Regional management organizations help residents take lead in their communities

Regional management organizations, which help residents tackle local challenges, are expected to play a key role in community development amid a falling birth rate and a graying population. | REUTERS

Jiji

Oct 7, 2026

Regional management organizations (RMOs), which empower residents to take the lead in tackling local challenges, have become an increasingly common sight across Japan.

There were 8,587 such organizations nationwide in fiscal 2025, which began in April 2025, up 394 from the previous year.

RMOs are expected to play a key role in community development at a time when a falling birth rate and a graying population are leaving fewer people who can sustain local activities.

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