Top �� What's up around the Prime Minister �� December, 2002

Prime Minister Koizumi Meets with Heads of Local Governments and Experts on National Urban Renaissance Tuesday, December 10, 2002 Prime Minister Koizumi met with heads of local governments and experts on national urban renaissance at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. At a meeting of the Urban Renaissance Headquarters held in October 2002, a decision was made to consider a focused approach to advancing urban renaissance in all cities around the country under the theme of "from Wakkanai to Ishigaki" and efforts are currently being made together with concerned local governments to identify issues and to compile measures to be taken to solve those issues. At the meeting held on this day, reports were made by the mayors of five cities that have already begun to take concrete action toward urban renaissance: Wakkanai City, Tochigi City, Inuyama City, Matsuyama City and Usuki City. The reports focused on case studies of various approaches being made to build beautiful cities making the most of their local history and culture. A lively exchange of views among experts was also held. Addressing the meeting, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi stated, "Urban renaissance is a priority issue of the Koizumi Cabinet as one part of structural reform. I intend to reflect the views that have been expressed today in future measures."