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The Ceremony of Certification of Plans for Special Zones for Structural Reform and Plans for Regional Revitalization Wednesday, December 8, 2004 Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi attended the Presentation Ceremony of Certification of Plans for Special Zones for Structural Reform and Plans for Regional Revitalization, held at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. This was the sixth and second presentation ceremony of certification of the plans, respectively. The system of Special Zones for Structural Reform allows exceptional measures for regulations in accordance with local characteristics, and aims to achieve regional vitalization by promoting structural reform in such areas as education, agriculture and social welfare. The number of plans for special zones amounts to 475 including the 90 that were certified on this day. The plans for regional revitalization aim to vitalize the regional economies and promote the creation of employment in the region. There is a total of 250 plans including the 36 certified on this day. Special zones approved on this occasion included the "Special Zone for Vitalization of Fisheries Industry in the Shimonoseki Area" in Yamaguchi Prefecture, which aims for efficient management and vitalization of the market through lending fishing port facilities to the private sector, and the "Kitakyushu Special Zone for Creation of 'Capital for Environment' by the Citizens" in Fukuoka Prefecture, which implements an unmanned car-rental-style car sharing business through the use of IT. As for plans for regional revitalization approved on this occasion, the "Formulation of a Culture and Art Creating City" in Toshima Ward, Tokyo was included, which utilizes school buildings that have fallen into disuse as places to rehearse for performances and as a venue for cultural exchange events in the region. Prime Minister Koizumi delivered an address, in which he said, "I wish for the certified local governments to become the engine of structural reform, changing the country from the regional level." Prime Minister Koizumi bestowed the certificates on each recipient.