The emergence of local non-profit – government partnerships and the role of intermediary organizations in Japan

Abstract

This contribution explores the implications of the current emergence in Japan of local partnerships between non-profits 1 and local governments and the role of intermediary organizations. In particular, it focuses on the impact of contractual relationships on the organizational changes of the non-profits and examines some cases of local intermediary organizations from the perspective of co-governance. This work identifies Japanese situations; lessons for other countries concerning relationships between non-profits and government; and three key issues for intermediary organizations that play a distinct role in the co-governance model of partnership. The issues are: (1) developing a mixed resource strategy; (2) establishing representative and networking structures; (3) strengthening political functions such as advocacy and the mobilization of collective influence on government policy.

Key words:

• Co-governance
• contractual relationship
• intermediary organizations
• inter-organizational network
• partnership
• social capital

Notes

1 In Japan, we generally use ‘non-profits’ as a broader concept including organized non-profit organizations and more community-based voluntary organizations.

2 http://www.jnpoc.ne.jp/support/index.html.