A Comparative Study of Regulations and the Constitutional Protection of Local Autonomy

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K20084
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0105:Law and related fields
• Research Institution: Seijo University (2022); Kyoto University (2021)
• Principal Investigator: Koji Kawabata 成城大学, 法学部, 専任講師 (60910841)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-08-30 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 地方自治 / 条例 / ドイツ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, I researched how the constitutional protection of local autonomy, which I divided into two elements: (1) the meaning and content of "Selbstverwaltung," and (2) the methods of guaranteeing local autonomy, relates to the power to enact regulations. I examined "Selbstverwaltung" as "participation" in decision-making by residents of local public entities, and then reconstructed the guarantee of autonomy as an obligation of legislative balancing. In the discussion of regulations, I also considered the possibility of expanding the local power by enacting and interpreting national laws in the direction of expanding the local power to enact regulations. I have shown that this approach could also be referenced in Japan.

Free Research Field

公法学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では憲法における地方自治の保障を①「自治」の意味内容、②自治権の保障方法の二つの要素に分けたが、①「自治」の意味内容については、日本・ドイツの「自治」概念の変遷の調査・検討を中心とし、自治の中で条例制定権がどのように位置づけられていたかについて示した。また、②自治権の保障方法としては、立法者の衡量義務として自治権をとらえ直す見解が近年のドイツやスイスでも見られたことから、日本においても同様に自治権を衡量義務として再構成する可能性もありうる点を検討した。