Japanese Local Governments To Carry Out Investigation And Research Of International Cooperation Between Cities

With the development of globalization and the diversity of international stage,such non-state actors as local governments have become important actors which no one should ignore in international relations,and local governments are more and more engaged in international affairs in various ways.Municipal International Cooperation(MIC) among local governments is of non-replaceable significance,especially in external relations of local governments.Since 1990s,local governments of Japan have gradually shifted their focus from "international exchange" to "international cooperation".And in recent years,they are promoting MIC, thus forming a multilateral network.In regions like East Asia where international relations are complicated,bilateral or multilateral international cooperation between and among local governments will probably be a bridge to problem solving and a help to international relations.This thesis focuses on how local governments of Japan promote international cooperation,especially in East Asia.By taking Yokohama and CITYNET,the international cooperation organization,as an example,the thesis analyses the characteristics of Yokohama's international cooperation and the problems it encounters. Therefore,it provides experience and reference for Shanghai's international exchanges and cooperation and its participation in East Asian even global municipal international organizations.And also,it makes an analysis of and suggestions to the possibility and difficulty of Shanghai's involvement in international cooperation and participation in municipal international cooperation network.