(1) Financial support will be given to local public non-subsidized services, in order to meet the growing role of local government resulting from decentralization, with consideration given to the need for vitalization of communities, the need for the construction of infrastructure, stricter criteria in selecting projects for subsidy, and the influence on local economies. New land conservation projects and urban revitalization projects will be established. Priority will be given to the development of the environment as it relates to daily life and the local economy, such as Hometown projects, local specified road projects, emergency disaster prevention infrastructure projects, and projects to improve the health and welfare of the elderly.
(2) New land conservation projects and urban revitalization projects will be implemented. The following programs will be promoted： Hometown projects in agricultural, mountainous and fishing areas, development of agricultural, mountainous and fishing areas, development of forests and mountain villages, welfare programs to cope with the falling birthrate and the aging of society, environment protection programs, the development of education, culture and sport, and programs for internationalization and information.
(3) Safety programs, such as development of the fire defense force and protection from natural disaster and earthquake damage, will be promoted.
(4) The necessary financial measures will be taken for depopulated and overpopulated areas.
10. Funds will be transferred from the general account to the public enterprise account in order to improve the operating base of local public enterprises, the water supply infrastructure, sewerage, transport and hospitals, and to develop new projects to meet the changing socio-economic situation.
11. In order to rationalize the management of local administration and finance and to establish financial order, the following measures will be taken.
(1) Standards of national grant-in-aid, such as unit costs, will be revised.
(2) General administration expenditure will be suppressed as far as possible, and measures to rationalize personnel numbers, such as a reduction in the quota for regular personnel, will be taken.
(3) The necessary financial resources will be secured to cope flexibly with the changes in circumstances during the fiscal year.
