are broadcast by securing an exclusive CATV channel, special allocation tax measures are taken for producing the public information programs and the cost of broadcasting them.
Special allocation tax measures include cases where administrative information channels are provided by leasing channels not only on local government-run CATV but on private CATV, or by hiring time. The measures also apply to fixed program contents and supply time, such as supplying a broad range of lifelong learning information or health and welfare information, and not only notices from the administration.
5. Leading projects
In order to promote local information networks, an operating system and equipment for transmitting, receiving, processing and storing information are essential. The functions, type and scale will differ depending on the actual conditions of the region and the type of information service provided, but it is important to promote the building of an information base by combining such facilities.
The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunication, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Construction use different names, but plans and support measures for the construction of information centers are being hammered out. However, as the focus is on construction and management by the third sector, there is expected to be a limit on how much can actually be achieved. Profitability is ensured in areas where information related projects have to be promoted as a matter of policy, and there are circumstances where it is difficult to balance income and expenditure. For this reason, there are only a few places in the whole country where plans have been realized, and in most cases the burden is borne by local government.
If the project has to be undertaken under any circumstances for policy reasons and at public expense even if profitability cannot be guaranteed, it is necessary for the local government to become the executor and enable construction of this kind of base facility.
The Ministry of Home Affairs regards these progressive undertakings for regional development of local authorities concerned with important local policy issues for the 21st century as leading projects and activelysupports them. To be more precise, in addition to raising the allocation rate of regional development fund project bonds for key independent projects based on plans for the promotion of leading projects to 90% (normally 75%), allocation tax measures are taken for part (30-55%) of the redemption expenses including interest, according to financial power.
Since 1990 new local information network measures have been taken up in a specific policy issue. Construction of information network facilities with various functions, such as information system development support, provision of information services, exchange of information, and popularization and enlightenment, and construction of an information network based on the facilities are being promoted.
Between 1990 and 1996 the projects of 14 local governments were designated. (See Table 25)
If the "special measures for town development", "promotion of regional development", or "emergency project for promoting settlement of youth in a particular area" is urgent or will have a great effect on the promotion of regional development, it is regarded as a local information network-related project.
