Government-Sponsored Urban Sprawl In Japan

In an effort to reduce costs, Japan introduces an odd set of incentives to reduce the number of the nation's 3,200 municipalities to 1,000.

1 minute read

August 7, 2003, 11:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen

"Proponents say fewer but larger cities will save money and improve efficiency. Skeptics like Shinya fear a different outcome: government that is less responsive and less convenient... Small towns can choose to go it alone, but a system of carrots and sticks crafted by the central government makes it a costly proposition. "'This utter despotism will only kill off towns and villages,' groused one group of local officials... Exactly how the decision to merge is made can be a bit murky."

Thanks to Laura Kranz

FULL STORY: Japan Tests Its City Limits

Thursday, August 7, 2003 in The Los Angeles Times

Government / Politics United States

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