Towards a Society Where Everyone Supports One Another Locally: What Is a “Community-Based Inclusive Society”?

The “Community-Based Inclusive Society” is a policy initiative spearheaded by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. It aims to build a society where all individuals live together while mutually supporting one another within their local communities. This article provides an overview of the initiative, its challenges, and model case examples.

• What Is a Community-Based Inclusive Society?
• What Barriers Make Mutual Support Difficult?
• A Look Ahead: What Can We Do to Make It a Reality?
• A Model in Action: The Kirari Yoshijima Network (Yamagata Prefecture)
• Making It “Your Own Issue”: You Are Part of the Solution

A "community-based inclusive society" isa society in which everyone in the community participates, connects with one another, and solves problems together.

A community-based inclusive society is defined as "a society in which local residents and diverse stakeholders participate, transcending the 'vertical divisions' of systems and sectors, and the relationships of 'supporters' and 'recipients,' and connecting people with people, and people with resources across generations and sectors, thereby creating a community where each resident's life, sense of purpose, and community are built together"^[1][2].

This philosophy is rooted in the problems of social isolation due to the weakening of community and family ties, and the existence of people who face life challenges that fall outside the scope of public systems, the so-called "gap between the system"^[3].

Based on the philosophy of leaving no one behind—the elderly, children, and people with disabilities—the aim is to create a society where everyone in the community participates, connects with each other, and solves problems, transcending the roles of "supporters" and "supported."

The “Community-Based Inclusive Society”

出所：厚生労働省 地域共生社会のポータルサイト

The term "community-based inclusive society" first appeared in national policy in 2016, when it was included in the "Plan for the Active Participation of All Citizens." Subsequently, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare established the "Our Own Matter, Whole-Whole Community-Based Inclusive Society Realization Headquarters," and the "Toward the Realization of a Community-Based Inclusive Society (Immediate Reform Process)" (2017) was formulated^[4]Currently, concrete initiatives are underway in various regions.

What Barriers Make Mutual Support Difficult?

What are the key challenges involved in implementing a community-based inclusive society at the local level?

Source: Created by the author

1．Administrative Silos

Due to the fragmented operation of systems for medical care, long-term care, welfare, and child-rearing, families dealing with multiple challenges often receive disjointed support. Increasingly complex issues like “double care” (simultaneous childcare and eldercare) and the “8050 problem” (elderly parents caring for socially withdrawn middle-aged children) highlight the need for cross-sector collaboration.

2．Shortage of Human Resources

As the number of people in need of support increases, there is often a shortage of people to provide that support. In rural areas in particular, volunteers and welfare providers are aging, making it difficult to pass the baton to the next generation . ^[1] Furthermore, financial constraints are also a challenge, and it is necessary to build an effective and efficient support system within limited resources . ^[5]

3．Weakening Community Ties

The erosion of family and neighborhood connections exacerbates isolation. The number of elderly people living alone continues to rise. Voices such as “I’m struggling, but I can’t tell anyone” or “There’s no one I can call for help” are heard even in mid-sized cities. While building everyday support networks is ideal, it remains a challenge.

Hints for the future
—how can we make them a reality?

Strengthening Comprehensive Support Systems

Source: Created by the author

According to the Ministry, there are four main pillars for realizing a community-based inclusive society ^{[4] [6]}。

• Enhancing problem-solving capacity at the community level
• Strengthening community-wide connections
• Bolstering comprehensive support systems rooted in the local area　
• Maximizing and reinforcing the roles of professional personnel

Based on this policy, the law was amended in 2020 and the "Multilayered Support System Development Project" was launched. This is a new system to provide seamless support to people facing various challenges, and it integrates consultation support, participation support (building connections), and community building support (creating a system where residents support each other)^[4]. It was fully launched in 2021 and is being introduced in municipalities all over the country.

Specific initiatives include the establishment of a comprehensive consultation desk where people can feel "it's okay to consult here first" about any problem, one-stop consultation without narrowing down the target of support, guiding people who tend to be isolated to community activities, providing packages such as employment support, financial management, and housing support, and building networks with local residents, NPOs, and businesses ^{[7] [8]}.

It is hoped that this project will promote the creation of a system that provides seamless, "holistic support" to individuals and households facing problems spanning multiple fields, and that it will foster mutual support among residents throughout the community^{[7] [8].}

Harnessing Digital Tools

Digital technology can also be a force in supporting a community-based society. In Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture, AI and 5G are being used as part of a smart city initiative to provide services such as shopping and transportation support and health management^[9]In Tagawa City, Fukuoka Prefecture, in collaboration with NTT, digital technology is being used to distribute local sports events and improve the convenience of transportation^[10]These technologies should also be a powerful supporter for areas that lack sufficient personnel to provide support.

Collaboration Is Key

It is necessary for not only the government, but also welfare corporations, businesses, community organizations, and residents to work together and take local issues as their own.

For example, the "Social Welfare Collaboration Promotion Corporation System," established by the 2020 amendment to the Social Welfare Act, is a new system that enables multiple welfare corporations to collaborate and provide efficient and comprehensive support to the diverse welfare needs of the community^[4]. In the Social Welfare Collaboration Promotion Corporation system, each corporation can maintain its independence while sharing personnel as a group, holding joint training sessions, jointly purchasing goods and using facilities, and jointly developing and providing welfare services. It also enables rapid coordination in the event of a disaster^[11]. Things that each corporation cannot do alone become easier to achieve through collaboration, and a sustainable system can be built for the entire community.

In addition, in order to encourage the participation of each resident, measures such as introducing a point system (receiving local currency in accordance with volunteer activities) and introducing participatory budgeting (residents directly proposing and voting on projects) can be considered.

A Model in Action: The Kirari Yoshijima Network (Yamagata Prefecture)

The most representative and noteworthy model example of a community-based inclusive society is the Kirari Yoshijima Network (established in 2007) in Kawanishi Town, Yamagata Prefecture . ^[12] This network is a very rare "all-resident participation" community organization in Japan, with all households in the district (approximately 750 households) as members. Based on a strong desire to "protect our own community ourselves" and "leave this community for the next generation," it carries out a variety of activities such as monitoring the elderly, snow removal, disaster prevention activities, shopping assistance, childcare support, sports promotion, and managing local events . ^{[12] [13]} The key points of the Kirari Yoshijima Network are that it is an all-resident participation type, building connections that go beyond the relationship of those who support and those who are supported; that residents act autonomously and independently rather than relying on the government; and that there is a deep-rooted awareness of connecting the community to the next generation, promoting sustainable community development . ^[13] The Kirari Yoshijima Network is an initiative that has been promoted by the residents even before the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare began its efforts toward a community-based inclusive society. Each resident has the mindset of being a “community manager,” and they help each other manage the community, making it a model of a community-based society . ^[12][13]

Let's make it our own
–you're one of the participants.

While it may be difficult to replicate the Kirari Yoshijima Network's efforts in every region, it is crucial that each individual recognizes themselves as a participant in creating a community-based inclusive society. A community-based inclusive society is not solely the domain of government and welfare professionals. There may be people around you who need a little support.

For example, helping an elderly person carry heavy bags at the supermarket, striking up a conversation with a neighbor, or participating in a local event, even just a little, can gradually change the way a community functions. It's

not just systems that matter; the involvement of each and every one of us living in the community is what determines the realization of a community-based inclusive society. Towards a society where no one is left behind and everyone can live authentically, each of us is required to take ownership of this issue. A

community-based inclusive society is an important concept in building a sustainable Japanese society. Currently, it seems to be limited to policies by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, but this initiative is not limited to welfare policies. It can also be said to be an effort to rebuild a society in which each of us can continue to live with peace of mind.

Going forward, it will be necessary to consider a community where people can coexist with their communities from various contexts and perspectives, including urban development, regional economies, and immigration issues.

References

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2. 2. 厚生労働省「地域共生社会とは」、地域共生社会のポータルサイト、https://www.mhlw.go.jp/kyouseisyakaiportal/（2025年3月26日閲覧）。
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6. 6. 全国社会福祉協議会（2018）「地域共生社会の実現に向けた地域福祉計画の策定・改定ガイドブック」https://www.shakyo.or.jp/tsuite/jigyo/research/20190405_book.pdf（2025年4月3日閲覧）。
7. 7. 厚生労働省（2024）「地域共生社会の実現に向けた重層的支援体制整備事業の実施について」https://www.cfa.go.jp/assets/contents/node/basic_page/field_ref_resources/0f4a703f-3401-41d8-a066-f6359f892b8d/148da68f/20240911_councils_jisou-kaigi_r06_29.pdf（2025年4月3日閲覧）。
8. 8. 三菱UFJリサーチ＆コンサルティング（2021）「重層的支援体制整備事業に 関わることになった人に向けたガイドブック」https://www.murc.jp/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/houkatsu_09_1-1.pdf（2025年4月11日閲覧）。
9. 9. MOVE NEXT UTSUNOMIYA HP、https://supersmartcity.u-movenext.net/detail/220726-ssc（2025年4月3日閲覧）。
10. 10. 福岡県田川市（2022年）「田川市、NTT ドコモ、NTT コミュニケーションズ デジタル技術の利活用による共生社会の実現に関する連携協定を締結」https://www.ntt.com/about-us/area-info/article/20220927_2.html （2025年4月3日閲覧）。
11. 11. 厚生労働省「地域共生社会の実現のための社会福祉法等の一部を改正する法律（令和２年法律第52号）の概要」、https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/000640392.pdf（2025年4月11日閲覧）。
12. 12. 「きらりよしじまの創造」、きらりよしじまネットワークHP、https://www.e-yoshijima.org/（2025年3月26日閲覧）
13. 13. 内閣府男女共同参画局（2011）「地域の活力と魅力を生み出す男女共同参画活動事例集」pp.12－13、https://www.gender.go.jp/research/kenkyu/chiiki_danjyo_kyoudou/pdf/chiiki_danjyo_kyoudou_02.pdf （2025年3月26日閲覧）。

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