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Running Hot Spring Onsen and Local Co-delivery: A Case Study from Japan

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Listed:
  • Yukio Kinoshita
  • Brian Dollery

Abstract

Similar to many other developed nations, contemporary Japanese regional and rural local governments face a range of problems including decreasing local populations, rising constraints on income and the associated difficulties in maintaining local community facilities. A growing body of literature has considered the local Japanese co-production policies adopted to meet these challenges. We seek to contribute to this literature by examining the local co-delivery approach developed by Nishiwaga Town, Iwate Prefecture in northern Japan to maintain its local public hot springs onsen. In local Japanese areas, onsen is often an important resource for industry and civil life. Using the Nishiwaga local government area as a case study, we show how it employed innovative local co-delivery involving itself, residents and businesses to preserve most of its onsen. We argue that other regional and rural local governments in Asian countries facing similar circumstances could follow Nishiwaga Town's cost-effective approach to retain its onsen facilities.

Suggested Citation

  • Yukio Kinoshita & Brian Dollery, 2026. "Running Hot Spring Onsen and Local Co-delivery: A Case Study from Japan," Asian Social Science, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 22(2), pages 1-1, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:ibn:assjnl:v:22:y:2026:i:2:p:1
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Isabell Handler, 2022. "Can Senior Travelers Save Japanese Hot Springs? A Psychographic Segmentation of Visitors and Their Intention to Visit Onsen Establishments during COVID-19," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-18, February.
    2. Takeshi Miyazaki, 2014. "Municipal consolidation and local government behavior: evidence from Japanese voting data on merger referenda," Economics of Governance, Springer, vol. 15(4), pages 387-410, November.
    3. Ostrom, Elinor, 1996. "Crossing the great divide: Coproduction, synergy, and development," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 24(6), pages 1073-1087, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • R00 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General - - - General
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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