with the concept of “the new public sector,” is necessary.

1) Utilization of coordination expenses for the promotion of a national land plan

In order to urgently materialize the plans and policies proposed in the National Spatial Strategies and decided by Cabinet Meeting, five expeditious surveys were carried out in FY 2009 on the coordination expenses of national land/landscape projects, such as infrastructure development regarding the rapid popularization of electric automobiles. Also, in response to unexpected situations during the implementation of public projects and changes in project conditions, 37 expeditious budget measures by this coordination expense, to actualize project results by early completion and reduce costs by project adjustments.

2) Promotion of regional independence and invigoration

Other than the efficient and effective implementation of the hard-soft cooperative measures towards the independent regional block development, in order to invigorate regions with the active interaction of people and supply circulation between a wide range of different areas, subsidies for regional independence/invigoration were granted to 75 regional projects until now, based on the Regional Invigoration Basic Plan worked out by prefectures.

3) Promotion of regional development according to the concept of “the new public sector”

Based on the concept of “the new public sector” of positioning various parties (such as residents, regional groups, NPOs and corporations) as regional development supporters, the various parties of government and private sectors cooperate to conduct “community creation support model projects on the new public sector” that is the implementation of the model for activities for creating communities by utilizing existing traditional and cultural regional resources. In FY 2009, there were 176 submissions throughout the country. 130 proposals that suited regional conditions were selected; “future focused village development of village function reform”, “management and succession of a beautiful and secure nation”, “environmental development of double-regional residence and settlement” and activities are being undertaken in each area of the country.

## (2) Promotion of regional stronghold formation

1) Stronghold development for independent development of diversified regional blocks

Based on the “Multi-polar and Diversified National Spatial Promotion Act”, promotional stronghold region development is being pushed forward in spots that gather special industries and cultures in the region. Also, in business-oriented cities $ ^{1} $ positioned in the Development Plan on National Capital Regions, the intensive development of business facilities locations and various functions is producing certain effects in terms of corrections to over-concentration in the urban areas of Tokyo and development is being pushed forward continuously. Moreover, based on the “Tsukuba Institute of Science and Technology Urban Construction Act”, aiming at urban invigoration by utilizing science and technology collections, the construction of the Tsukuba Institute of Science and Technology City is being promoted. Additionally, urban development is in progress along the Tsukuba Express and environmental urban development, based on the characteristics of the Tsukuba Institute of Science and Technology City, is being worked on. At the same time, based on the “Kansai Cultural and Academic Research Urban Construction Promotion Act”, Kansai Cultural and Academic Research Urban Construction is being promoted with the purpose of forming a stronghold with new cultural/academic/research evolution in the Kinki Region; and based on the “basic policies on Kansai Cultural and Academic Research Urban Construction” based on the “Third Stage Plan”, related ministries and government offices, autonomous regions and business communities are cooperating and planning further promotion of urban construction. Besides, in order to be a region with functions and living conditions that meet the standards for international cities, the implementation of development plans is being pushed forward based on the “Osaka Bay Coastal Area Development Act”.

2) Review on the Transfer of the Diet

Based on the Act on the Transfer of the Diet and Other Central Government Offices, the necessary cooperation for the review in the Diet is being performed, including the survey related to the relocation of the Diet and the information distributed towards citizens.

### 5. Promotion of Coordination and Exchanges among Regions

(1) Road development for unifying merged municipalities and exchange among regions

For the promotion of unifying merged municipalities, the development of roads or bridges connecting central districts and the public facilities of merged municipalities is being pushed forward with the cooperation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. Also, for regions where exchange is inactive due to geographic limitation, exchanges among regions is being promoted and road development that contributes to regional invigoration is being pushed forward.

(2) Promotion of exchanges among cities and farming/mountain/fishing villages

The village invigoration promotion project for supporting the repair of existing public facilities, such as abandoned school buildings, and their development into exchange facilities in geographically unfavorable regions; the formation of wide-ranged exchange/cooperation axes by developing highway networks, the housing/land supply for realizing rural habitation, and the development of water-friendly/exchange spots in harbors and wooded areas are being implemented. Moreover, the promotion of exchanges between cities and farming/mountain/fishing villages is being pushed forward through supporting the activity named “All right! Nippon Conference” with the cooperation of related ministries and government offices.