Agency for Cultural Affairs

*Functions

The Agency for Cultural Affairs works for the promotion and popularization of cultural activities, subsidizes and otherwise helps artists, helps to build cultural facilities particularly in places remote from big cities.
Another important role of this Agency is to preserve and utilize cultural properties as by appointing, recording, or preserving of "intangible cultural assets," local community ceremonies and traditional performing arts.
Other roles include: Research on current Japanese language usage; Studies and public relations activities on copyrights; Legal attention to the nation's religious activities.

**Web site contents

(Not available in English)

Ministry of Health and Welfare

*Functions

The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MHW) is engaged in a variety of activities dedicated to the protection and improvement of people's health and welfare. The MHW is responsible for health and sanitation such as the provision of appropriate medical care; assurance of the safety of foods and pharmaceuticals; waste disposal and treatment; social welfare such as support for people with disabilities to develop self-reliance, and assurance of a minimum standard of life for people in need; social welfare policies for children and the elderly; and social insurance such as the administration and operation of various public health insurance and pension systems. In addition, the MHW is in charge of supporting war victims and survivors as well as the establishment and management of national hospitals and sanatoriums throughout the country for the benefit of the people.

**Web site contents

The MHW web site includes the Ministry's "Organization," "Social Security Policies in Japan," "White Papers," and "Statistics and Other Data." The site also includes a "Related Site Links" that takes visitors to other sites such as those maintained by national medical facilities in Japan, and the counterpart ministries or departments of the governments of the U.S.A., the U.K., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Social Insurance Agency

*Functions

The Social Insurance Agency administers the National Pension, the Employees' Pension Insurance, the Government-managed Health Insurance and the Seamen's Insurance. The Agency's main functions are collection of contributions, the payment of benefits concerning pension and medical insurance record-keeping, and providing counseling services. In Addition, as a service which returns a part of the resources of the National Pension, the Employees' Pension Insurance, the Health Insurance and others the Social Insurance Agency has been providing health promotion services for insured persons by establishing overnight lodging facilities and fee-charging homes for the aged.

**Web site contents

(Not available)

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

*Functions

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) ensures stable food supplies for the nation, land and environment preservation, regional redevelopment, consumer protection, and technological advance.
External organizations include the Food Agency which monitors rice and wheat distribution, the Forestry Agency which helps maintain state- and privately-owned forests, and the Fisheries Agency which covers all public and private fishing industries.

**Web site contents

Japan's new agricultural policies in the age of globalization.
"A Guide to MAFF" link describes Government adaptation to the world market, Implementation of Uruguay Round Agreement of GATT, and subsequent Japanese efforts on reforming agricultural policies.
Other links include "Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Research Council," "List of Statistics on Ag./Forestry/Fisheries," "Japan Agricultural Cooperatives" and "FAO/FAOSTAT" (the site of the UN Food Organization).

Food Agency

*Functions

An Agency under the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Food Agency aims to ensure stable supplies and prices for Japanese staples such as rice and wheat.
The Agency makes basic plans for supply and demand, inspects new deliveries, and actually purchases, stocks, and sells these commodities.
They also examine the quality and safety of grains.

**Web site contents

(Not available in English)

Forestry Agency

*Functions

Another agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. About 70% of Japanese territory is forested, and the responsibility of the Forestry Agency is to conserve soil and water, ensure stable supplies of timber, and promote private forest industries with professional advice and assistance. To perform its duties effectively, the Agency conducts a broad range of research and also cooperates with foreign countries in the pursuit of sustainable forest management.

**Web site contents

(Not available.)

Fisheries Agency

*Functions

Under the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Fisheries Agency works to ensure stable supplies of marine products, promote sustainable fishing industries, build facilities, and educate fishermen on the operation of a modern industry.

**Web site contents

(Not available)