### b. Promotion of Teleworking

Teleworking, a flexible work style that uses information communication technology for the freedom to work anywhere, contributes to vitalization of local cities, etc. through promotion of workforce participation by women, etc. and creation of new workplaces and is required of promotion. In addition, teleworking promises to reduce the burden of commutes by combining work and living arrangements, realize harmony of work and life (work-life balance), and ensure business continuity during disasters and other events among other benefits.

The “Declaration to be the World’s Most Advanced IT Nation” decided by Cabinet on June 14, 2013 (Revised on June 24, 2014), states, “To these ends, government will collaborate with industry to support employment models for teleworking from home that allow workers to spend at least one full workday per week at home targeting women engaged in child raising, who find it particularly difficult to continue working, as well as men participating in childcare, and caregivers. The target is full development and widespread adoption of such models by 2016 to encourage greater social participation by women, secure labor during a time of low birth rates and an again population, support greater participation by men in childcare, and achieve balance between work and care giving” and teleworking will be promoted even more through initiatives.

Relevant ministries and agencies are coordinating to promote the further adoption of teleworking through initiatives such as creating a facilitating environment and raising awareness in the belief that teleworking will create employment opportunities for people seeking alternative working arrangements and also vitalize regions among other effects.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism conducted the assessment of the current situation of teleworking, quantitative assessment of the current teleworking population, and assessment of the teleworking development base demands, etc.

## (2) Creating a Relaxed and Safe Environment for Children to Grow

To ensure the safety and comfort of children and other park users, various facility administrators are made aware of “Guidelines Regarding Safety Requirements for Playground Equipment at Urban Parks (Edition 2)” and “Pool Safety Standards Guidelines” and programs such as the Social Capital Development Integrated Grant provide focused support to local governments for safety and comfort measures of park facilities.

## 3 Ageing Society Measures

## (1) Creating a Living Environment for the Elderly to Live Comfortably

The Silver Housing Project provides a package including the supply of public housing and other accessible facilities, life support advisors to counsel daily living needs, and emergency response services and as of 2013 is implemented at 986 housing projects (24,904 housing units).

Also, in order to promote development of the “Housing and City for smart wellness” where various families with the elderly and small children can live and act actively, the promotion projects for the housing for smart wellness support the development of housing with service for the elderly, welfare facilities etc. in housing developments etc. and pioneering living and town planning measures for the elderly.

## (2) Providing Transport Services that Meet the Needs of an Ageing Society

In order to respond to the demand for the transportation disadvantaged such as the elderly and disabled to use hospitals and other care facilities, the implementation of welfare taxis $ ^{*} $ Note is being promoted and as of the end of FY2013, 16,059 vehicles are being operated. Also, the Investment Subsidy to Ensure the Procurement, Maintenance and Improvement Regional Public Transportation is being utilized to support the implementation of welfare taxis needed in regional areas and from FY2012, universal design taxis that are easy for the elderly and various people are granted preferential measures regarding motor vehicle tonnage tax and vehicle excise tax if the vehicle meets standard specifications and is certified by government. Also, as of the end of FY2013, 3036 organizations are providing fee-based passenger transport services to allow municipal governments and NPOs to provide fee-based transport services using private vehicles in the case where the parties of the regional residents agree that services by bus or taxi companies are deemed difficult to provide and the