# Outline of the Regional Powers Creation Plan (December 19, 2008)

## [Chapter 1] Promotion of the “Self-Sustaining Settlement Zone Initiative”

## ①Basic concept

A “central city” and its “surrounding cities, towns and villages” form a regional zone to meet settlement needs by utilizing their respective points of appeal such as the urban functions of the central city and the environment, history and culture of the surrounding cities, towns and villages.

## ②Procedures toward the formation of self-sustaining settlement zones

● Population with about 50,000 people or more (at least exceeding 40,000 people)

● Ratio of daytime population to nighttime population: 1.0 or more

Central city

② Agreement on the Formation of a Self-Sustaining Settlement Zone

Surrounding cities, towns and villages

These cities, towns and villages are located near the central city and closely linked to that city in terms of the economic, social, cultural and other aspects.

## 3 Vision for Coexistence within Self-Sustaining Settlement Zones

①The central city declares its will to play a central role in the management, etc., of the entire region, while also considering the opinions of the surrounding cities, towns and villages.

②On a face to face basis, the central city and its surrounding cities, towns and villages conclude an agreement on collaborative efforts from the viewpoints of “life functions,” “linkages and networks” and “zone management capabilities,” after a resolution made by the respective councils involved.

Examples: Medical care, welfare, regional public transportation, ICT infrastructure development, human resources development, etc.

③Formulation of the Vision for Coexistence within Self-Sustaining Settlement Zones, which stipulates the zone's future vision and concrete efforts that are to be promoted.

## [Chapter 2] Promotion of “Coexistence with Nature” through Regional Collaboration

## ①Basic concept

● Reinforcement of the linkage between urban and local areas by encouraging urban residents to become involved in hands-on activities related to the protection of the natural environment (conservation of forests and/or water sources) in local areas

Realization of one of the world’s leading low carbon societies by promoting national land conservation measures and global warming countermeasures in local autonomous entities

## Promotion of “Coexistence with Nature”

## ②Specific efforts

(1) Transfer of workers from urban areas to rural villages

(2) Agreements towards “Coexistence with Nature”

(3) Realization of a low carbon society by means of “Coexistence with Nature”

## [Chapter 3] Support for Self-sustainability and the Revitalization of Disadvantaged Regions

## ①Basic concept

☑ Depopulated regions have been supporting urban areas through disaster prevention, the sustenance of water sources, safe and secure food supplies, CO $ _{2} $ absorption by forests, and so on.

● Meanwhile, there are many problems, including depopulation, aging of the rural population, the lack of convenient transportation, a shortage of physicians, and villages that are hardly sustainable.

## There is a need to realize a Japanese type of society where disadvantaged regions and urban areas can coexist

## There is a need to ensure a safe and secure livelihood for the entire Japanese people, including urban residents

## ②Specific efforts

Support for self-sustainability and the revitalization of disadvantaged regions will be steadily promoted.

● Assurance of systems to provide regional medical care

● Promotion of remote medical care through model projects

● Resolution of the digital divide

● Measures to maintain and revitalize villages

Promotion of both migration from urban areas to local areas and exchanges between urban and local areas