EN
In the modern postindustrial world most countries are involved in globalization and regionalization processes. Therefore, regional development is becoming an important part of state policy. This paper studies the historical and geographical aspects of regional planning development in Japan in the post-war period. Special attention is drawn to the changes to the regional policy concept which have occurred in the last two decades: from the homogenous concept of developing all regions in the same way to the new multipolar trend, which emphasizes the most outstanding features and advantages of each particular region, its opportunities and strong points. The cases of two regions, Hokkaido and Tohoku, illustrate this policy and the relations between different levels of authorities and the main actors of regional policy implementation.