MachinoekiTo Revitalize Local Cities in Japan

Walk 21- Vienna

2015.10.21

Keiko Yoshida

Tochigi Prefectural Government

Hirotaka Koike

City Life Studies, Utsunomiya Kyowa University

Serious Problems in Present Japan

• Declining community– Population decrease caused by low birthrate– Urban sprawl and downtown decline due to

excessive motorization

• Increasing aging people– 27% of population is over 65 years old– 10 Million people are over 80 years old– Unable to go out for shopping and other activities

who can not drive anymore

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Solutions National government vs Local Community

• National Government– Regional Revitalization Strategy– Increase birth rate– Job creation in local areas

• Local Community– Community revitalization in city center by

walking people

=> The answer : Machinoeki3

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Transport History in Japan• Before mid 19c – Walking and horse riding

– Roadside stations

• Mid 19c ~ mid 20c – Railroad, streetcar and bus• Mid 20c ~ present – Motorization era

– Urban sprawl and decline of CBD

Ancient wood block picture of a roadside station

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Michi-no-eki (1991)Roadside Station

Michi = Road Eki = Station

World Bank

Kericho, Kenya

Eiji Tanaka Father of Michi- and Machi-no-Eki

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• Former Head of NPO Regional Exchange Center• He started both Michinoeki and Machinoeki

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Logo of Machinoeki

(A Chinese Character)

A person People

人 人人 人

Source: Regional Exchange Center, machinoeki.com

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Michi-no-eki (1991)

(Machi = Community Eki = Station)

For pedestrians and cyclists

(Michi = Road Eki = Station)

Machi-no-eki (2002)

For automobile travelers

Shift of Roadside Stations

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Four Functions of Machinoeki

• Resting Function (free toilets ） → Rest area in town

• Guidance Function (maps, guides ） → Information booth

• Exchange Function (gathering) 　　 → Meeting place

• Collaboration Function(networking) → with other stations

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How to make a Machinoeki

An Ordinary Shop can become Machinoeki…

④ Information and guide map

③ Guide with friendly smile

② Free Toilet and rest area ① Signage

• Anyone can make Machinoeki as long as one has a motivation• Various business categories, including shop, store, museum, hotel, school, city hall, shirine, temple, university…

Hotel Concere, Tochigi

Mikamo Fudou Temple, Tochigi

Utsunomiya Kyowa

University 11

Who can make Machinoeki

Machinoeki movement is expanding80 Eki (2000) → 　 1,600 Eki （ 2014 ）

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Number of Machinoeki

Effects of Machinoeki

• It can not increase your customers

• It can not increase your earnings

But

• It can increase the power of

Community Revitalization

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Three Case studies in Tochigi Tochigi prefecture has the largest number of

Machinoeki in Japan (192)

Kanuma City 　　

100

Sano City 　　　　

36

Tochigi City 21

Oyama City 13

Nasu Town 12

Utsunomiya City 10

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• Population = 166,000• Machinoeki = 13 (2006 ～ )

• Four railway lines cross here (including Super Express Train)• Old shopping street with aged residents• New residents increasing because the commuting distance to Tokyo

　

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Case Study 1 Oyama City

Case Study 1 Oyama City Keyword= Exchange

For elderly person buying grocery

etc.

Convenient area

For newcomer getting town

information and acquaintance etc.

Useful area

Social Exchange in Machinoeki　　　　　　 　　　　　　

The joyful and peaceful area for all residents

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Case Study ２　　 Kurodahara District (in Nasu Town)

• Population = 5,200• Machinoeki = 12 (2008～ )

• Station and Town Hall• Deserted Street• Population Decline

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Case Study 2 Kurodahara District　　

Keyword= Cooperation

Cooperation with other Machinoeki

Getting various acquaintance & knowledge

Activating region & encouraging Ekicho

Invited thespeakers

from Ishikawa Pref. to Tochigi

Inspired by thesmall festival in Iwate Pref. Held similar

festival in Tochigi

National Conference in 2015

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Case Study ３ Utsunomiya City• Population = 520,000• Machinoeki = 8 (2015)• Highest car ownership• Heavy traffic jam• Decline of city center• The first LRT in Japan soon

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Networked Compact City Plan

Case Study ３　 Utsunomiya City 　　

Keyword= Rest and Guidance

City center changes to more convenient and peaceful place

New LRT System

Various peopleelderly , youth, children…

Many MachinoekiProvide free restroom

Guide about town with smile

City center

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What do residents need to revitalize local cities?

Residents need

Love and pride for our region to resolve regional problems

by themselves.

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The power of Machinoeki Increase human interaction in town by walking, cycling and public transport

Resolving the region's problems

Enhance love and pride for town

Machinoeki can revitalize local cities in Japan !

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Thank you !!23