Pandemic and Change of Japanese Local Administration

This paper sets two questions. (a) What changes has the pandemic engendered? (b) How should the government connect these changes to efficient administration?. Three changes can be delineated. (a) The Special Law established a prefectural-centered management. (b) Substantial power was assigned to the governors. (c) The effectiveness of inter-prefectural cooperation is reflected. The governments face the challenges: (a) demand for strengthening public health administration, (b) difficult complex financial management, and (c) regional disparities. The governments are trying to overcome these challenges. This paper focuses on (a) the enrichment of medical welfare personnel and (b) living shift and local revitalization.