positioned as part of “Reservoir area Vision.”

Other ongoing efforts directed at regenerating and creating waterside environments from the facility spaces of sewage line and from sewage plant effluents include development of babbling water streams taking advantage of storm sewers and that of facilities for putting sewage plant effluents to use as babbling water. The conservation and creation of excellent waterside environments is also ensured by the implementation of appropriate wastewater treatment.

## 2 Community Development Leveraging Nature and History

(1) Developing National Government Parks to contribute to the preservation, utilization, etc. of Japan's indigenous cultures

The development of National Government Parks has been driven to ensure the preservation, utilization, etc. of Japan’s superb indigenous cultures. A total of 17 National Government Parks are already open, including the Asuka Historical National Government Park. In FY2014, the area surrounding the Kitora Tumulus, etc. was refurbished in the Asuka Historical National Government Park (Asuka Zone).

## (2) Preserving historic landscapes in ancient capitals

In Japan’s ancient capital, such as Kyoto, Nara and Kamakura, restrictions are placed on constructing new buildings, etc., making additions and modifications to existing ones, developing housing land and so on under the “Act on Special Measures for Preservation of Historic Natural Features in Ancient Cities (Ancient Capitals Preservation Law).” The Act also provides for the implementation of ancient city preservation projects, such as purchasing land, and publicity, educational and other activities, to help preserve historic landscapes in these cities.

(3) Preserving and utilizing historic public buildings of historical value, etc.

The preservation and utilization of locally long-loved governmental and other public facilities has been promoted. In addition, efforts have been encouraged to turn erosion and sediment control facilities of historic significance (as of March 31, 2015, two designated Important Cultural Properties and 183 designated Registered Tangible Cultural Properties) and their ambient surroundings into a new forum of human interaction by positioning these facilities as a core of tourism resources.

Civil-Engineering Art Sediment-Control Dam Tour (Otari-mura, Nagano Prefecture)

Tourism and exchange activities are promoted using historic sediment control facilities that protect the communities.

Source) MLIT

## (4) Community development leveraging histories and cultures

Historic landscape maintenance and improvement plans for 49 municipalities (as of March 31, 2015) have been accredited to drive community development leveraging local histories and traditional cultures and approaches pursuant to the plans supported, based on the “Law on the Maintenance and Improvement of Historic Landscape in a Community (Historical Urban Development Law).” Further, empirical studies and surveys have been conducted in 10 regions nationwide and support extended to the refurbishing, etc. of building architectures of scenic or historic values with a view to resolving the common blocks that block the formation of historic townscape.