정내회 조직

Abstract

As a way to study basic characteristics of Chonaikai, a Voluntary community-based organization in Japan, this chapter examines two Chonaikai units in Kawasaki Ku(區), Kawasaki city-Sakuramoto I chome chonaigai and Ohjima chonaikai- and the union of city chonaikai as well.

Writtern and field data are obtained from participation observation and interviews of personnel in charge, inhabitants" representatives, and city officials during February 6-12, 1993.

Major findings can be surmmarized so follows : First, it turned out that majority of inhabitants (85 percent), in Kawasaki Ku(區) for example, are the members of chonaikai organization, as of 1993. Chairpersons of Chonaigai are more likely to be either retired government officials of the self-employed men who are in their 50s or 60s. Most of them tend to have lived in their respective cho(町)s for more than so years.

Secondly, the annual budget of each Chonaikai amounts, to 3 or 4 million Yen. Membership fee of inhabitants covers nearly half of the total budget. Curren expenditure is spent on the maintenance of the Chonaikai such as building management, salary for its workers, inhabitants" activities(such as children"s meetings, programs for elder people and housewives), and cultural festivals. Finally, Chonaigais are organized in such a way as protecting disaster against of fire, earthquake, or flood and preserving traditions by holding unique cultural events of the community.

Other campaigns held under the auspice of Chonaikais are environment protection, traffic safety, and community health and hygiene.