On the possibility of constructing a new "public sphere" in local community

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In this research project, I analyze the case of Maki Town, which hosted the first referendum held in Japan on the proposal to construct a nuclear power facility. A majority voted against the proposal and the nuclear power facility project was abandoned as a result of that. After studying the narrative accounts of those who played a central role in organizing the referendum on the construction of a nuclear power facility, I clarify that through their activities they transform the "grammar" which has prescribed their social interaction even though traditional closed social relationship still remains, and conclude that an alternative type of civil society is being formed which lets new political culture and old one coexist. Furthermore in order to locate such a type of civil society in a wider context, this report tries to offer the comparative study of the political opportunity structure in Japan and South Korea and identify different patterns of political process as well as similarities between them by examining two cases (Maki Town in Japan and Buan in South Korea where the first referendum was held in Korea by its residents).