November 20 , 2006 

Artesia News

Japanese Councilmember Visits Artesia


Councilmember Toshio Ichikawa learns more about the city manager system of government

In light of “severe financial situations” in Japan, Toshio Ichikawa, a council member of Kyose, a suburb of Tokyo, Japan, visited briefly with Artesia's City Manager Maria Dadian and a council member on November 28.

Ichikawa's intention was to learn more about the city manager system in the United States. He said he has been interested in the system since he visited Decatur, Illinois when he was younger.

In the city manager system, the city's representatives (or council members) appoint a person to manage the city's day to day affairs, as well as assist in planning future events, and implementing the wishes of the council members. This central leader is acquainted with all aspects of governing a city, from enforcing city codes to planning, city maintenance and parks & recreation.

“Recently, Japan's cities, towns, and villages have underwent some financial setbacks and as a result Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has led government mergers to strengthen their financial infrastructures by achieving a sort of economic scale of merits,” said Ichikawa in a memo.

As a result of this merging, approximately 3,000 local governments in Japan have merged and consolidated down to approximately 1,800, said Ichikawa.

“I believe the city manager system will be a great tool,” said Ichikawa.

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