JVCampus
JVCampus

Subject | International Affairs

  • Learning

Politics and Legal and Judicial Technical Assistance for Peace

  • Local Government
  • Participation
  • Rule of Law
  • Development and Law

International Cooperation, basic theories, meaning and interpretations of indicators and challenges of developing countries in political sciences and law. Japanese politics, administration and law

  • Target
    Master
  • Language
    English
  • Caption
    English
  • Lecture time
    45-60min.
  • Start month
    Anytime
  • Length
    No setting
  • Delivery method
    Ondemand
©Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies, Kobe University.  Last Update 2025-10-01
  • Content
    学習内容
  • Staff
    スタッフ
  • Competency
    コンピテンシー
  • Information
    その他の情報
  • Contact
    お問合せ
  • Related Contents
    関連コンテンツ

Content／学習内容

  • Introduction to Politics and Development
    • Democracy
    • Participation

    As an introduction to this course, we will review the fundamental concepts of political science related to development, and then begin the lectures that will utilize these concepts.

    Videos

    ／学習動画

    • Introduction of GSICS

      This　part　introduces　Kobe　University　and　provide　an　overview　of　the　Graduate　School　of　International　Cooperation Studies, as well as explain the profile of the professionals it aims to cultivate.

    • Course Description

      This part provides guidance on the course content and objectives.

    • What Is Politics?

      This part explains politics and its adjacent concept, power.

    Lecturers

    ／講師

    • Kan Kimura

      Dean and Professor, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies, Kobe University

  • Local Government
    • Public Service
    • Participation

    We begin this course by reviewing the concept of local government, a fundamental idea in political science that is closely connected to development.

    Videos

    ／学習動画

    • Why Is Local Government Important?

      This part explains the significance of addressing local government.

    • Local Government and Participation

      This part explains the importance of viewing local governance through the lens of participation.

    • Limitation of Local Government

      This part discusses the inherent limitations and challenges within local governance.

    Lecturers

    ／講師

    • Jun Matsunami

      Vice Dean and Professor, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies, Kobe University

  • Welfare State
    • Power Resource Mobilization Theory
    • Democratic class struggle
    • Globalization
    • Democratization

    We will review the welfare state, which is an important concept for understanding modern politics and development. We will then learn about the varieties of welfare states and their challenges in an era of globalization.

    Videos

    ／学習動画

    • What Is a Welfare State?

      This part introduces the definition of the welfare state and explains how it has evolved in Western Europe.

    • Varieties of Welfare States

      This part examines political theories that account for variations in welfare states and explores their applicability to Japan.

    • Globalization and Welfare States

      This part examines the impact of globalization on welfare states and the challenges in social welfare in the Global South.

    Lecturers

    ／講師

    • Yusuke Kawamura

      Associate Professor, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies, Kobe University

  • Governance
    • Governance
    • Stakeholder
    • NPM

    We begin this course by reviewing the concept of governance, a core concept in political science related to development.

    Videos

    ／学習動画

    • From Government to Governance

      This part explains the relationship between the two concepts: government and governance.

    • Stakeholders

      This part explains each stakeholder and their interrelationships.

    • What Can Governance Reform Do?​

      This part explains what governance reform can and cannot do.

    Lecturers

    ／講師

    • Jun Matsunami

      Vice Dean and Professor, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies, Kobe University

  • Bureaucracy
    • Max Weber
    • Bureaucratic Power

    We begin this course by reviewing the concept of bureaucracy, a key concept in political science related to development.

    Videos

    ／学習動画

    • Who Are Bureaucrats?

      This part explains who bureaucrats are, followed by Max Weber’s theory of bureaucracy.

    • Power of Bureaucracy

      This part explains how the power of bureaucracy has been discussed.

    • Discussions with Thammasat University Professors

      This part features a discussion with professors from Thammasat University on the study of political science.

    Lecturers

    ／講師

    • Jun Matsunami

      Vice Dean and Professor, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies, Kobe University

    • Supasawad Chardchawarn

      Rector, Thammasat University

    • Supreedee Rittironk

      Vice Rector, Thammasat University

  • Historical Development of Local Government in Japan: Before WWII
    • local assembly
    • expansion of democracy
    • re-centralization

    We will examine the development of local government in Japan up to the end of World War II.

    Videos

    ／学習動画

    • Start of Modern Local Government

      This part explains the development of Japan’s modern local government system after the Meiji period.

    • Democratization Step by Step

      This part explains the gradual democratization of the local government system up to the 1930s.

    • Centralization during WWII

      This part explains the centralization during World War II and the postwar reforms.

    Lecturers

    ／講師

    • Jun Matsunami

      Vice Dean and Professor, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies, Kobe University

  • Historical Development of Local Government in Japan: After WWII
    • reform in local finance
    • decentralization reform

    We will examine the development of local government in Japan since the end of World War II.

    Videos

    ／学習動画

    • Local Government Reform as a Part of Occupational Reform

      This part explains the local government reform carried out as part of the postwar occupation reforms.

    • Stability of the Local Government System

      This part explains the stability of the local government system from the 1960s to the 1990s.

    • Decentralization Reforms after 1990s

      This part explains the decentralization reforms that took place after the 1990s.

    Lecturers

    ／講師

    • Jun Matsunami

      Vice Dean and Professor, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies, Kobe University

  • Governor (Mayor), Assembly and Election
    • governor (mayor ), local assembly, residents and their relations,
    • participation by residents

    We will examine the relationship between governors (or mayors) and local assemblies, as well as the elections through which they are chosen.

    Videos

    ／学習動画

    • How Are Politicians Elected?

      This part explains the election systems for governors, mayors, and local assembly members.

    • Governor (Mayor), Assembly and the People

      This part explains the relationships among governors (mayors), local assemblies, and the residents.

    • How Do People Participate?

      This part explains how residents participate, focusing on forms of direct participation and the scope of residency.

    Lecturers

    ／講師

    • Jun Matsunami

      Vice Dean and Professor, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies, Kobe University

  • Local Finance
    • local tax
    • LAT
    • subsidiary

    We will review the local finance system in Japan.

    Videos

    ／学習動画

    • Japanese local finance

      This part provides an overview of Japan’s local finance system.

    • Various Local Taxes

      This part explains the various sources of local taxes in Japan.

    • Financial Redistribution

      This part explains the large-scale financial redistribution within the local finance system.

    Lecturers

    ／講師

    • Jun Matsunami

      Vice Dean and Professor, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies, Kobe University

  • Public Service Delivery
    • public corporation
    • privatization

    We will review various methods of public service delivery.

    Videos

    ／学習動画

    • Who Delivers Public Services?

      This part explains governmental enterprises and public corporations.

    • Can Market Solve Problems?

      This part explains the idea that markets, including privatization, can solve public sector problems.

    • Re-Municipalization

      This part explains re-municipalization, including its causes and specific examples.

    Lecturers

    ／講師

    • Jun Matsunami

      Vice Dean and Professor, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies, Kobe University

  • Local Government Employees
    • personnel administration

    We will examine the background of Japan’s local government personnel system and understand its strengths and weaknesses.

    Videos

    ／学習動画

    • Who Are Local Governmental Employees?

      This part explains the types and number of local government employees in Japan.

    • Weak Sides of Japanese Local Government Personnel Administration

      This part explains the challenges and weaknesses of local government personnel administration.

    • Discussions with Thammasat University Professors

      This part features a discussion with professors from Thammasat University on Japanese local government.

    Lecturers

    ／講師

    • Jun Matsunami

      Vice Dean and Professor, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies, Kobe University

    • Supasawad Chardchawarn

      Rector, Thammasat University

    • Supreedee Rittironk

      Vice Rector, Thammasat University

  • Modernization of Law and Judicial System in Japan
    • Modernization of laws
    • Legal reform
    • Judicial reform
    • German Law

    We will review the significance of Japan’s legal development assistance to developing countries in Asia and beyond, considering Japan’s reception of Western legal systems since the Meiji era.

    Videos

    ／学習動画

    • The Adoption of Western Law During the Meiji Era (I)

      This part explores Japan’s adoption of Western legal systems during the Meiji era, focusing on unequal treaties and the influence of French law.

    • The Adoption of Western Law During the Meiji Era (II)

      This part examines the controversy over the Civil Code and the impact of common law on Japan’s legal system during the Meiji era.

    • The Adoption of Western Law During the Meiji Era (III)

      This part discusses the effects of German law, the compilation of Japan’s Civil Code, and the impact of American law after World War II.

    Lecturers

    ／講師

    • Kenji Yotsumoto

      Professor, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies, Kobe University

  • International Assistance for Legal Reform
    • Law & Development
    • Model Law
    • Insolvency Law Reform
    • Land Law Reform

    This lecture will explore the issues of international assistance for legal and institutional reform, a field that has emerged in the mainstream of international development assistance since the 1990s, from the viewpoint of “law & development” studies.

    Videos

    ／学習動画

    • Choosing the Model Law

      In Part 1, we will consider the issues of “model law” being promoted by the donor agencies of international assistance for legal development, from the viewpoint of “law & development” studies.

    • Case Studies on Insolvency Law

      In Part 2, we will learn about the issues of international assistance for “law & development” through the reference to some actual cases, with a particular focus on “insolvency law reform.”

    • Case Studies on Land Law

      In Part 3, we will learn about the issues of international assistance for “law & development” through the reference to some actual cases, with a particular focus on “land law reform.”

    Lecturers

    ／講師

    • Yuka Kaneko

      Professor, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies, Kobe University

  • Labor Law and International Cooperation
    • Human Rights
    • Law
    • Migrants
    • Technical Intern Training Program

    After explaining the basic concepts of labor contracts and the fundamental contents of labor law, outline the issues of Japan’s Technical Intern Training Program, which advocates international cooperation.

    Videos

    ／学習動画

    • Basic Concept of Labor Contract

      This part will explain the basic concept of labor and the nature of labor contracts.

    • National Circumstances and Labor Laws

      This part will explain Individual Labor law and Collective Labor law.

    • Migrant Workers and Labor Law

      This part will examine the general situation of the Technical Intern Training Program and its main issues.

    Lecturers

    ／講師

    • Yoshihisa Saito

      Associate Professor, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies, Kobe University

  • Conclusion and Further Study​
    • Law
    • Comparison

    We will explore how to further pursue the study of political science and law.

    Videos

    ／学習動画

    • Approaches from Political Science

      This part explains how political science can be used to analyze the issues discussed in this course.

    • Approaches from Law Studies

      This part explains how law studies can approach and analyze these issues.

    • Discussions with Thammasat University Professors

      This part features a discussion with professors from Thammasat University on the topics covered in this course.

    Lecturers

    ／講師

    • Jun Matsunami

      Vice Dean and Professor, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies, Kobe University

    • Supasawad Chardchawarn

      Rector, Thammasat University

    • Supreedee Rittironk

      Vice Rector, Thammasat University

Staff／スタッフ

    Kan Kimura
    Kobe University Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies
    Dean and Professor
    Career

    Major: Political Science

    Jun Matsunami
    Kobe University Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies
    Vice Dean and Professor
    Career

    Major: Political Science

    Yusuke Kawamura
    Kobe University Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies
    Associate Professor
    Career

    Major: Political Science

    Supasawad Chardchawarn
    Thammasat University
    Rector
    Supreedee Rittironk
    Thammasat University
    Vice Rector
    Kenji Yotsumoto
    Kobe University Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies
    Professor
    Career

    Major: Law, Law and Development Studies（Cambodian law）

    Yuka Kaneko
    Kobe University Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies
    Professor
    Career

    Major: Law

    Yoshihisa Saito
    Kobe University Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies
    Associate Professor
    Career

    Major: Labor Law

Competency／コンピテンシー

Course Objectives

Acquire basic capacity for further advanced study by studying the contents explained in the above.

Learning Outcomes

Acquire policy recommendation capacity by studying the contents explained in the above.

Information／その他の情報

References

Hozumi, Nobushige (1884). “Godai Hozoku no Setsu [Theory of the Five Great Families of Law],” The journal of the Jurisprudence Association, No. 1 (1) & (5). ​
Mikazuki, Akira (1982) Hougaku Nyumon [Introduction to Law]. Kobundo.
Ikawa, Hiroshi (2010), “The Development of the Prewar Local Autonomy System (1909－1929)”..
http://www.clair.or.jp/j/forum/honyaku/hikaku/pdf/HD_JLG_3_en.pdf
Weber, Max (2015) “Bureaucracy” in Weber’s Rationalism and Modern Society, Palgrave Macmillan. (originally published in 1921)
Aberbach, J. D. et al. (1981), “Energy and equilibrium in the policy process” in Bureaucrats and Politicians in Western Democracies, Harvard University Press.
Hood, Christopher (1995), “The ‘New Public Management’ in the 1980s: Variations on a theme”,.
Accounting, Organizations and Society, Vol.20 (2/3), pp.93-105..
Cheema, G. Shabbir and Dennis A. Rondinell (2007) “From government decentralization to decentralized governance”, in Cheema, G. Shabbir and Dennis A. Rondinell (eds.) (2007), Decentralizing Governance, Brookings Institution Press.
Inatsugu, Hiroaki (2001), “Personnel systems and policies of local governments” in Muramatsu, Michio et al. (eds.) (2001), Local Government Development in Post-War Japan, Oxford University Press.
Akizuki, Kengo (2005), “Human resource management in local government in Japan” in Cheung, Anthony B. L. (ed.) (2005), Public Service Reform in East Asia, The Chinese University Press.
Matsunami, Jun (2024), “Institutional Differentiation of Public Service Provision in Japan: Corporatisation,.
Privatisation, and Re-Municipalisation” in Agata, Koichiro, Hiroaki Inatsugu, Hideaki Shiroyama (eds.) (2024), Public Administration in Japan, Macmillan.
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-58610-1_14
Yuka Kaneko (2019) Civil Law Reforms in Post-Colonial Asia: Beyond Western Capitalism, Springer
Yuka Kaneko, Narufumi Kadomatsu & Brian Tamanaha, eds. (2021) Land Law and Disputes in Asia: In Search for an Alternative Development, Routledge
Yuka Kaneko, Insolvency Law Reforms in the ASEAN Emerging Economies: Consequences of the Donor Model Designed for Economic Crises, Springer
Ohsugi, Satoru (2007), “People and Local Government” http://www.clair.or.jp/j/forum/honyaku/hikaku/pdf/BunyabetsuNo1en.pdf
Ohsugi, Satoru (2008), “Local Assemblies in Japan” http://www.clair.or.jp/j/forum/honyaku/hikaku/pdf/BunyabetsuNo5en.pdf
Matsufuji, Yasutaka (2010), “The Creation of the Postwar System of Local Autonomy (1946-1951)” http://www.clair.or.jp/j/forum/honyaku/hikaku/pdf/HD_JLG_5_en.pdf
Ikawa, Hiroshi (2008), “15 Years of Decentralization Reform in Japan”.
http://www.clair.or.jp/j/forum/honyaku/hikaku/pdf/up-to-date_en4.pdf
Béland, Daniel, and Rianne Mahon. 2023. Advanced introduction to social policy. 2nd edition. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.
Weber, Max. 2004. “Politics as Vocation.” In D. Owen & T. B. Strong (Eds.), R. Livingstone (Trans.) The Vocation Lectures. Hackett Company (Original work published 1919).
Gellner, Ernest. 1990. Plough, Sword and Book: The Structure of Human History. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (2024), White Paper on Local Public Finance, 2024.
https://www.soumu.go.jp/iken/zaisei/r06data/chihouzaisei_2024_en.pdf
Treisman, Daniel (2007), The Architecture of Government. Cambridge University Press, ch.1.

Contact／お問合せ先

Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies, Kobe University
Contact for JV-Campus contents.
Email: gsics-jvc@office.kobe-u.ac.jp

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