Silviase/jgov_v1.4_full_ann huggingface dataset:
(2) Application status of supporting measures towards the urban revitalization project

1) Urban planning decisions of urban revitalization special districts

An “urban revitalization special district” prescribes highly independent new urban plans, excluding regulations based on existing land usage. As of the end of March 2010, the urban planning decisions of 49 districts were made, in which proposals for 33 districts were made from private sector corporations.

2) Approval of project plans on urban revitalization carried out by the private sector

For those project plans on urban revitalization carried out by the private sector approved by the Minister of MLIT (31 plans as of the end of January 2010), financial support from the private sector urban development promotion organizations and exceptional

measures can be received.

# Example case of the coastal area in Tokyo

Example Case of the Private Sector City Development Project approved by the Minister of MLIT The Ariake South Project commenced

(Tokyo Coastal Area)

This area aims at the establishment of a leading hub furnished with a wide variety of charms of work/housing/schooling/leisure that will serve as an international information originator.

The Ariake project workstowards establishing facilities to function as the center of international conventions and businesses and to serve as a landmark of the Ariake area, an international interchange point, in harmony with the lively townscape.

Furthermore, this area neighbors international facilities such as international exhibition halls, which is expected to give synergetic effects for the project to contribute to the city through the revitalization of the Tokyo coastal area including Ariake and the establishment of a leading hub that originates information, in sync with neighboring facilities.

(Commenced in March 2009)

Section 4 – Pushing Forward the Special District Promotional Measures

### 1. Measures for heavy snowfall areas

According to the “Act on Special Measures concerning Countermeasures for Heavy Snowfall Areas”, heavy snowfall areas and especially heavy snowfall areas are specified. Based on the Basic Plan on the measures for heavy snowfall areas, traffic assurance and the development of facilities related to living environment and national land conservation are being pushed forward. Furthermore, a special project on measures for heavy snowfall areas that utilize the characteristics of a snowy country and investigations for developing a safe and secure region are being carried out. As of April 2009, 542 municipalities had been identified as heavy snowfall areas (202 of which are especially heavy snowfall areas).
promoted.

## 4 ) Approaches towards the utilization of new biomass resources that suits Hokkaido

In the context of the high necessity of biomass resources that do not affect the food supply, it is becoming important to carry out efficient production of resource crops, $ ^{1} $ utilizing abandoned farmlands. Therefore, from FY 2008, in order to utilize the large-quantity of willows growing in Hokkaido as a new biomass resource, an investigation on efficient cultivation technologies and energy extraction (bio-ethanol) was carried out. In FY 2009, the most efficient method of ethanol extraction in an indoor-scale experiment facility was reviewed.

## 5 ) Promotion of social infrastructure development aimed at the achievement of strategic goals

For achieving the three strategic goals, social infrastructure development is being promoted effectively by cooperating with various entities. This includes core traffic network development (including high-standard highways), secure winter traffic and the development of national conservation facilities for frequent natural disasters.

### 2. Promotion of Regions and Cultures with Specialties

(1) Promotion of the adjacent regions of northern territories

In view of the special situation of the adjacent regions of northern territories, regional promotion measures are being implemented comprehensively based on the “Act on Special Measures concerning Advancement of Resolution of Northern Territories Issues, etc.”

In FY 2009, this act was amended with the requirement of relaxation regarding special support towards projects related to regional promotion and support expansion.

## (2) Promotion of Ainu culture

In response to the “resolution on the request to certify the Ainu as indigenous people” made by the House of Representatives and Councilors, the “Expert Meeting about the way of Ainu policy” held by the Cabinet Secretariat compiled a report in July 2009. Under these policies for the comprehensive promotion of the measures for the Ainu, in order to enforce the promotion of Ainu cultures and the dissemination and enlightenment of knowledge about Ainu tradition, the measures towards the revitalization of Ainu traditional living spaces (ioru) in the Shiraoi region and Biratori region and the preparation and distribution of supplementary readers for primary and secondary students as well as seminars were implemented.

Ainu folk dance: Ainu cultural festival 2009 (Tokyo)
(7) Effective utilization and functionality enhancement of existing expressway networks

1) Implementation of diversified and flexible charging measures

In order to work out logistic efficiency improvement and regional tourism promotion, as a project on the expressway convenience improvement, a discount (at least 30% off) on weekdays and a discount (50% off and the maximum fee is 1,000 yen) for normal vehicles during Saturday, Sunday and public holidays are being introduced.

From FY 2010, a social trial will be executed for gradually realizing free-of-charge expressways.

Overview of the fee reduction in the expressway convenience improvement plan

## 2 ) Promotion of smart interchange development

For reducing the travel time on expressways, and enhancing lives in regions and the invigoration of regional economies through convenience improvement as well as improving safety and security, the development of smart interchanges is being pushed forward.
## Chapter 5: Construction of a Competitive Economic Society

## Section 1 – Developing the Traffic Network

### 1. Developing arterial roads

Starting from the 1 $ ^{st} $ Road Development of a 5-year Plan formulated in 1954, arterial road development has been steadily continuing until now. For example, the arterial road development of expressways contributes greatly to regional economic invigoration by inspiring the construction of factories near expressway interchanges. In addition, it has been contributing greatly also to the living quality of citizens and security improvement by enabling access to regional medical services in local areas and ensuring regional detours in case there is a blockage of the expressway due to an accident, etc.

## Outlines and actual results of improvement and expansion of high-standard arterial and regional roads

Actual results
High-standard arterial roads	(Roads extended)
End of FY2008: 9,468 km
End of FY2009 (Projected): 9,711 km
(Roads to be extended during FY2009)
Chugoku Odan Jidosha Do (Chizu to Kawara)
(New, directly controlled methods)
High-standard regional roads	(Routes and zones designated as of April 2009)
Number of candidate routes: 110 Number of planned routes: 186
Planned routes designated to be extended: Around 6950 km
Zones under planned investigation: Around 1,067 km
Zones to be improved: 3,289 km
Roads to be extended: 1,915 km
(Roads to be extended during FY2009)
Kanaya Omaezaki Renraku Road (Kanaya Sagara Road)

The arterial road network, including high-standard expressways and high-standard regional roads, constitute a very important infrastructure for Japan, which extends far to the north and south and has connections between regions hindered by mountain ranges and straits separating the major islands. It is vital to build arterial road networks and to secure their functions for the development of a safe and secure nation.

Moreover, in foreign countries, for example, when comparing the average distance between two cities with populations of over 0.6 million, in Germany, which has the same land area as Japan, Japan’s figure is around two times of Germany’s, but the service extension of high-standard expressways is only around 3/4 of Germany’s. For China, even though it developed later than our country, has been developing for 26 years, and started the development of expressways in 1988, 53,913km of expressways overall have already been completed and development is still continuing at 41 times the rate of our country.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism STATISTICCHES JAHRBUCH

Japan	Germany
Population	(10000 person)	12,754	(2009Y)	8,200	(2009Y)
Area	(1000km2)	378	(2009Y)	357	(2008Y)
GDP	(1 trillion yen)	494	(2008FY)	379	(2008Y)
Service extension	(km)	9,468	(2009FY)	12,594	(2008Y)
Average distance between cities $ * $ 1	(km)	491	261

(Note) 1. Japan: End of the fiscal year

China, France, the U.S., and Germany: Data at the end of the year

2. An expressway extension in Japan is an extension of the national express-motorway.
2. Developing the Trunk Railway Network

(1) Development of Shinkansen railways

The Shinkansen serves as a fundamental high-speed transport facility that shortens travel time and has a significant effect on regional development as well as economic invigoration. The Shinkansen also has excellent features, which are secure (from the establishment of the Tokaido Shinkansen in 1964, the number of accidents causing the death of a passenger is 0) and environmentally-friendly (the $ CO_{2} $ emission basic unit (g- $ CO_{2} $ /person/km) of the railway is 1/6 that of an airplane and 1/9 that of a private car).

Regarding New Shinkansen Lines $ ^{1} $ , currently, five lines are under construction and progressing steadily. They are the Hokkaido Shinkansen (Route between Shin-Aomori and Shin-Hakodate), Tohoku Shinkansen (Route between Hachinohe and Shin-Aomori), Hokuriku Shinkansen (Route between Nagano and Hakusan rail yard), Kyushu Shinkansen - Kagoshima route (Route between Hakata and Shin-Yatsushiro) and Kyushu Shinkansen - Nagasaki route (Route between Takeo-Onsen and Isahaya) respectively.

Furthermore, in December 2009, “the Review Conference of New Shinkansen Lines” and “the Coordination Meeting of New Shinkansen Lines” were established and “the Basic Principle about the development of New Shinkansen Lines” was concluded. Going forward, further review will be carried out on specified items, including the start of construction of new sections and support for the parallel old lines.

Regarding the Chuo Shinkansen, one of the basic planned lines based on the Nationwide Shinkansen Railway Development Act, the research report on the transportation capacity, the development of the technologies for the facilities and train vehicles and the construction cost was submitted in December 2009 by the researchers, Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency and Central Japan Railway Company. Then, the Transport

Policy Council was consulted about the designation of the Operator and the Constructor and the decision of the Development Plan in February 2010, and it has been discussing since March of the same year.
### B. Re-expansion Project

Since FY 2004, the re-expansion project has been progressing. It is a plan that works on resolving the limitation of landing and takeoff capacity, forming a diversified route network and improving user convenience by increasing frequency, through building a new $ 4^{th} $ runway and strengthening the yearly landing and takeoff capacity. At the same time, the growth of both domestic and international demand has been taken into consideration and international regular flight services have been planned.

In this regard, full-scale construction of the runway development project has been started since March 2007. Additionally, the project on regional development for international airlines (Passenger Terminal Project, Freight Terminal Project, Freight Apron and related projects) is being pushed forward steadily by utilizing PFI execution, and the aim is for it to be in service by the end of October 2010.

## 2 ) Development of Narita International Airport

Narita International Airport has been performing an important role as the gateway of Japan since opening in 1978. However, its airport capacity has almost reached its limit even though the interim parallel runway has been in service since 2002. Also, it is unable to respond to requests for the entry of new airlines and an increase in service on existing routes from airlines. Under such circumstances, in September 2006, construction to extend the parallel runway to 2,500m was started after obtaining the understanding of regional authorities, etc and it has been in service since October 2009.

Aircraft movements and passengers in Narita International Airport

☐ The number of slots per year has increased from 135,000 times to 200,000 times (1.5 times more) because the interim parallel runway was opened in 2002.
2. Trends and measures of the land vehicle transportation business

(1) Land vehicle transportation business for passengers

## 1 ) Shuttle bus business

Due to urban structural changes such as the depopulation of central urban areas and the impact of motorization, such as the popularization of private cars, the passengers and revenues of shuttle buses keep decreasing because transportation demand for regional centers is decreasing. Moreover, as a result of the sluggish economy, the shuttle bus business is facing severe circumstances.

## 2 ) Charter bus business

Regarding the charter bus business, the regulation relaxation established in February 2000 inspired the implementation of cheap and diversified tours. While the enhancement of services for users is being worked out, competition is becoming intense due to the increase in the number of companies running the business. Additionally, transportation revenue is decreasing because of the reduction in group tourists and travel product prices. In addition to the jump in fuel cost, the charter bus business is facing severe conditions.

## 3 ) Taxi business

In the context of the continuous decrease in the long-term demand for taxis, there are regional problems such as the deterioration of the revenue base and working conditions because of the increase in the number of taxis and excessive taxi fares. Therefore, it is difficult for taxis to fully perform its function as a form of regional public transport. In order to cope with this problem, the ordinary Diet session approved the "Act on Special measures concerning the proper management and invigoration of the land vehicle transportation business for general passengers in special regions" in FY 2009. In the regions (designated by the Minister of MLIT) that are having problems in terms of the excessive supply of taxis, the revenue decrease for each taxi, illegal and unfair business operations and increases in accidents, the framework for pushing forward the proper management and invigoration of the land vehicle transportation business for general passengers in special regions.

management and invigoration of the taxi business was introduced by focusing on voluntary measures taken by the different related parties of the corresponding regions.
## (2) Vehicle relief driver business

It is expected that the vehicle relief driver business can be used as an alternative transport method for when vehicle owners consume alcohol. However, the problems, including the unclearness of the charging system and insufficient information of reliable business operators, were pointed out. Therefore, MLIT, in cooperation with the National Police Agency, has implemented measures incorporated in the “Application Environment Enhancement Program of Relief Driver Services”. Up to the end of December 2009, the total number of vehicle relief drivers who were approved for running the business was 8,324.

## (3) Land vehicle freight transportation business

The number of companies operating in the land vehicle freight transportation business and the transported quantity (ton per kilometer) have been increasing for a long time. However, in FY 2008, as there was a decrease in freight flow due to a jump in light oil prices and because of the sluggish economy, it dropped for the first time in 2 years, after the establishment of regulation relaxation. As measures for ensuring security and environmental control are being required, competition is becoming intense, with a foreseeable fare decline trend, and the business conditions of the operators is severe.

### 3. Trends and Measures of the Marine Industry

(1) Ensuring steady marine transportation

1) Securing Japan-flag ships and Japanese mariners

For our country, which is surrounded by sea and poor in natural resources, marine transportation, which shoulders 99.7% of trading volume and around 40% of domestic freight transportation, is the lifeline for supporting our country's economy as well as citizens' daily lives. Therefore, steady marine transportation is an exceedingly important issue for the development of our country.

However, Japanese-flag ships and Japanese mariners, as the core of Japan’s convoy of merchant ships for overseas transportation, are decreasing rapidly because of declining international competitiveness. Moreover, for domestic marine transportation, there is the fear that there will be a potential shortage of mariners due to the aging of mariners. These circumstances are drawing great concern for securing steady marine transportation.

In relation to such situations, based on the “Partial

Revision of the Marine Transportation Act and Mariners Act", there are 11 companies that receive the approval of the "Plan on maintaining Japanese ships and mariners" and they are approved for the tonnage tax scheme from FY 2009. The revised act stated the application of the so-called tonnage tax scheme $ ^{1} $ for overseas transportation business operators when they received the approval from the Minister of MLIT about the plan on Japanese ships and securing mariners as well as the supporting measures on the budget related to securing and training mariners.
2) Securing and training Mariners (people with seamanship)

For securing and training Japanese mariners for overseas transportation, support is provided through the tonnage standard tax

scheme. In addition, for domestic Japanese mariners, planned employment is being pushed forward through the supporting scheme for business operators who have received approval for plans to secure Japanese ships and mariners. Moreover, the measures for securing and training young people who shoulder the next-generation marine industry are being worked out through the promotion of securing and training professionals for “marine region development” in marine industry centered regions, the recognition of whom will contribute to promotion of an ocean-oriented country and to public relations activities for next-generation personnel training promotion meetings of the marine industry.

Furthermore, the existing employment conditions are still severe, so support is

## Transition in the number of Japanese mariners

being provided on sustaining mariner employment and re-employing former mariners by utilizing the employment adjustment subsidy scheme and the former mariner benefit scheme for occupational change.

In order to increase the occupational attractiveness of being a mariner, guidelines named the “Management System of Industrial Safety and Hygiene on the Ship” were drawn up in FY 2008 and popularization is being carried out. The guideline is for planning the gradual improvement of safety and hygiene standards and the on-going reduction of mariner disasters through carrying out continuous safety management and prescribing a series of procedures called the PDCA cycle for risk management related to ship disasters, by ship owners, on a voluntary basis.

Up to now, the course for graduates from non-mariner educational institutions to obtain a license for becoming a $ 6^{th} $ -grade seamanship specialist is only organized by the Marine Technical College. However, in order to widen the door for a career as a mariner, the necessary ordinance revision is being carried out and special training schools can also establish the same course.

## (2) Marine transportation industry

## 1 ) Overseas marine transportation

Due to the rapid growth of developing countries such as China and India, the global marine freight flow of FY 2008 increased throughout the world. It reached 77.45 billion tons overall (an increase of 4.3% when compared with that of the previous year) and a new maximum was recorded. The marine trading volume of our country was 9.7009 billion (an increase of 0.6% when compared with that of the previous year).

Due to the strong demand for iron ore, coal, etc. in the $ 1^{st} $ half of the year, the overseas marine transportation market became very active and led the increase in marine freight flow in Asia and the sharp rise of irregular shipment markets, etc. However, affected by the global recession caused by the American financial crisis in the latter part of September, the marine transportation market grew rapidly worse because of the decrease in demand for resources, from developing countries and sluggish freight flows.
### 8. Rejuvenating the Construction Industry

## (1) Current conditions of the construction industry

The construction industry is playing a role in shouldering regional economic society, including the development of infrastructure indispensable for citizens' lives and contingency planning for disasters. Furthermore, it is also one of Japan's key industries, accounting for 10% of gross domestic product and the total number of employees. However, facing the issue of a rapid decline in private construction investment and intensified price competition as well as the constraints of population decrease, the aging population with a low birth rate and the severe financial circumstances, new public affairs have had to be suspended. The circumstances of the construction industry are more severe than ever.

## (2) Securing a fair competition platform

In light of the rapid decrease in construction investment, only “enterprises with excellent technological ability, implementation and management power” can subsist. In order to realize competition for growth, it is important to secure a fair competition platform starting from the thorough observance of the law by construction business operators. Therefore, investigation into the actual conditions for bidding transactions and site visits have been carried out from the past and fair transactions between tendering and bidding parties in the construction industry are being worked out. Additionally, the “Center for Fair Construction Industry Transaction” was established in July 2009 and acts as a discussion platform for troubles and complaints regarding construction contracts. The measures for realizing further thorough observance of the law are also being pushed forward.