Understanding Japanese intergovernmental relations: perspectives, models and salient characteristics / Michio Muramatsu and Farrukh Iqbal -- Towards political inclusiveness: the changing role of local government / Terry MacDougall -- Partnership in controlled decentralization: local governments and the Ministry of Home Affairs / Kengo Akizuki -- Taxes and transfers in Japan's local finances / Nobuki Mochida -- Impersonal mechanisms and personal networks in the distribution of grants / Steven R. Reed -- Staff loans and transfers among central and local governments in Japan / Takenori Inoki -- Personal systems and policies of local governments / Hiroaki Inatsugu -- Municipal amalgamations / Masaru Mabuchi -- The agency-delegated function and its implications / Ikuo Kume -- Local policy initiatives / Toshiya Kitayama -- Local government development: some lessons from Japanese experience / Micio Muramatsu, Farrukh Iqbal, and Ikuo Kume.