This study compares Korea’s Industrial Complex Environmental Improvement Fund and Japan’s Urban Regeneration Investment Support Project (Machi-Regeneration Equity Program) to identify governance factors influencing regeneration effectiveness. Appl...
This study compares Korea’s Industrial Complex Environmental Improvement Fund and Japan’s Urban Regeneration Investment Support Project (Machi-Regeneration Equity Program) to identify governance factors influencing regeneration effectiveness. Applying a Most Similar Systems Design (MSSD), the research controls for similar socio-economic challenges while analyzing differences through a three-dimensional framework: Structure, Mechanism, and Scope. Findings reveal that Korea’s multi-layered, government-led structure constrains timely decision-making and relies heavily on preferred equity, limiting its catalytic impact on private capital. In contrast, Japan’s MINTO organization, functioning as an independent third-sector institution, facilitates diversified financing and strategic risk-sharing. The study concludes that enhancing institutional autonomy, diversifying investment portfolios, and adopting performance-based management are critical for improving the effectiveness and sustainability of Korea’s public investment model.