The article touches on the impact of decentralization reforms on local governance in postwar Japan. It delves into the politics of central-local relations before and after the passage of the Packaged Act of Decentralization of 2000. It also takes into account the problems and issues which might have undermined the local administrative capacity. The author concluded his findings by presenting an analytical framework based on what he refers to as the "vigorousness and autonomy" model of local democracy, which explains local government development under a centralized unitary system. This model can be used by developing countries in reexamining their respective local government systems.
