Japan to Boost Aid to Major Cities for Decentralization

December 18, 2018

Tokyo--The Japanese government presented a proposal on Tuesday to revise its regional revitalization strategy, including strengthened support for major cities outside the Tokyo metropolitan area.

To correct the overconcentration of people and businesses in Tokyo, the government aims to create attractive footholds nationwide.

The proposal, presented at a meeting of the Headquarters for Overcoming Population Decline and Vitalizing Local Economy in Japan, will be adopted by the cabinet as early as Friday.

The program will chiefly cover prefectural capitals, ordinance-designated major cities and so-called core cities, which can serve as centers of regional economies, excluding those in Tokyo and the three neighboring prefectures of Saitama, Chiba and Kanagawa.

The government intends to set up a system in which ministries and agencies will make cross-sectoral efforts to address each of regional policy challenges, such as the revitalization of shopping streets and the development of an international business environment.

The government will provide support such as raising the upper limit on subsidies for regional revitalization projects.

Following the enactment of the revised immigration control law, aimed at allowing more foreigners to join Japan's workforce, the government will actively offer financial support to municipalities that accept more foreign workers. Using the subsidies, the government aims to encourage multicultural projects, including exchanges with local residents.

The proposal also include deregulation to make it easier for stores and welfare facilities to be established within suburban residential complexes, as well as a support program under which up to 3 million yen will be given to residents in and commuters to Tokyo's densely populated 23 wards after they move outside the Japanese capital. Jiji Press