education, and experiments using the internet.
(1) Executor of CATV projects
CATV projects are essentially projects that should be carried out as private operations, but when necessary it may be appropriate for the local authorities to support the project through the third sector in which the local authorities have invested. Also, in cases where there is no prospect of the project being carried out by private enterprise or the third sector, the local authorities may carry out the project themselves as the chief executor.
CATV is an all-round media with a diverse range of functions. In the case of exclusive broadcasting of television programs, the project should be carried out using contract fees or reception fees from the subscribers who benefit from the service, or advertising fees. However, if the construction of CATV is entrusted solely to private enterprise, it may be implemented in areas where conditions are favorable, such as shopping districts where residents gather in large numbers, but there is the risk that areas with poor investment efficiency such as mountainous or farming areas, will be neglected until last.
Therefore, in addition to eliminating regional differences in information, attention should be directed at the media properties of CATV which is of public and communal benefit as local information network facilities. If necessary confidence in CATV should be bolstered by local government investment, and it may be appropriate to facilitate its implementation by utilizing NTT non-interest loans and non-interest loans of the Regional Development Fund. (See Data 4)
Furthermore, in cases where there is no prospect of private enterprise, including the third sector, undertaking the project, the local authorities will have no choice but to carry out the project themselves. In this event, the local authorities should regard it as a local public enterprise project, and construct and run the facilities in accordance with management principles. However, if, at the same time, geographical conditions are very harsh and construction of the CATV facilities by a system where users bear the burden is recognized as difficult from an objective point of view, the greater part of the construction cost of the facilities may have to be borne out of general accounts.
If the local government invests in the third sector, it is desirable that the
