(Local seminars, Web page on local administrative reforms, Data bank on local administrative reforms, etc.)
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・Make local governments more open to the people (participation by residents, easier access to public information, etc.)
・Make local governments more efficient (organizational reform, rationalization of staffing levels, rationalization of wages and salaries, utilization of IT system, promotion of outsourcing, etc.)
・Enhancement of services provided by local authorities (Management skills, integration of services, etc.)
Merging of municipalities
〜Redesign of the national land〜
・Support for mergers through special systems (Citizens' petition system, special case for the number of local assembly members, financial measures, etc.)
・Provision of information and direct appeals (Merger consultation counters, provision of information on mergers through the Internet, dispatch of inter-regional administrative advisors)
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・Residents activities to promote mergers
・Leadership by heads of local authorities and assembly members
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・Enhanced public services ：
・Better town management
Promotion of administrative reform in local government
・In view of the need for further reform of the public sector amid the ongoing decentralization and financial restructuring, further administrative reform of local government is requested.
・The Ministry of Home Affairs sent out vice-ministerial notices in 1994 and 1997 requesting the formulation of reform outlines, to promote voluntary mergers of municipalities.
・All prefectural governments and designated cities and 99 percent of municipalities have already drawn up reform outlines, which shows the positive attitude of local authorities to the promotion of voluntary mergers.
