Institute of Regional Research

Developing the "Community Model" for the future with the local community

Areas on the outskirts of major cities in Japan have historically experienced strong economic growth, rapid population influxes, and huge demand for infrastructure development. However, in a reversal of previous trends, major transformations in Japan′s economy and society now pose various modern-day challenges such as an aging population, aging infrastructure, and consolidation of public facilities as well as the new challenge of learning to live together with people from foreign countries.
The Institute of Regional Research was established to identify and develop solutions to the modern challenges faced by regional areas. It functions as a venue where a diverse range of people from both within and outside the university--including faculty and staff, undergraduate and graduate students, local residents, local governments, businesses, think tanks and NPOs--can come together to share and discuss their insights and experiences. In particular, the institute aims to create a new "Community Model" for the future of regional areas situated near to major cities in an era of population decline.