An Analysis of Social Media Operation Policies in Japanese Prefectural Governments

This study examines the regional disparities in the use of X by Japanese prefectural governments during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on the role of institutional social media operation policies. While some prefectures actively disseminated timely and frequent updates, others lagged behind, raising questions about the structural and policy-based factors underlying such variation. Through a comparative case analysis of six prefectures, Tokyo, Osaka, Aichi, Aomori, Hokkaido, and Yamagata, this research investigates the content and objectives of social media policies, user communication strategies, and legal-ethical frameworks. The findings reveal considerable inconsistencies in policy design: some governments emphasize internal operational clarity, while others focus on communication or staff guidance. Most adopt a unidirectional communication model, with limited mechanisms for citizen feedback. Legal provisions on misinformation, privacy, and intellectual property vary significantly in scope and specificity. This study underscores the necessity of developing standardized, transparent, and responsive social media governance frameworks in Japanese local governments. It advocates for further research on policy practice alignment, particularly through empirical analysis of post behavior and staff interviews.