JICA Governance and Peacebuilding Department; Aiming to improve local government - make good use of Japanese experiences-

Used as pre-learning for the online seminar

In the online seminar, 20 people participated from G5 Sahel countries.

We utilized JICA-Net multimedia-based learning materials, "A Message from the Reconstruction of Hiroshima- The Role and Actions of Local Government in Reconstruction -" and "History of Japanese Local Government System -Experiences from Learning and Reform", on the online seminar "Data Collection Survey on Peace and Stability in G5 Sahel Countries", which had been held for 5 days, on June and July, 2021.

This online seminar mainly intended to share Japanese local government's role, activities, experiences and knowledge with participants who were key persons of each municipality, and through exchange of opinions among lecturers and participants, we also intended to enable participants make good use of those experiences for activities in their own countries.

In the online seminar, 20 people participated, who were local administrators and officials taking in charge of decentralization in central government of G5 Sahel countries (Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Mauritania, and Chad).

Government officials played an important role in the Reconstruction of Hiroshima

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony. JICA trainees from overseas participate this ceremony.

"A Message from the Reconstruction of Hiroshima - The Role and Actions of Local Government in Reconstruction -" (external link) introduces the progress of the reconstruction of Hiroshima after WWII, and shows the role of government officials and the importance of leadership in the process. For the reconstruction of Hiroshima, cooperation among country, prefecture and city, and between local government and residents were indispensable as well as government officials' effort.

We used this material because it fitted with the theme focused in the seminar: reconstruction of community in conflict-affected regions, role and responsibility of government officials in the process of reconstruction, cooperation and trust building with residents.

The material is multi-lingual (Japanese, English, Spanish, and French). Because this seminar was aim to French-speaking countries, we used French version.

In 5days online seminar, we made a program of Hiroshima's effort for post-war reconstruction. After participants had watched the material as pre-learning in their own countries, we connected Japan with 5 countries online and discussed with the vice-governor of Hiroshima Prefecture. And then, the former official of Hiroshima Prefecture provided a lecture.

Because participants had understood the progress outline toward the reconstruction of Hiroshima by watching the material in advance, they seemed to empathize strongly with the message of vice-governor about the role and responsibility of central and local government in the reconstruction process. They asked many questions and made comments about securing the budget and creating a society where people trusted in each other.

Japanese local government system has been made with many efforts

In the second half of videos, the material explains basic information of Japanese local government with illustrations.

"History of Japanese Local Government System -Experiences from Learning and Reform"* introduces the history, process, and structure of Japanese local government with various examples. The material includes videos and documents. In the first half of videos, the material shows how Japan has tackled problems that developing countries face today, and in the second half, explains basic information of Japanese local government. In documents part, a glossary and references are provided.

In the material, the history and system of Japanese local government are organized to understand easily. In addition, as French is the official language of the participating countries, we used this material which has a French version.

Since the online seminar was held only in the morning on local time for 5 days, it was difficult to spare much time for questions and answers during lecturing the transition and present condition of Japanese local government system. However, watching the material as pre-learning, the participants had supplementary information that was not covered enough in the online seminar.

In the lecture held on the day after watching the material, there were many questions from participants. It seemed that they had a high interest in Japanese local government.

Especially, watching the material in advance deepened their understanding of the history and structure of Japanese local government, and there was an animated discussion. The exchange of views during the online seminar was very fruitful.

The material is about one-hour long. If the material is shortened to 30 minutes long and uploaded to YouTube to watch freely, participants will be able to share the history and system of Japanese local government with their colleagues easily and effectively.

*This material is limited viewing to people who are engaged in JICA's projects. For more information, please contact us through JICA-Net Library Desk (eitpl-jicanet@jica.go.jp).

To share Japanese experiences widely

On this time, as above-mentioned, we utilized both of the two materials as pre-learning. We thought that the materials were not only helpful to make effective use of the limited time of the online seminar but also brought more positive exchange of views and deep understanding because of all participants taking the common knowledge by watching the material.

We would like to share experiences of Japanese local government through the materials and the online seminar, and hope that it will be useful for people who are central and local officials taking charge of reconstructing local community, planning and implementing the development plan in conflict-affected regions, also for people and members of civil society group who are involved in cooperation with government and residents, when they work in their own countries.

Sawako Yoshino
JICA Governance and Peacebuilding Department
Peacebuilding Room
Mayumi Fujiyama
NTC INTERNATIONAL Co., Ltd.

*The Material(s) mainly applied

A Message from the Reconstruction of Hiroshima- The Role and Actions of Local Government in Reconstruction -

"This material demonstrates the roles and activities of local governance in the process of reconstruction from the conflict from the experience of Hiroshima. Within this material, following features are particularly focused on, such as 1) Development and sharing of reconstruction vision 2) Political leadership by mayor and commitment by government officials 3) Seamless transition between each reconstruction phase 4) Collaboration between the national, prefectural and city governments 5) Collaboration between citizens and government"

• YouTube (external link)

History of Japanese Local Government System -Experiences from Learning and Reform

"History of Japanese Local Government System -Experiences from Learning and Reform" is the material which introduces the history and structure of local government in Japan, and takes a close look at various historical cases and episodes of reforms. The contents include the assimilation of external model in Japan, Japanese decentralization process and approach, improvements for administrative services and basic profile of Japanese local governments.

*This material is limited viewing to people who are engaged in JICA's projects. For more information, please contact us through JICA-Net Library Desk (eitpl-jicanet@jica.go.jp).