Das Thema „Regionale Disparitäten“ hat derzeit Konjunktur in Japan. Deröffentlich-rechtliche Rundfunksender NHK begann im April 2007 mit einerlockeren Reihe von Fernsehdokumentationen unter dem ObertitelChiiki hatsu! Dō suru Nippon [Aus den Regionen! Japan, was tun?]. Gesendetetwa jeden...

Since the early 1950s, the Japanese government has followed a paradigmof ‘balanced regional development’ that is based on comprehensive planning approachescharacterized by very high levels of central government control. However,the intended regional economic growth failed to occur and...