This study focuses on Tosa Town, a small city in Japan that is struggling to address the challenges posed by an aging population and digital transformation. Through a literature review and interviews with residents, it explores how local governance and data management impact the citizen-government interface and progress toward the SDGs. Key findings include the development of Tosa Town’s own “Citizen Participation Ladder Model,” which emphasizes a progressive participation framework that moves from receiving information to participating in decision-making, with tools specific to Tosa Town. Furthermore, integrating data management with this model can enhance citizen engagement in data collection, processing, and utilization, thereby improving policy alignment with community needs. This study highlights the critical role of the citizen-government interface and strategic data management in advancing the SDGs, offering insights for similar cities.

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