## 2 ) Promotion of Tele-work

Tele-work is a flexible form of working that utilizes information communication devices and is not limited by place and time. It is expected to have the effect of a reduction of commuting burdens by shortening the distance between workplace and home, the realization of balance between work and family (work life balance) and the assurance of business continuity during disasters.

According to the government’s “Action Plan on doubling the Tele-work Population”, MLIT organized seminars for working out the popularization and promotion of enterprise Tele-work as well as carrying out investigation about the actual situation of the Tele-work population and facilities distribution.

Percentage of Tele-workers in the working population (projected from the estimate value of 2002, 2005 and 2008)

functionalities and equipment that enables Tele-work in the metropolitan area.

## 3 ) Promotion of childcare supporting transportation

To cope with the demand of child-care supporting transportation services between home and day nurseries or schools by taxi, from the viewpoint of ensuring the security of traveling to/from the school, the guidebook on service manner for taxi drivers, who provide a child-care supporting transportation service, was published.

(2) Development of environment for children to grow up freely and safely

In order to ensure the security and safeness of park users, especially children, the publication of the “Guidelines for Pool Safety Standards” and the “Guidelines for Safety of Playground Equipment in City Parks (revised version)” to all facility administrators was carried out. At the same time, the “Urgent Comprehensive Support Project on the security and safety of city parks” was established in FY 2009 to provide local government with intensive support on security and safety measures for park facilities.

### 3. Measures for an aging society

(1) Development of secure living environments for senior citizens

Based on the “Act on Securing Stable Supply of Housing for the Elderly”, the administered quantity of quality senior citizen rental housing was 32,634 units at the end of March 2009. The registered rental housing that was not rejected by senior citizens was 153,745 units (including 29,766 units of rental housing for the exclusive use of senior citizens) at the end of March 2009. In addition, the Service Housing Project is being implemented in 858 housing estates (22,985 units) by the end of FY 2008. The project provides a barrier-free public rental housing supply and daily life consultation and emergency services through life support advisors. Moreover, the urgent promotion project of living stabilization for senior citizens was established in FY 2009 and it has been providing support for public rental housing and the unified development of welfare facilities as well as leading measures concerning housing for senior citizens. In addition, public rental housing estates have been redeveloped into regional welfare strongholds. Furthermore, support utilizing public rental housing is being provided on developing new living style with the cooperation of grouping homes $ ^{1} $ , welfare and nursing care.

Additionally, part of the above Act was revised in May 2009. Cooperating with the housing and welfare policies, the rental housing supply for senior citizens is being pushed forward in order to provide life support and nursing service.

## (2) Provision of transportation for an aging society

In order to cope with the needs of regular visits to the hospital or medical facilities for senior citizens and disabled persons, the promotion of the introduction of welfare taxis $ ^{2} $ is underway. As of the end of FY 2008, the number of cars in service was 12,527. Moreover, according to the model project on welfare transportation popularization and promotion, support is being provided with the cooperation of regional public organizations to the specific regions that carry out measures including common car-allocating centers and the planned introduction of welfare vehicles. Moreover, according to the revised “Road