progressed at a pace so it will be largely completed within 5 years after the earthquake as we concurrently hasten the reconstruction of the region by advancing the development of port industry and logistical functions, earthquake resistant wharves contributing to strengthening earthquake-resistant capabilities, and sea area waste disposal sites.

Meanwhile, the sea area waste disposal sites at the Sendaishiogama Port Ishinomaki Area and the Ibaraki Port Hitachinaka Area are developed in order to receive debris generated by the Great East Japan Earthquake. The reception of debris disposal has started in February 2013 at the Sendaishiogama Port Ishinomaki Area, and in July 2012 at the Ibaraki Port Hitachinaka Area.

## Promoting Reconstructive City Development and Securing the Stability in Residency

## (1) Promoting Reconstructive City Development

In city development, we are working for smooth progress in reconstruction projects in accord to residential reconstruction plans (published in March of 2013), which incorporates the accommodating reviews over project techniques and project zones and ingenuities such as the stage based execution of reconstruction projects. Since the city development project required expertise and experience in forming consensus between relevant personnel and adjustments in matters concerning authority, and because projects are expected to be of unprecedented scale compared to past earthquake disasters, reconstruction projects require to be smoothly moved forward by supplementing the deficiencies in know-how and of personnel in municipalities. For these reasons, in addition to supporting the progress of projects by dispatching staff from local public organizations across the country, sending personnel to disaster affected local public organizations, implementing procurement methods for relieving the burden of procurement operations in disaster affected local public organizations, and utilizing the Urban Renaissance Agency, we also disseminate information through means such as by providing technical support through publishing and updating guidance information for the efficient execution of reconstruction projects, and also by posting the “Reconstructive City Development INDEX,” an online homepage compiling support initiatives.

As of March 2013, the plans executing the Disaster Prevention Group Relocation Promotion Project for migration to higher grounds have been approved for 325 districts (of the 328 expected to be subject to the plan) by the Minister. In addition, city development plans have been decided for 44 districts of the 59 expected to be subject to the land readjustment project.

## (2) Securing Stability in Residency

Similar to city development, based on the residential reconstruction plan compiled of reconstruction schedules respective to district, we plan to swiftly secure the stability in residency through support projects mentioned below. For victims who are able to build or obtain housing by own means, interest rates were lowered for disaster recovery housing loans provided by the Japan Housing Finance Agency. Disaster recovery housing loans were also provided to victims who only suffered damages to their real-estate. Pre-existing loans were given up to 5 year extensions on payments and payment deadlines, as well as interest rates being lowered for loans amid payment.

Picture of public housing for disaster victims

Source) Souma City, Fukushima Prefecture

Victims who face difficulties in building or obtaining housing by own available means

are being provided public housing (public housing for disaster victims) by local public organizations. In addition to distributing grants for the cost of maintenance in these facilities and expenses from lowering rent for victims, we are devising special arrangements concerning the requirements for occupant qualification and cession of housing

Status of preparation for public housing for disaster victims (March 31, 2013) Graphic II-1-3-1

Prefecture	Building sites	Design initiated	Construction initiated	Construction complete	Provision plan
Iwate prefecture	61 districts 2,500 number of units	45 districts 1,618 number of units	12 districts 433 number of units	4 districts 118 number of units	approx. 6,000 number of units (11 municipalities)
Miyagi prefecture	109 districts 6,062 number of units	83 districts 4,865 number of units	25 districts 1,138 number of units	3 districts 50 number of units	approx. 15,000 number of units (21 municipalities)
Fukushima prefecture	41 districts 2,230 number of units	32 districts 1,946 number of units	6 districts 124 number of units	4 districts 80 number of units	Overall project is yet to be decided

Source) MLIT