The New National Land Sustainability Plan

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport National and Regional Planning Bureau National Planning Division

Facing declining population of our country, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport decided to drastically revise the former Comprehensive National Land Development Act and to replace the Comprehensive National Development Plans with the New National land Sustainability Plan, in order to ensure national and regional planning systems that will adequately meet the needs of the new era. Here we would like to report about the new national and regional planning systems and introduce our approaches to formulate the future National land Sustainability Plan.

1. Background of the past national and regional plans National and regional plans are long-term, comprehensive and spatial plans to show the ideal state of territory that is comprised of land, water, nature, social infrastructures, industry accumulation, culture, human resources and others. Starting from the 1st Comprehensive National Development Plan that was formulated in 1962, our national and regional planning after the WWII had been centered around the Comprehensive National Development Plan, based on the Comprehensive National Land Development Act (Figure 1).

1 Figure 1: Comparison of Comprehensive National Development Plans

Comprehensive National New Comprehensive 3rd Comprehensive 4th Comprehensive National Grand Design for the 21st Development Plan National Development National Development Plan Development Plan Century Plan Date of Approval by October 5, 1962 May 30, 1969 November 4, 1977 June 30, 1987 March 31, 1998 the Cabinet Prime Minister Hayato Ikeda Eisaku Sato Takeo Fukuda Yasuhiro Nakasone Ryutaro Hashimoto Background 1. Transition to high 1. High growth economy 1. Stable economic 1. Concentration of 1. Global age(Global growth economy 2. Concentration of growth population and various environmental 2. Overpopulation and population and industry 2. Signs of functions in Tokyo issues,megacompetiton,a disparity in income in metropolitan areas decentralization of 2. Employment issues in nd exchanges with Asian 3. National 3. Advancement of population and industry non-metropolitan areas are nations) income-doubling plan information technology, 3. It became obvious that more serious for reasons 2. Decreasing population (Pacific Belt Zone globalization, and national resources and such as drastic structural and the aging society Project) technical renovation energies are limited changes in industry 3. Information-oriented 3. Advancement of society full-scale globalization Target Achievement 1970 1985 about 10 years from 1977 around 2000 2010-2015 Year Basic Objectives Well-balanced Creation of a rich Improvement of the Formation of a multipolar Prepare the basics for a development between environment general living country multiaxial structure regions environment

Development Development of regional Large-scale project Stable settlement concept Interactive network concept Participation and Method hubs development Cooperation Promote development of Establish a multipolar pattern Decentralization of Promote large-scale non-metropolitan areas territory with the following – This plan conceives the industry is needed to projects by developing while controlling the initiatives: participation of diverse achieve the objectives of transportation networks, concentration of population (1) Promote a entities and cooperation this plan. Efforts must be such as the Shinkansen and industry in creative/innovative between regions as the made to develop regional (bullet train) and metropolitan areas. Make improvement of each area basis for national and hubs, by organically expressways, to mitigate efforts to achieve a of national territory by regional development.– relating them to and the uneven use of land and well-balanced use of the maximizing regional (Four Strategies) promoting interaction with solve problems such as national territory while characteristics 1. Build nature-rich the existing production overpopulation, responding to the issues of (2) Develop backbone residential areas (small mass in Tokyo and other depopulation, and regional overpopulation and transportation, cities, agricultural and metropolitan areas, with a disparities. depopulation, with the aim information, and fishing areas, hilly and new transportation and of creating a better living communication networks mountainous areas) communication network. environment for citizens. nationwide in accordance 2. Renovate metropolitan Such development shall be with the national program areas (renovation, performed by maintaining or initiatives led by the renewal, and effective the characteristics of the national government use of spheres in large peripheral areas and (3) Establish various cities) achieving a chain reaction interaction opportunities 3. Form regional that promotes regionally through a joint effort cooperation corridors balanced development. between the national (regional partnership government, each regions, taking the form of axis) and private institutions. 4. Form international spheres of interaction on a large scale (which has global interactive functions)

The Comprehensive National Development Plan, which was established five times in the past, has been formulated and promoted to solve various problems reflecting the needs of each era. As more than half a century has passed since the end of WWII, decentralization of plants and educational institutions (Figure 2) and growth of province and prefecture center cities has been promoted all over Japan. From a long-term perspective starting from the end of WWII until today, the trend of acute population flow to the metropolitan area has been converging (Figure 3), and income gaps between

2 regions have been also significantly reduced. When looking at each region, living environment has been also greatly improving, such as signs of pollution prevention and congestion reduction seen in metropolitan areas, and the pervasion and improvement of public facilities and infrastructures achieved in non-metropolitan areas. With these progresses, Japanese people are now able to pay attention to the beauty of national land, establishment of unique local cultures, and coexistence with nature. However, the unipolar structure concentrated in Tokyo and the Pacific Belt Region is not yet to be entirely redressed. There are still many provincial areas troubled by depopulation problems, and fright from the central urban districts is becoming a serious problem in local cities. In metropolitan areas, issues such as rearranging overcongested urban districts are left to be problematic, in terms of disaster prevention and living environment. Furthermore, the landscape is now quite disordered due to the sprawl in suburbs, and the land use that is lacking harmony with its surroundings in rural areas. Land and water contamination and dumping of illegal wastes are also becoming social problems.

Figure 2: Trends in the Share of Industrial Shipment Value by Region

(Share of nationwide total, %)

70 Three metropolitan areas Non-metropolitan areas ６０．１

60 50.4% (non metropolitan areas)

50 49.6% 40 (Three metropolitan areas) ３９．９

30 1955 1975 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 (Year）

(Source) Prepared by the National and Regional Planning Bureau, Ministry of Land Infrastructure and Transport, according to “Census of Manufactures” by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Note) Three metropolitan areas: Tokyo area (Saitama Prefecture, Chiba Prefecture, Tokyo Metropolis and Kanagawa Prefecture) Kansai area (Kyoto Prefecture, Osaka Prefecture, Hyogo Prefecture and Nara Prefecture) Nagoya area (Gifu Prefecture, Aichi Prefecture and Mie Prefecture)

3 Figure 3: Convergence in the Trends of Population flow into (Number of net inflow. Unit: 10,000 people) 377,000 Metropolitan Areas people

Tokyo （2004） 211, 00 metropolitan people area Kansai 101,000 people （） metropolitan Tokyo area 8,000 people （Nagoya）

63,000 Nagoya -21,000 people people metropolitan （Kansai） area -88,000 people （Non-metropolitan）

-651,000 Non-metropolitan people areas

Peak of the net outflow from Non-metropolitan areas (1961)

(Year) Source: Prepared by the National and Regional Planning Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, based on “Annual report on the internal migration in Japan derived from the basic resident registers” by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. Note: Definition of each regions are as follows. Tokyo metropolitan area: Saitama Prefecture, Chiba Prefecture, Tokyo Metropolis, Kanagawa Prefecture Nagoya metropolitan area: Gifu Prefecture, Aichi Prefecture, Mie Prefecture Kansai metropolitan area: Kyoto Prefecture, Osaka Prefecture, Hyogo Prefecture, Nara Prefecture Three major metropolitan areas: Tokyo metropolitan area, Nagoya metropolitan area, and Kansai metropolitan area Non-metropolitan areas: Regions other than the three major metropolitan areas.

2. Reform of the national and regional planning system (1) Background of the reform With the population decrease that is started in 2005 (Figure 4) in the background, feelings of anxiety and uncertainty exist among the Japanese public. Also in terms of national land policy, pressing issues are emerging, such as population decrease mentioned above, expansion of areas where maintaining the local community is going difficult, rapid devastation of farmlands, and the expansion of forests that are not properly maintained. From an international perspective, the East Asian economic bloc is growing rapidly, so that close collaboration with East Asian countries is crucial for maintaining and developing our vigor in an economic society through the 21st century (Figure 6). In order to cope with these pressing domestic and international issues properly, national and regional plans, which are long-term, comprehensive and spatial plans, are required to clearly show the future vision of our territory and people’s lives.

Figure 4: Long-term Trends of Total Population in Japan

2006Peak年にピーク in 2004 127.83 million people Approximately12,774 one-fifth万人 are elderly (2000) 約５人に１人が高齢者people 126.93 (10,000 people) million 12,693 万人 20252025年 13,000 people 121.14 million people Approximately12,114 万人one-fourth are elderly people 12,000

11,000 20502050年 End of 100.59 million people World Approximately10,059 one-third万人 are 10,000 War II 約３人に１人が高齢者elderly people

9,000 (1945) 71.99 Nationwide million (high全国 projection scenario) 8,000 people (高位推計 ) 81.768,176 million 万人 people 7,000 Meiji Kyoho享 Restoration Nationwide 保 (average全国 projection scenario) 6,000 Reform (中位推計 ) Beginning鎌江 (1868) 室改 64.14 million people 倉of Beginning戸革 33.3 6,414 万人 5,000 Kamakura Beginning町 of Edo million 幕 of 幕 (1716-45) Approximately one-third are Shogunate 幕 Shogunate people 約３人に１人が高齢者elderly people 府 Muromachi 府 31.28 million 4,000 Shogunate府 people Nationwide全国成成 3,128万人 (low projection scenario) 成 (低位推計 ) (1603)立立 4,645 万人 3,000 (1338)立 12.27 46.45 million people (1192) 8.18 million 7.57 2,000 million people （1192million年）（1338 people people757 万人 818 万人 1,000 (Year) 0 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1650 1700 1750 1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 2050 2100（年） Source: Prepared by the National and Regional Planning Bureau, Ministry of Land Infrastructure and Transport, according to “National Census of Japan,” “Annual Report on Current Population Estimates” by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, “Overview of Future Trends in Population in Japan” (conducted January 2002) by the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research, and “Long-term Time Series Analysis on Changes in Population Distribution throughout the Japanese Archipelago” by the National Land Agency (1974).

Figure 5: Change in Areas of Devastated Farmlands and State of Thinning Implemented by Household Engaged in Forestry

[Change in Areas of [State of Thinning Implemented by Households Engaged in Devastated Farmlands] Forestry by the Size of Mountain Forest Owned]

（thousand ha）Ｔｈｉｎｎｉｎｇ iｍｐｌｅｍｅｎｔｅｄ Thinning not implemented 400 343 350 Ｔｏｔａｌ 38 62 300 217 244 133 250 0.1-20ha 38 62 83 200 66 150 20-100ha 65 35 100 210 151 162 50 100ha or more 76 24 0 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 1990 1995 2000 Farm Nonagricultural landowners (Source) “Questionnaire on Forestry Activity by Owners of Mountain Note) Total figures do not necessarily agree because the Forest” by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan figures are rounded. (November 1997) (Source) Prepared by the National and Regional Planning Note)The graph composes the households engaged in forestry that implement Bureau, Ministry of Land Infrastructure and thinning, and households that did not implement thinning for the past 5 Transport, according to the “Agricultural and years although it owns mountain forests subject to thinning. Forestry Census.”

Figure 6: Shares of Each Country in the World Economy

(1) Shares of Each Country in the World’s Nominal GDP in 2004 (2) Shares of Each Country in the World’s Nominal GDP in 2030 Brazil Russia Brazil Russia India 2.1% 1.9% India 2% 3% 2.1% 2% South Korea South Korea 2.3% 2% China 5.5% U.S. Japan U.S. 32% 15.6% 39.2% China 31%

Euro Zone (12 countries) Euro Zone (12 countries) 31.3% Japan 18% 9%

Notes) 1. Figures for the world is the total of the above 8 countries/regions. 2. The 12 countries for the Euro Zone are countries introduced as Euro as of March 2003 (Ireland, Italy, Austria, Netherlands, Greece, Spain, Germany, Finland, France, Belgium, Portugal, Luxemburg). (Source) Prepared by the National and Regional Planning Bureau, Ministry of Land Infrastructure and Transport, according to “Japan’s 21st Century Vision” by the Cabinet Office

However, the Comprehensive National Land Development Act, the law governing the Comprehensive National Development Plan that sets the grounds for Japan’s national land policy, was orientated to quantitative development, with the social and economic background in 1950 when the Act was formulated. Therefore, a drastic review of the planning system has been required to cope efficiently with the decentralization, and domestic and international collaboration, to facilitate qualitative development of our territory, and to show the vision of our territory that is adequate for a mature society oriented to attain safety, complacency and stability in people’s lives.

(2) The road to the reform As for the reform of the national planning system, the goal specified in the 5th Comprehensive National Development Plan, the “Grand Design for the 21st Century” (adopted by the Cabinet meeting in March 1998), was to establish a national and regional planning system to meet requirements such as clarifying the philosophy of the national and regional planning, reacting to reforms such as decentralization, and enhancing the function as a guideline. Reviewing the Comprehensive National Development Plans and National Land Use Plan were also specified in the “2nd Decentralization Promotion Plan” (adopted by the Cabinet meeting in March 1999). 6 In this context, investigations and discussions were carried out in the National Land Council, and the “National and Regional Planning in the 21st Century,” was reported by the Policy Section of the National Land Council and the Planning Section of the Land Policy Council in November 1999, and the “Future Vision of National Land and the New National and Regional Planning System,” was reported by the Basic Policy Section of the National Land Council in November 2002. Furthermore, in the “Structural Reform and Medium-Term Economic and Fiscal Perspectives” adopted by the Cabinet meeting in January 2002, it was decided that the Comprehensive National Development Plan should be fundamentally reviewed. In June 2003, the Investigation Reform Section was established in the National Land Council. The Section examined the “reform of the national and regional planning system” and “Comprehensive Examination of National Land,” that was to review the current state and issues of national land, and to show the basic direction of national land policy from a long-term perspective. “Comprehensive Examination of National Land,” was reported by the Investigation Reform Section of the National Land Council, showing the current state and issues of national land, and the basic direction of the national land policy in the future. The report proposed that national and regional planning be reformed drastically, based on the new trends that caused turnaround in national land policies, such as “decreasing and aging population,” “interregional competition beyond national borders,” “elicitation of environmental issues,” “budgetary restraint” and “limitations of dependency on the central government”. Based on the past discussions in the National Land Council, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport attempted to establish the national and regional planning system that responds appropriately to requirements of the new era, including the decrease of population. In order to achieve this, it introduced the “Bill for partial amendments to the Comprehensive National Land Development Act and other laws in order to promote sustainable development of the national land” to the 162nd Diet session following the Cabinet approval on March 1, 2005. This amendment bill suggested the fundamental revision from the Comprehensive National Land Development Act to the National Land Sustainability Plan Act, by revising the previous Comprehensive National Development Plans into the “National Land Sustainability Plan”, by increasing the items to be planned, by introducing proposal systems from prefecture governments, and by establishing the Regional Plans. Following active discussions in the diet, the Bill was passed on July 22, 2005, declared on July 29, 2005, and enforced on December 22, 2005.

(3) Points of the reform Points of the “Act for partial amendments to the Comprehensive National Land Development Act and other laws in order to promote sustainable development of the national land” are as follows: 7 (i) In order to focus more on the qualitative development than the quantitative development of national land, that used to be the base of the existing national and regional plans, the national and regional plans were reformed so that it will comprehensively promote measures concerning the utilization, improvement and conservation of national land by reviewing what should be planned; (ii) In order to encourage the participation of various stakeholders in the planning process, proposal system from local governments and system to reflect on public opinions were introduced; (iii) In order to respect the autonomy of regions and realize the partnership between the central government and local governments, in addition to the National Plan, the Regional Plans were also introduced. The plans are planned in each block by mutual collaboration and cooperation of central and prefecture governments, under appropriate divisions of each roles; and (iv) In order to make the national and regional planning system understood easily by the public, it streamlined and consolidated the national and regional planning system.

Figure 7: Points to “Reform of the national land planning system” Act for partial amendments to the Comprehensive National Land Development Act and other laws in order to promote sustainable development of the national land *promulgated on July 29, 2005 (enforced in Dec.22,2005) Creation of a vision by cooperation between the national Shift from emphasis on quantitative government and local governments development

Increase and The government clarifies alteration of what the national land and planned issues National people’s lives should be plan (clarification of the national government’s responsibility) Qualitative improvement of Use and national land, conservation including scenery of limited and the environment resources Each block formulate plans Use of Wide-area by the cooperation between Utilizing stock Regional central government and oceans and prefectural government under international plan the proper role of division cooperation Development Plan In order to promote the formulation and implementation, of Quantitative Ensuring not only convenience Comprehensive NationalComprehensive the plan, an organization is formed in which Regional but also safety, security and Bureaus of the government, relevant prefectures, relevant “development” trend stability in people’s lives National Land SustainabilityNational Land Plan government ordinance designated cities, and local economic type plan society Matured communities talk about issues on an equal footing Formation of national land that makes it possible for local communities to develop independently Participation of a variety of bodies in the plan • System for proposing plans from local governments to the government ・National Plan only • Mechanism to incorporate people’s opinions into the plan ・The central governments took the initiative in plan- * In addition, effort is made to re-construct national land plans that are understandable for the people by making the land plan making structure simple and integrated. Specifically, this includes integrated formulation of the plan and the National Land Use Plan, rationalization of plans concerning the development of metropolitan areas, abolishment of local development promotion plans, ・There was no and other measures. mechanism to incorporate local communities’ opinions into the plan

(4) Outline of the national and regional planning system (i) Titles of laws and names of plans ・Titles of laws: “Comprehensive National Land Development Act” Æ “National Land Sustainability Plan Act” ・Names of plans: “Comprehensive National Development Plans” Æ “National Land Sustainability Plan” ・The National Land Sustainability Plan is comprised of the “National Plan” and the “Wide-area Regional Plan.” * The Comprehensive Prefecture Development Plans, the Comprehensive Regional Development Plans、the Specified Areas Comprehensive Development Plans were abolished. (ii) Definition of the National Land Sustainability Plan (Segments changed to the Comprehensive National Development Plans are underlined) The “National Land Sustainability Plan” is a comprehensive and fundamental plan to promote utilization, improvement and conservation of national land (hereinafter referred to as the “national land formation”). The plan is about the items listed below. a) Utilization and conservation of national land resources such as land, water and others; b) Utilization and conservation of coastal areas (including items concerning exclusive economic zones and continental shelf); c) Prevention and alleviation of disasters such as earthquakes, floods, windstorms and others; d) Arrangements and improvements of the size and location of urban/rural areas; e) Appropriate location of industries; f) Utilization, improvement and conservation of transportation facilities, information and telecommunication facilities, research facilities concerning science and technologies and other important public facilities; g) Protection of resources and utilization and improvement of facilities, regarding culture, welfare and tourism; and h) Conservation of environments including the creation of a sound environment, and the formation of sound landscape. (iii) The fundamental principle of the National Land Sustainability Plan ・Appropriately coping with changes in social economic structure including changes in population and industry, and attempting to realize the national land that will be the basis for: a) regional communities that develop autonomously according to their uniqueness; b) vibrant economic society through the enhancement of international competitiveness and 9 promotion of science and technology; c) people’s lives that their safety is assured; and d) productive environment that also contributes to conserving global environment. - set appropriate measures regarding national land formation that maintains and improves conditions for our land, while taking domestic and international collaboration into consideration. - While respecting independent approaches by local authorities, fulfill obligations as central government based on the inherent roles, including implementation of measures that must be carried out on a nationwide scale or from a nationwide perspective. ④National Plan a) Contents of the plan ・As a guideline for measures concerning comprehensive formation of national land, it stipulates (i) basic policy; (ii) objectives; and (iii) basic measures that are necessary from a nationwide perspective. ・It should be in accordance with fundamental plans of the central government on environment conservation. b) Planning process ・The Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport should take necessary measures to reflect on opinions from the public, discuss with the head of administrative bodies involved, listen to opinions from prefectures and government-designated cities, through investigations and discussions in the National Land Council, prepare draft for the plan and obtain cabinet approval. ・Prepare the plan and the National Plan of the National Use Plan in an integrated way. ⑤ Policy Evaluation regarding the National Plan ・When a certain period passes from the establishment of the National Plan, policy evaluation (policy review) should be implemented based on policy evaluation law. ⑥ Proposal for the National Plan ・Prefectures and designated cities may submit proposal for the draft of the National Plan or the change, to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. The proposal should attach the preliminary draft. ・When the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport decides not to prepare the draft according to the proposal, the Minister should notify the fact and reasons thereof to the said prefecture or designated city, after hearing the National Land Council’s opinions. ⑦ Area for Wide-area Regional Plan ・Set the Wide-area Regional Plan for areas stipulated by the government ordinance as areas 10 requiring promotion of comprehensive formation of national land as a whole (Areas for Wide-area Regional Plan), which are comprised of two or more prefectures, such as the National Capital Region, the Kinki Region and the Chubu Region. ⑧ Wide-area Regional Plan a) Contents of the plan ・Regarding national land formation in the Wide-area Regional Plan, it stipulates (i) policy, (ii) objectives and (iii) basic measures that are necessary from a wide area perspective (including those that go beyond the area, if considered necessary). b) Planning process ・The Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will take necessary measures to reflect on public opinions, and after discussions in the Wide Area Regional Planning Council, will consult with the head of administrative bodies involved to prepare draft for the plan. ⑨Wide Area Regional Planning Council ・In order to discuss the Wide-area Regional Plan and its implementation, council comprising of local offices of central government, prefectures and designated cities involved should be established in each area. ・Municipalities within the area, local authorities adjacent to the area and other entities having a close relationship may be included in the council. ⑩ Proposal for the Wide-area Regional Plan ・ Municipalities may submit proposal for the draft of Wide-area Regional Plan or the change to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport via prefecture government. The proposal should attach the preliminary draft. ・When the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport decides not to prepare the draft according to the proposal, the Minister should notify the fact and reasons thereof to the said prefecture or designated city, after hearing the National Land Council’s opinions.

11 Figure 8: The New Framework of the New National Land Sustainability Plan

National Plan Areas designated by Wide-area government ordinance ,comprising of two Regional Plan Guideline of measures on comprehensive or more prefectures formation of national land National land Sustainability plan for Regions in the (Inter-ministry plan) Wide-area Regional Plan area

[Contents of the plan] [Contents of the plan] ・Basic policy on national land sustainability ・Policy on national land formation in the said region ・Goal of national land sustainbility ・Goal of national land formation in the said region ・Basic measures considered as necessary from a ・Major measures considered necessary from a nationwide perspective (Names of individual regional perspective (including names of individual projects are not generally stated) as Used a basis projects)

Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Local offices in the Prefectures Transport prepares the draft central government involved Hearing opinions from Wide Area Regional Planning Council prefectures and Investigation and Discuss on an equal footing discussion by the government-designated Designated cities Local business National Land cities involved communities, etc. Council Public comments Hearing opinions from Public academic experts comments

Decided by the Minister of Land, Cabinet approval Infrastructure and Transport

Proposals for the plan and the change from Proposals for the plan and the change from prefectures and government-designated cities municipalities (via prefectures)

⑪ Amendment of metropolitan region development acts and abolishment of district development acts ・Implementation programs for the National Capital Region, the Kinki Region and the Chubu Region are abolished so that the National Capital Region Development Plan, the Kinki Region Development Plan and the Chubu Region Development Plan will be the comprehensive one. ・The three regions’ Development Plans should be in accordance with the National Land Sustainability Plan. ・The Tohoku District Development Plan, the Kyushu District Development Plan, the Shikoku District Development Plan, the Hokuriku District Development Plan and the Chugoku District Development Plan are abolished.

Figure 9: Reorganization of the National Land Planning System

Old national land plans New national land plans

* Basis of the other National Land Use Plan national government’s National Land Use Plan (national plan) plans, concerning the use (national plan) of the national land Comprehensive National National Land Sustainability Plan planning Integrated

Nationwide Development Plan (national plan) the plan Based on Based on the plan Basic development plan Integration of the Development Plan plans Development plan (5 years) accordance

region relationship Capital the plan National Based on

Implementation Program (every fiscal year) (abolish) Implementation Program Basic development plan Amendments Basic Development Plan ） to laws accordance Kinki region region Implementation Program (every fiscal year) Implementation Program (abolish) relationship

Basic developmentnt plan Basic Development Plan

accordance

region Implementation Program (every fiscal year) Chubu Chubu Implementation Program relationship (abolish) regional plans

Tohoku District Development Promotion Plan (abolish) Hokuriku District Development Promotion Plan (abolish) Wide-area

Chugoku District Development Promotion Plan (abolish) Plan Sustainability Land National （ Shikoku District Development Absorbed into the new Promotion Plan (abolish) system Kyushu District Development Non metropolitan regions metropolitan Non Promotion Plan (abolish) * With regard to the plans based on the National Capital Region Development Act, the Kinki Region Development Act, the Chubu Region Development Act, efforts are made to let them survive as systems but simplify the plans, since response to congestion problems in metropolitan areas is still a major issue considering the vulnerability of congested urban areas to great earthquakes.

3. Setting the National Land Sustainability Plan (1) Setting the National Plan As for the National Plan, the Planning Section was established in the National Land Council in September 2005, to discuss the issue in full scale. In October 2005, Expert Committees were established within the Planning Section to further discuss the five main planning issues, that research from a professional standpoint was especially necessary (lifestyle/living, industry prospect/East Asia collaboration, independent regional communities, national land foundation, and sustainable land management). In the future, the Planning Section will prepare an interim report around autumn of 2006, and it is expected that the National Plan will be adopted in the Cabinet meeting by around midyear 2007. Based on the reform of the planning system, in the planning process, the government intends to exchange opinions with various entities including local authorities and economic organizations, in order to encourage participation of various stakeholders in the national and regional planning.

Figure 10: Investigation and Discussion System in the National Land Council

Investigations and discussions on the National Land Council Planning Section preparation of drafts for the National Plan

Lifestyle/Living Expert Committee Problems concerning lifestyles, living spheres and cities as a place of living, expected based on various values

Industry prospect/East Asia CollaborationExpert Committee

International competitiveness of Japan and collaboration with East Asian cities Research from a Professional standpoint is Independent Regional Communities Expert Committee implemented in five Mechanism to continuously provide various social services in fields that are considered the decreasing population, and invigoration of local to be the major issues of community through independent approaches in regions. the plan National infrastructure Expert Committee Improvement of national land foundation coping with economy globalization and contributing in ensuring safety, complacency and stability in people ’s lives Sustainable Land Management Expert Committee Sustainable land management in order to appropriately use national land, which is the basis for people ’s lives, and hand it over to the next generation in better condition Investigations and discussions on the ideal way of dividing regional blocks in which uniformed Regional Section promotion of comprehensive formation of national land is necessary

(2) Setting the Wide-area Regional Plan As for the Wide-area Regional Plan, because it is necessary to set Regions for the Wide-area Regional Plan before developing the Plan itself, the Regional Section was established in the National Land Council in September 2005. It started discussions on how regional blocs should be divided. It is scheduled to decide areas for the Wide-area Regional Plan by mid-2006. After areas for the Wide-area Regional Plan are set, preparations will be carried out to develop the Wide-area Regional Plan, and it is expected that the Wide-area Regional Plan will be established by about a year after the National Plan is established.

14 4. Summary While there are feelings of anxiety and uncertainty of the future among the Japanese public, the government wishes to present solutions to various issues, in terms of national land policy and show the future of national land where people can live at ease and the ideal vision for a productive and affluent life, through the National Land Sustainability Plan. In the planning process of these plans in the future, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport intends to evoke wide interests among the public to encourage participation by various stakeholders in the national and regional planning. To depict an ideal future vision for national land and regions, active approach by each entity is expected.