Decision on Eligibility for the Law on Historical Urban Development

Following the enactment in 2008 of the Law on Historical Urban Development, under which the central government provides subsidies to local authorities for the preservation of historical townscapes, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructures, Transport and Tourism, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and the Agency for Cultural Affairs jointly announced on January 19 that five cities had been approved for subsidies; Kanazawa City in Ishikawa Prefecture, Takayama City in Gifu Prefecture, Hikone City in Shiga Prefecture, Hagi City in Yamaguchi Prefecture, and Kameyama City in Mie Prefecture. The scheme under which the central government subsidises between one-third and one-half of the cost of maintenance. However, properties already receiving governmental subsidies, such as those designated as Important Cultural Properties or Historic Sites, are excluded from this scheme. (Japanese)