open access

https://hdl.handle.net/2115/95439

Current status and challenges of municipalities in an era of population decline : Based on survey results of municipalities in Hokkaido

日本語

digital transformation

2025-03-31

北海道大学公共政策大学院

Annals, Public Policy Studies

19

87-103

This article aims to provide an overview of the results of a survey and research on Regional policies in an era of population decline” conducted by us over a three-year period from 2022 together with the Hokkaido Development Association's Development Research Institute, in order to clarify how municipalities in Hokkaido are responding to policy issues in an era of population decline, and to consider the current situation and issues that emerge from the survey results. In the “Human Resources” section, first, it was empirically shown that most municipalities are struggling to secure human resources, and that it is particularly difficult to hire specialized staff. Secondly, the basic response to the shortage of specialized staff is to make up for the shortage with the current number of staff and to carry out business by outsourcing, assuming that the status of the administrative structure will be maintained. Thirdly, most municipalities are actively working to utilize external human resources to promote tourism and revitalize the region. In the “Policy” section, we asked about the utilization of the Grants for “Digital Garden City” Initiative and decarbonization policies. The number of municipalities utilizing the Grants was about 60% in the “digital implementation type” which had the largest number of applicants. It is worth noting that these local governments are utilizing the Support for the Introduction of Excellent Models (TYPE 1) and that it is common for them to create their plans with reference to the plans of other local governments. However, this does not only mean highly specialized human resources; for example, there appears to be a shortage of human resources to accept experts and advisors and to handle the day-to-day operation of new administrations launched with grant funding.

紀要論文

Version of Record

1881-9818

AA12291642