implementation of the highly practicable plans worked out in conjunction with local governments and local residents to develop and utilize rivers and the waterside.

### c. Managing rivers with resident participation to suit regional characteristics

Those individuals who possess an expert knowledge of river environments and who are zealous for the idea of good river development are appointed “river environment preservation monitors” to help create and preserve river environments and carry out meticulous activities aimed at ensuring and promoting orderly river usage. “Love river monitors” are also at work, collecting information about river management, such as locating cases of illegal garbage dumping into rivers and detecting flaws in the river facilities, and promoting the philosophy of river preservation.

Further, with the inauguration of a river cooperation organization designation program, the MLIT designates those private organizations, etc. that pursue activities voluntary relevant to the development, maintenance, etc. of river environments as “river cooperation organizations” and legally accredits them as an organization working in conjunction with a river administrator, with a view to promoting their organized voluntary activities and driving diverse modes of river management tailored to specific regional conditions.

### d. Supporting efforts to take advantage of the regional features of the seaside

The implementation of seaside environment development projects, which formulate seaside usage revitalization plans and develop seaside preservation facilities according to those plans, are supported by granting General Social Infrastructures Development Subsidies to them to revitalize the usage of the seaside and add to its charms as a tourist resource.

Since a seaside cooperation organization designation program was ingurated, the MLIT designates those corporations and associations that are accredited to be capable of voluntarily conducting various activities, such as cleaning and planting seashores for preservation, protecting rare species of animals and plants along the seaside, getting prepared for natural disasters and hosting sessions of environmental education, and implementing proper and positive coastal management, as seaside cooperation organizations to reinforce the ties of collaboration with localities and thus to enhance coastal management to suit regional characteristics.

### e. Regional promotion built around ports

Those facilities at which continual approaches to regional development are carried on have been accredited and registered as “Minato (Port) Oases” by Regional Development Bureau Director Generals and others to promote community development around the core of ports to help revitalize localities by promoting exchanges of local residents and tourism (as of March 31, 2015, 80 ports).

Diverse events with resident participation taking advantage of regional characteristics and ingenuities are being held at the Minato Oases nationwide, bustling with numerous local residents and tourists.

In addition, the “All Japan Sea-kyu Gourmets Competition,” an event featuring local specialty food, held at the “National Council on Minato Oases,” an organ aimed at encouraging exchanges, etc. among the administrators of the Minato Oases nationwide, attracted a large number of participants.

Minato Oases have also been used as a place of serving oceangoing cruise ships in diverse ways to help revitalize localities with the power of oceangoing cruisers on the rise.