・The scale of local government finances exceeds that of the national government
As a result, the total finances of local authorities for fiscal 1998 was 87 trillion yen, which exceeds that of the national government. The scale of local authority actual annual expenditure is double that of the national government.
Table 21 The role of local public enterprises
・Planning and management of the local public enterprise system
This bureau also plans and manages the local public enterprise system, arranging finances and giving advice to local public enterprises.
・The role of public enterprises
Public enterprises provide various services which are essential for residents' daily lives and regional development, such as water supply, traffic services, hospital services and sewage. ( At the end of FY 1996 public enterprises numbered 11,048.)
