## ○ Making better use of the existing infrastructure stock

MLIT is committed to making better use of the existing infrastructure stock for better service delivery. For more efficient and effective management of such stock, the ministry promotes the use of an integrated assess management approach.

○ Promoting ETC on the Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway to alleviate congestion

For example, the introduction of the electronic toll collection (ETC) system at tollgates on the Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway almost dissolved traffic congestion.

(ETC utilization rate: 4.5% Congestion: 45.2 kilometer-hours/day [October 2002])

→ (ETC utilization rate: 59.8% Congestion: 4.3 kilometer-hours/day [October 2005])

* Amount of traffic congestion starting at toll booths

○ MLIT focused on improving both the maintenance and operation of all government buildings properly and efficiently, in order to achieve a longer life of the existing buildings and to reduce costs in the life cycle.

○ MLIT promoted the formation of broad-based railway networks through: the construction of lines that connect existing lines and the improvement of existing train stations for through services between different lines.

## ○ Reform of quasi-governmental corporations

The four highway-related public corporations were privatized in October of 2005, and six private businesses and one independent administrative institution were established. It has also been decided that the Government Housing Loan Corporation will be abolished in April of 2007 and a new independent administrative institution that provides securitization support services will be established in its place.

## [New partnership between the central government on one hand and local governments and the private sector on the other]

## ☐ New partnership between the central and local governments

The central government is pressing ahead with reform that will lead to the transfer of tax revenue sources to local governments. MLIT, for its part, has been reviewing state subsidies so that local governments can enjoy more autonomy. The ministry is also phasing in flexible standards that allow for local governments to make appropriate choices in light of local realities (introduction of local rules).

## ○ Utilization of the private sector’s creativity and ingenuity

MLIT is committed to promoting the private finance initiative (PFI). As of December 2005, a total of 44 MLIT-related PFI projects were in the works. In FY2005 the ministry also newly established the "MLIT Regulatory Reform Overhaul Headquarters," which is working toward the promotion of further regulatory reforms, including overhaul of regulatory reforms relating to MLIT administration. In addition, the ministry is promoting special zones for structural reform. MLIT is allowing 11 regulatory exceptions, which were originally applied in such zones, to be applied nationwide.

## ○ Providing more open and interactive services

In implementing infrastructure development, it is important to win the understanding and support of local communities. To that end, MLIT has formulated the “guidelines on public involvement procedures in the planning phase of public works projects under MLIT jurisdiction.” A total of 75 public works projects had been implemented in accordance with these guidelines as of the end of December 2005.

Also a monthly average of over 1200 comments have been sent in since the ministry opened the MLIT Hotline Station. The idea was to gain a broad view of the people's comments, requests, and other input to more directly serve the general public.