| Summary: |
Japan is known as a country in which a potent central power reigns over a compliant
pyramidal hierarchy. For planning this has meant strong centralized government
control. Yet, examples of autonomy have always existed in the politics, society,
and economy of Japan and thrive today in various forms, particularly in urban
areas. Following the growth and subsequent collapse of the bubble economy in
1990, and in response to globalization, new trends toward local autonomy and
political and economic decentralization are emerging that must be evaluated in
the context of the larger socio-political system. While the Tokyo megalopolis
and other urban areas have been increasing in size and diversity of functions,
both centralized authority and its expressions in planning are being questioned on
various levels of Japanese government, among citizens, and in academia.
At a time when Japan is ever more integrated into the global system, attempts
at autonomy occur on the level of the neighborhood, the city, the region, and the island.
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