In many countries in Asia and elsewhere, the promotion of decentralization and the rise of local governance have become major topics for discussion. It was in this context that in 2005, the Project on Comparative Studies in Local Governance began. From the following year of 2006, in order to promote research activities of this project, the Institute for Comparative Studies in Local Governance (COSLOG) was established within the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS). With the aim of contributing to the development of local governance mainly in the countries of Asia, COSLOG conducts research on comparative local governance, and at the same time, disseminates information on research results and promotes formation of human networks in such forms as research exchanges.

　COSLOG takes a proactive approach to further comparative research on the system and operation of local governance focusing primarily on Japan and other Asian countries. The similar approach is used for promoting exchange of information for research activities. The aim is to reach a higher level of research findings on local governance systems.
　 In addition, COSLOG disseminates information on recent trends in the local government system in Japan, and on the historical development of local governance since the Meiji era, and conducts research and study programs for overseas specialists in local governance.

　Using research results on Japanese local governance systems and their operation, COSLOG compiles documents in foreign languages (Project to Disseminate Information in English), and conducts “research / surveys (symposia)” with the aim of promoting comparative research on local governance focused on Japan and Asia as well as that of promoting research exchanges. In addition, targeted at regional and provincial governors and vice-governors from overseas, COSLOG, as well as arranging research and study programs concerned with Japanese local governance, also assembles documents concerned with local governance within Japan and overseas, and offers a loan service through the Institute library.
For specific content details, click here.