ABSTRACT

In common with local government systems in other developed countries, Japanese local government confronts numerous acute problems, including the ongoing sustainability of its local waterworks. Municipally-owned Japanese water utilities face a host of difficulties, including falling demand for water, decreased revenue, expensive infrastructure renewal and a shortage of skilled staff, which are compounded by the relatively small size of water utilities. This article seeks to contribute to the literature on Japanese water sector reform by examining the remedial efforts undertaken by two local water utilities to alleviate their circumstances in Iwate prefecture in northern Japan. Various public policy implications are drawn from these case studies.

摘要

与其他发达国家的地方政府系统一样，日本地方政府面临着许多尖锐问题，包括当地自来水厂的持续可持续性。市政所有的日本自来水公司面临着一系列困难，包括用水需求下降、收入减少、基础设施更新费用高昂以及技术人员短缺，而自来水公司规模相对较小则加剧了这些困难。本文旨在通过研究日本北部岩手县两家当地水务公司为缓解他们的情况而采取的补救措施，为日本水部门改革的文献做出贡献。这些案例研究得出了各种公共政策影响。