Faculty Introduction
ICHIKAWA, tatsuki Instructor
Specialized fields
Finance, Social Security
Subjects Taught
Special lectures on welfare state theory, welfare policy and local communities.
About Department of Policy Design
Japanese society today faces numerous challenges. Understanding and analyzing these difficult situations, and then considering solutions, is essential for society as a whole. While the term "policy" is often associated with government initiatives, it actually encompasses the process of identifying and resolving problems in various settings. Furthermore, with the recent progress of decentralization reforms, citizen participation in policy-making at the local level is increasingly required. As citizens, considering policies for the future of society and for solving its problems will become extremely important.
Introduction to specialized fields
This paper examines, using the long-term care insurance system as an example, what mechanisms are necessary for municipal welfare policies to meet the needs of their citizens. The long-term care insurance system is a relatively new system introduced in 2000, and it aims to be operated primarily by municipalities, based on a reflection on Japan's previously centralized administrative and financial system. However, in reality, problems such as soaring insurance premiums, regional disparities, and low wages for care workers make it difficult to meet the needs of citizens.
For many of you, long-term care might seem like something far in the future. You only actually start paying long-term care insurance premiums after you turn 40. However, for those who actually need care, and for those who pay the premiums, the long-term care insurance system is a crucial mechanism that significantly impacts their lives. Of course, it's important to consider issues close to home from our own perspective, but it's equally important to consider the difficulties faced by people in different situations.
Introduction to Exercises I and II
Theme: Considering the relationship between government and diverse local stakeholders
- What kind of activities is the local government undertaking?
- How does the government collaborate with local stakeholders to provide administrative services?
In this seminar, in order to consider collaboration between the government and citizens, we will examine the role of neighborhood associations in order to think about initiatives toward community development led by residents, through reading literature and collaborating with the Wakabayashi Ward Office.
Message to high school students
At university, you will be expected to utilize your specialized knowledge and think and act independently. In particular, Department of Policy Design allows you to learn diverse specialized knowledge not only in public administration and finance, but also in disaster countermeasures, NPOs, and multicultural coexistence. While utilizing this knowledge, I encourage you to take an interest in the various problems occurring in society and think about them in your own way. Depending on which specialized knowledge you use as a basis to view a problem, the way you see the problem and the way you solve it may differ, even for the same problem. You may be confused that there is no single answer, but I hope that you will understand these differences, develop the ability to think for yourself, and go on to play an active role in society.