## Chapter 1, Section 2: Regenerating Local Community “Ties” via ICT

### 3. Revitalization of Local Community “Ties” via Local SNS

There are more than 500 local SNS throughout Japan. A variety of bodies, such as companies, governments and NPOs, run them. Most users are over 30.

☐ SNS in urban regions focus on “Crime Prevention and Safety” and the “Interaction of City Residents”; SNS in rural regions focus on “Disseminating Local Information Outside the Region” and “Developing New Regional Media and Archives”.

☐ 60% of local SNS users feel that these SNS are effective for “Meeting People”, “Obtaining Regional Information”, “Developing Regional Attachment”, etc.

Operating Bodies

Age (of users)

Purpose of Local SNS (Urban/Rural)

Promotion of cooperation between residents and the government	Urban	31.8	27.3	22.7	13.6	4.5
Rural	31.8	50.0	13.6	4.8
Participation in government by residents and solicitation of residents' opinions	Urban	18.2	22.7	31.8	4.5	22.7
Rural	13.6	31.8	50.0	0.0	4.6
Promotion of disaster prevention, safety, etc., on the part of residents	Urban	36.4	27.3	22.7	4.5	9.1
Rural	22.7	31.8	22.7	4.5	18.2
Strengthening of crime prevention, such as through the sharing of information on suspicious persons	Urban	22.7	91.6	27.3	13.6	4.5
Rural	18.2	27.3	22.7	13.6	16.2
Promotion of interaction amongst residents	Urban	82.6	27.3	13.6	4.3	0.0
Rural	68.2	27.3	0.0	4.5	0.0
Invigoration of circles and civic activities	Urban	82.6	27.3	8.7	4.3	4.3
Rural	68.2	27.3	0.0	4.5	0.0
Circulation, accumulation and dissemination of regional information within the region	Urban	70.0	20.0	5.0	5.0	0.0
Rural	68.4	26.3	5.3	0.0	0.0
Dissemination of regional information outside the region	Urban	35.0	30.0	20.0	15.0	0.0
Rural	42.1	36.8	15.8	5.3	0.0
Creation of new regional media and archives	Urban	31.8	27.3	31.8	4.5	4.5
Rural	45.5	18.2	22.7	9.1	4.5
Promotion of the local economy	Urban	22.7	36.4	16.2	18.2	4.5
Rural	18.2	36.4	31.8	13.6	0.0
Promotion of shopping and tourist districts	Urban	21.7	43.5	17.4	8.7	5.7
Rural	22.7	40.9	31.8	4.5	0.0
Part of one's business	Urban	19.0	14.3	23.8	36.1	0.0
Rural	9.1	16.2	27.3	40.9	0.0
Strengthening of relationships with one's clients	Urban	23.6	19.0	14.3	38.1	0.0
Rural	13.6	4.5	9.1	45.5	0.0

Effectiveness of Local SNS

| 37.8 | 38.5 | 11.5 | 6.0 | 6.1
Provided new information about the region | 37.8 | 38.5 | 11.5 | 6.0 | 6.1
Increased number of new friends | 45.5 | 24.9 | 13.1 | 6.7 | 9.9
Deepened affection for local area | 26.7 | 36.4 | 21.4 | 7.1 | 8.4
Saw a new side to existing friends | 19.5 | 36.4 | 21.9 | 9.1 | 13.1
Made me feel more connected with the local government's policies | 20.5 | 32.5 | 23.7 | 12.2 | 11.2
Deepened relationship with existing friends | 23.5 | 24.7 | 28.6 | 8.2 | 15.0
Increased opportunities for local sales and purchases | 16.4 | 24.6 | 33.0 | 11.8 | 14.2
Contributed to my work | 15.9 | 23.1 | 31.1 | 10.7 | 19.1
Increased opportunities to have fun with local friends | 13.8 | 18.6 | 31.6 | 15.1 | 21.0
Increased my participation in local activities | 8.0 | 12.2 | 35.4 | 18.3 | 26.1

(Source) Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications “Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and International University of Japan GLOCOM ‘Survey of Local SNS’” (2010)