Also for architectural structures used by the general public, including those such as the elderly and disabled, architectured to be over a certain scale are required to be accessible in accordance with the “Act on Promotion of Smooth Transportation, etc. of Elderly Persons, Disabled Persons, etc.” and approved specific buildings that meet certain requirements are eligible for support measures such as subsidy programs. For government facilities, the promotion of newly developed advanced accessible government facilities as well as making existing government facilities more accessible is being carried out.

Approvals of Architecture for Specified Designated Building in Accordance with the “Act on Promotion of Smooth Transportation, etc. of Elderly Persons, Disabled Persons, etc.”

Fiscal Year	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011
Approval (Fiscal Year)	11	120	229	320	382	366	332	232	280	367	386	348	331	289	255	184	208	130
Approval (Total)	11	131	360	680	1062	1428	1760	1992	2272	2639	3025	3373	3704	3993	4248	4432	4640	4770

Source) MLIT

## ② Universal Design of Pedestrian Spaces

In accordance with the “Act on Promotion of Smooth Transportation, etc. of Elderly Persons, Disabled Persons, etc.,” areas such as roads and stations squares that connect to facilities such as stations, government facilities, and hospitals must ensure that everyone including the elderly and disabled should be able to pass through comfortably by promoting the universal design of pedestrian spaces through measures such as creating wide sidewalks; lessening unevenness, slopes, and grades; eliminating utility poles; and guiding blocks for the visually impaired.

## ③ Accessibility of City Parks and Other Areas

For the development of city parks, there are standards and subsidies under the “Act on Promotion of Smooth Transportation, etc. of Elderly Persons, Disabled Persons, etc.” for safe and comfortable usage, like eliminating grade disparities at entrances, exits, and passages as well as ensuring facilities such as restrooms are usable by those such as the elderly and disabled. Also, to ensure that anyone can enjoy natural spaces such as rivers and ports, there are support measures for waterfront development as an integral part of town planning and ensuring the accessibility of passenger ship terminals for ports.

## 2 Creating an Environment that Supports Child-rearing Under an Low Birthrate Society

(1) Supporting the Balance of Work and Child-rearing

## ① Supporting the Supply of Housing Suitable for Newly Weds and Child-rearing Households

To ensure that newlyweds and child-rearing households can obtain suitable housing and living environments, the Japan Housing Finance Agency (Incorporated Administrative Agency) uses securitization methods and other financing methods to support the obtainment of high-quality housing ownership and for rental housing, when local government develops rental housing for child-rearing households or subsidizes cheaper rent (regional quality rental housing measures), support is given through local government. Also, integrated development of public rental housing and child-rearing support facilities is being promoted for public sector rental housing.

## ② Promoting Teleworking

Teleworking is a flexible work style that uses information communication technology for the freedom to work any place or time and promises to reduce the burden of commutes by combining work and living arrangements, realize harmony of livelihood and living (work-life balance), and ensuring business continuity during disasters and other events among other benefits.

“The New Strategy in Information and Communication Technology (IT)” (established May 2010) positions the “Promoting Teleworking” for its potential to create work opportunities for people seeking more diverse means of employment, revitalization of regional communities among other benefits and supports the promotion of fostering an environment for further spreading and firmly establishing teleworking, public awareness and other measures through intergovernmental cooperation.

The MLIT carried out various measures for the spread of teleworking such as quantitative assessment of teleworking