1.
regional revitalization; community development; local revitalization
Efforts to revive or develop declining rural or local communities through economic, cultural, or social initiatives. A major policy topic in Japan due to rural depopulation.
地域おこしに取り組む。
To work on regional revitalization.
地域おこし協力隊として移住した。
I moved there as a member of the regional revitalization cooperation corps.
特産品を活かした地域おこしが全国で広がっている。
Regional revitalization efforts that leverage local specialty products are spreading nationwide.
Composed of 地域 (region, area) + おこし (raising up, reviving — from 起こす). A key concept in contemporary Japanese society, where many rural areas face severe population decline (過疎化).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 地域おこしに取り組む: to work on regional revitalization
- 地域おこし協力隊: regional revitalization cooperation corps (a government program)
- 地域おこしイベント: community revitalization event
CULTURAL NOTE:
The 地域おこし協力隊 is a Japanese government program established in 2009 that sends urban residents to rural areas for 1-3 years to help with local development. Participants often engage in tourism promotion, agriculture, and community building.
RELATED TERMS:
- 町おこし: town revitalization — same concept at the town level
- 村おこし: village revitalization — same concept at the village level
- 地方創生: regional revitalization — the formal government policy term