp/kurashi/community/local_community/tyukan.html

Future Schedule

Citizen Report Meeting: Scheduled to be held during the "Community Policy Society National Convention (Machida Host)" on July 4th (Sat) and 5th (Sun), 2026.

*"Community Policy Society"

A nationwide research and exchange organization involved in local governance and community policy. Professor Kazuhiko Nawata, the research representative for this study, serves as its president.

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