NODA Yu, Professor at the Faculty of Policy Studies, studied intergovernmental relations by analyzing municipalities’ data on the waste management service. This study demonstrated that vertical relationships are as meaningful as horizontal relationships, leading to a more efficient and integrated approach.
This result means that appropriate commitment from higher level governments can increase municipalities’ financial efficiency, especially when severe financial difficulties strike them.

Reference

Yu Noda, “Intermunicipal cooperation, integration forms, and vertical and horizontal effects in Japan”, Public Administration Review, October 25, 2022 (Online), DOI: 10.1111/puar.13569)

For more details, please see the link below.
Research News: Integrated Approach to Local Governments: A Study on Vertical Collaboration (Website of Doshisha University Organization for Research Initiatives and Development)

This achievement has also been featured in the “EurekAlert!”.
Integrated approach to local governments: a study on vertical collaboration (EurekAlert!)