Twelfth Global Studies Conference

Abstract

Regional economic development has been discussed from the viewpoint of endogenous development, but in recent years, research on theoretical study of regional revitalization by utilizing the resources outside the region is increasing. However, little research has examined municipal industrial promotion policy overseas. We investigate the formulation and contents of the municipal international strategy by assessing the measures and procedures of creating regional innovations through international exchange. Ninety-eight Japanese municipalities were investigated to how these governments promote the international exchange programs for regional innovation. We found that the Japanese municipalities intend to promote international economic exchange to incorporate dynamic economic growth of Asian countries. In terms of the intergovernmental partnership, Japanese municipalities create international exchange projects in the high-technology and tourism fields which may result to the business opportunities in the future. Finally, we discuss the implications for the regional innovation process and the project management of the municipal international strategy. Given the rapid globalization in recent years, our findings can be utilized in the studies that examine the development of local to global relationship and international city network for creating regional innovation.