"The promotion of the creation of a beautiful community rich in culture and surrounded by the abundance of nature while taking advantage of the characteristics of the Kansai region with its immense accumulation of culture and history.

Activities will be conducted that lead the way in the fields of culture and scientific research in mutual collaboration while providing an infrastructure for the active and fulfilling lives of residents and researchers, and the results of those activities will be reflected in industrial fields and city planning.

Finally, efforts will be made to contribute to the peace and prosperity of mankind through the transmission and exchange of the results of these various activities."

It will be necessary to deploy efforts in line with the direction indicated below in order to allow the city to demonstrate functions as the core of cultural and scientific research in Japan that are open to the rest of the world.

4-1-1 Enhancement of Activities Suitable for the Core of the Creation of Culture

In addition to strengthening efforts toward the construction of important cultural facilities by taking advantage the characteristics of the Kansai region with its abundant accumulation of Japanese culture and history, it will also be important to foster an environment that promotes spontaneous and active cultural activities by residents and researchers in an atmosphere in which culture is found throughout the entire city, and allows strategic activities of cultural and scientific research and domestic culture to have mutual effects.

From this viewpoint, it will be necessary to take the following actions in line with the directions described below.

(1) Formation of a Core for the Creation of New Arts and Culture

The arts are effective as a communication medium that can be mutually understood, appreciated and sympathized with by people everywhere, going beyond historical, linguistic and other differences of countries throughout the world. It is particularly effective as a means for building peace through mutual understanding of all people. In addition, the arts speak to the sentimentality of people, and the needs of citizens with respect to the arts are growing in reflection of the phenomenon of spiritual emptiness and so on. Therefore, increasing the depth of the foundation for arts and culture in Japan will not only significantly contribute to elevating the level of culture among its citizens, but also contribute to the peace of the world.

Consequently, in addition to supporting artistic and cultural activities throughout Japan, a core for the creation of arts and culture will be formed as a foundation that promotes exchange with the rest of the world. It will be necessary to provide the following functions to accomplish this: (a) the function of gathering, storing and publicly disclosing information both old and new and from all corners of the globe relating to the arts as a form of human endeavor; (b) the function of researching the arts from a global viewpoint based on gathered information; (c) the function of graduate school education relating to the arts; (d) the function of developing personnel (culture administrators) engaged in the promotion and development of the arts and culture; and (e) the function of deploying a wide range of programs involving the arts, including exhibitions and public lectures.

Among these, studies will promptly be conducted to determine the order of priority by which these functions should be provided by conducting surveys and so forth relating to what functions are the most important. Moreover, it will be necessary to improve the level of completion of the respective concepts toward realization of those functions that have been judged to be given priority for implementing construction.

(2) Formation of a Core for Storage and Utilization of Cultural Properties

Cultural properties are valuable traces of the existence of mankind. These cultural properties are disappearing from the earth due to destruction or being scattered and lost due to economic development and war. The protecting of these cultural properties and transmitting the cultural information from them to later generations through research cooperation, personnel development cooperation and so forth are suitable activities for Japan as it strives to become a nation founded on culture.

In order to accomplish this, it will be necessary for this city to serve as the core of storage and utilization of cultural assets by providing functions consisting of: (a) storage, restoration and studying cultural properties; (b) comprehensive research on cultural properties; (c) cultural property information; (d) international exchange relating to cultural properties; and (e) historical experience relating to cultural properties, by taking advantage of the characteristics of the Kansai region, with its diverse range of valuable cultural properties extending from ancient times to the present, and its vast accumulation of their storage and restoration techniques.

Among these, as the order of priority by which efforts will be made for the time being, the functions of storage, restoration and studying cultural properties of (a) are important for developing storage and restoration technicians for which there is a shortage internationally. The function of cultural property information of (c) is important for receiving information on cultural properties from around the world, transmitting documents, references and technology relating to cultural properties accumulated in Japan to countries throughout the world and promoting a correct understanding of history. The function of international exchange relating to cultural properties of (d) is important for allowing persons throughout the world involved in international exhibitions, excavation, surveys, storage and restoration of cultural properties to deepen their mutual understanding beyond national differences. It will be necessary to improve the level of completion of the respective concepts toward realization with respect to the providing of these functions.

(3) Sophistication of Functions of the Kansai Annex of the National Diet Library

Construction of the Kansai Annex of the National Diet Library and the Work Experience Plaza has already been decided. It will be necessary for all persons concerned to join together to work towards early commencement of that construction. In addition, in order to heighten the interest of citizens in activities conducted by these facilities so that they are deployed effectively over a broader range, it will be important to enhance the various functions of these facilities such as promoting the use of multimedia.

4-1-2 Further Promotion of Scientific Research Activities

The following efforts will be promoted while attempting to collaborate with surrounding cities engaged in activities rich in a frontier spirit by creating numerous universities and technology-oriented venture corporations promoting creative research as a city that serves as the core of the Kinki Research Complex.

(1) Formation of a Core for Scientific Research Aiming at Solving Human Issues

In order to realize the concept of this city, it will first be necessary to further promote interdisciplinary scientific research activities that contribute to solving human issues. In order to accomplish this, together with attempting to strengthen the activities of various organizations located in this city, including the International Institute for Advanced Studies and Keihanna Interaction Plaza Incorporated, and promoting the location of core research facilities, efforts will be made to induce the location of both government and private research institutes to enhance the integrating effects of scientific research facilities. Moreover, the providing of NPO (non-profit organization) research planning and research support functions will be promoted to ensure diversity of research themes and compatibility with social needs.

Among these, as the order of priority of these efforts for the time being, it will be important to proceed with strengthening of the activities of various existing facilities and enticement of location by research facilities, while also promoting interdisciplinary research involving human issues.

(2) Efforts Toward Realization of Leading University Functions

It will be necessary to emphasize the roles of education, research, social services and so on at universities as the core of scientific research, and promote further integration of research functions by heightening intellectual potential. In order to accomplish this, together with inviting universities engaged in basic research and the development of creative personnel, efforts will be deployed so as to present a new ideal form of university towards activation of original scientific research in Japan, development of creative personnel, and the deployment of flexible scientific research.

Among these, as the order of priority of these efforts for the time being, the enhancement of founding university functions engaged in, for example, the development of creative personnel and the providing of information relating to germinating technology, as well as the construction of collaboration systems between universities will be important.

(3) Formation of the Core of Collaboration Among Industry, Academia and the Government in Support of the Creation of New Industries

It is necessary to seek out the ideal form of future industrial activities that are able to withstand an age of intense industrial competition while focusing on human issues and promote the development of industrial technology compatible with social needs by integrating the knowledge of the industrial, academic and government sectors from the viewpoint of creating leading industries for the 21st century in Japan.

In order to accomplish this, in addition to achieving greater sophistication of industrial activities through mutual contact and exchange based on independent and advanced research activities of individual universities and research institutes already established, efforts will be made to further promote joint research projects among the industrial, academic and government sectors including steps toward research exchange activities implemented by Keihanna Interaction Plaza Incorporated and joint research between academia and industry such as by the Nara Institute of Science and Technology. In addition, together with proceeding with efforts to serve as a model for the creation of new venture-type industries by, for example, providing the results of research to industry from universities and research institutes located in the city, industries will be invited to relocate to the city to take advantage of those research results.

For the research themes involved in creation of new industries, it will be necessary to concentrate efforts on not only fields of advanced science and technology, but also on fields in which it is difficult to implement such efforts based on market mechanisms, examples of which include welfare and the environment.

Among these, as the order of priority of these efforts for the time being, it will be important to promote effects that serve as a model for activities that create new industries, such as the providing of research results to industry from universities and research facilities located in the city.

In order to connect the results of activities conducted in the city as the core of cultural and scientific research with contributions to the peace and prosperity of the entire world, it will be important to promote positive exchange both within Japan and overseas. On the other hand, since various research institutes have been located in the city thus far, the potential is growing for promoting exchange within Japan and overseas. Consequently, for the activities at this new stage of the city, it will be important for facilities located in the city to take advantage of that potential to aggressively implement exchanges and support both in Japan and overseas, and generate concrete results with respect to the solving of global problems. From this point of view, the following efforts will be promoted while utilizing the impact of the location of the Kansai International Airport.

(1) Cultural Exchange and Collaboration

In order to promote activation of cultural activities and international contribution in all areas of Japan, in addition to providing information to all areas in Japan and to the rest of the world regarding the promotion of the arts, the preservation and utilization of cultural assets and local cultural activities, efforts will be made to enhance functions for developing personnel to be responsible for those tasks. Furthermore, in the promoting of these efforts, it will be important to collaborate with existing cultural research institutes and so forth in the Kansai area in order to symbiotically elevate those effects.

In addition, together with aggressively providing opportunities for promoting international cultural exchange activities, such as the holding of international events in the city, as a stage for the promotion of mutual contact and exchange of culture among regions both in Japan and overseas, the formation of a cultural information network will be promoted that utilizes the Kansai Annex of the National Diet Library from the viewpoint of promoting fusion between scientific research and culture and collaboration with the region.

(2) Strengthening of Research Exchange Systems

By promoting networking among various facilities and functions in the Kansai region as the core of the Kinki Research Complex, it will be possible to promote various forms of exchanges such as research exchanges with domestic and overseas organizations or research exchanges between different fields, and deploy more active research activities that would be unable to be achieved within the framework of individual fields, regions, research organizations and countries. Moreover, it will also be necessary to implement efforts that serve as the symbol of those exchanges, such as the providing of opportunities for interdisciplinary research exchanges that may more appropriately be referred to as the "Keihanna Society" which differ from conventional societies in individual academic fields.

(3) Exchange and Collaboration for Creation of New Industries

Together with providing an incubator for the seeds of new industry, the results of research will be supplied to industrial fields based on needs gathered relating to new technology. In addition, together with supporting new industry incubation activities deployed in major cities and all regions of Japan, functions including technology assessment, technical guidance and personnel development will be enhanced based on collaboration among incubation centers, government testing sites and so forth in each region for the purpose of contributing to the promotion of industrialization of new technology at small and medium-size corporations.

(4) Transmission of the Results of Efforts as a Pilot Model City

Follow-up will be conducted periodically on the status of community creation conducted on a model and experimental basis in the city, and in addition to transmitting that status by taking advantage of the Internet and public announcements in the form of symposiums and so forth, it will be necessary to reflect that status in community planning in each region by gathering and transmitting information relating to community creation at cultural and scientific research centers throughout Japan and the world.

Together with striving to form an urban environment of which this city can be proud that allows residents and persons engaged in research in the city to live comfortably based on the concept of interconnection of various city functions, the creation of city will be promoted that has an enjoyable atmosphere with a high degree of intellectual amenities throughout the city for those persons who visit the city as well.

In addition, together with forming new urban space that offers the ideal state of new urban areas of the future along with methods for achieving that state as the pilot model city of the 21st century, it will also be necessary to deploy innovative and experimental community development by taking advantage of the results of the cultural and scientific research conducted in the city.

From this point of view, in addition to naturally concentrating current efforts on the items indicated below, these items will also be steadily provided towards eventual completion of the city.

4-3-1 Community Creation from the Viewpoint of Residents and Researchers

(1) Creation of a Safe, Comfortable and Convenient Community

Efforts will be made to provide disaster prevention and safety systems based on experience obtained from the Great Hanshin earthquake and other past experiences. In addition, together with creating a community that can be enjoyed just by walking through it as well as a community that is people-friendly in consideration of the elderly and so forth, efforts will be made to strengthen urban life support functions and research activity support functions for improving the level of convenience of residents and researchers by, for example, enhancing domestic convenience facilities, welfare and health care facilities and research support services so as to allow both residents and workers to live comfortably.

(2) Providing High-Quality Housing and the Formation of a Healthy Community

Together with striving to improve the quality of housing and the residential environment, which are the most fundamental aspects of the lives of residents, residential areas will be formed that realize the development of a healthy community and barrier-free access for persons having a diverse range of lifestyles.

(3) Integrated Community Planning Taking Advantage of the Individuality of Each Region

Studies of clusters on which construction has not yet begun will be conducted sequentially in an organized manner towards actual project implementation. In addition, by taking advantage of the characteristics of cluster-type development, in addition to promoting the creation of unique communities within each cluster while maintaining harmony with Peripheral Areas, community creation will be promoted that takes advantage of individuality, such as the formation of regional centers that take advantage of the neighborhoods in front of major train stations such as Miyamaki, west of Hosono station and in front of Kizu station in Peripheral Areas as well. Moreover, the construction of community centers that promote exchange throughout the entire city as well as symbolic spaces that create a sense of unity for the city will be promoted so as to foster mutual understanding among residents and researchers residing in each region along with a sense of attachment to the region.

(4) Formation of a City Center

The formation of a city center is important for establishing a framework for the city and enhancing city functions. In order to accomplish this, an effort will be made to form a multi-centered, network type of city center by taking advantage of the characteristics of cluster-type development to construct a city center having a high degree of attractiveness supported by diverse transportation functions accompanying the formation of the center of each cluster.

In addition, with respect to the layout of the city center, it will be necessary to proceed with studies on the potential for deployment to new districts besides the Seika-Nishi Kizu district in preparation for integration of future city functions.

4-3-2 Construction of a Transportation Infrastructure and Telecommunications Infrastructure

Together with the various functions of the city being demonstrated effectively based on collaboration between each cluster and collaboration with various regions in Japan and overseas, a telecommunications network will be constructed while also promoting the construction of a wide-area transportation network that connects parent cities with the Kansai International Airport and so on, along with the construction of an intra-city transportation network that strengthens ties between each cluster to enhance the level of convenience of daily life.

(1) Formation of a Public Transportation Network

A network of bus routes will be established that connect nearby train stations and clusters or clusters with other clusters for which there are particularly strong requests by residents and researchers. In addition, together with striving to improve convenience by increasing the number of trains running on existing railways such as the JR Kansai Science City Line and Kintetsu Kyoto Line, efforts will be made to promote early completion of the Keihanna New Line. Moreover, studies will be enthusiastically conducted to determine the need for branch lines and so forth to service the central cluster (Seika-Nishi Kizu district).

(2) Formation of a Roadway Network

In addition to promoting the construction of wide-area principal roads such as the Second Keihan Expressway along with the enhancement and strengthening of those roads, efforts will also be made to promote construction of access roads for these wide-area principal roadways. In addition, the construction of connecting roads between clusters along with roads between train stations and clusters will be promoted while giving consideration to the bus transportation network in the city.

(3) Formation of a Telecommunications Network

The construction of a telecommunications infrastructure will be promoted that enables rapid, large-volume information exchange and communications to serve as a new domestic and social infrastructure in an advanced information model city of the 21st century.

4-3-3 Efforts to Create a Pilot Model City

In promoting the construction of a pilot model city of the 21st century, since it is necessary that those efforts infiltrate the lifestyle in the city, in addition to efforts made with respect to facilities, it will be necessary to aggressively conduct activities that promote spontaneous participation by residents and researchers of the city as well as activities for their enlightenment.

(1) Creation of a Community that Gives a Sense of Purpose

It is necessary that a lifestyle which allows everyone residing, working and learning in this city to live while feeling a sense of purpose throughout their lives be reflected as the concept of community creation. In order to accomplish this, together with promoting various types of community creation relating to living and hobbies so as to allow residents and researchers to enhance their efforts toward lifelong learning by their own efforts, opportunities will be provided for self-study and self-realization in accommodation of various senses of values. In addition, unique educational programs will be promoted to develop creative individuals even in elementary and intermediate education that is suitable for a city that leads the way in the fields of cultural and scientific research in Japan.

(2) Community Creation in Synergy and Harmony with the Environment

Together with aiming towards the promotion of the formation of a city placing a low burden on the global environment, such as a resource-conserving (including water conservation) and energy-conserving city, along with the formation of an environmentally-friendly lifestyle, efforts will be made to construct a city in harmony with nature, including protection of the natural environment in clusters and Peripheral Areas, preservation of farmland, and the prevention of uncontrolled urbanization. In this case, consideration will be given to collaboration with the Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth (RITE).

(3) Establishment of an Environment Suitable for the Core of Culture Creation

It will be necessary to promote the creation of a city rich in culture so as to give the impression that the city itself is culture as a scientific research city crowned with culture. In order to accomplish this, in addition to promoting the securing of familiar cultural activity space and spontaneous cultural activities that serve as the model of an era of culture while also developing civic culture, efforts will be made to create a highly individualistic city that takes advantage of the natural features, history and atmosphere of the Kyoto, Osaka and Nara regions, as well as form an attractive urban landscape through the enticement of greenery, underground power lines, roadside facilities and architectural design.

(4) Community Creation that Leads the Way in Advanced Information Utilization

Together with further promoting model and experimental efforts through collaboration with organizations such as the Multimedia Promotion Center for the purpose of connecting advanced information utilization with a rich lifestyle and sophisticated urban activities by applying multimedia technology through a wide range of city activities, the results of those efforts will be applied to promote CATV businesses providing more sophisticated services and information.

(5) Model City for International Exchange

Accompanying the intensification of activities in the city, it is expected that numerous researchers will visit the city from overseas and eventually reside in the city. Consequently, together with securing housing that can be utilized by foreign researchers and their families, the creation of enjoyable communities will be preferentially promoted that allow foreigners to live and be active in the city both with convenience and peace of mind by providing functions that support foreign researchers during their stays in the city and their research activities by, for example, installing signs containing directions written using letters of the alphabet and providing translation service functions, while also enhancing education systems, health care facilities and other life support functions for foreign residents.

Kansai Science City Construction Promotion Office
Metropolitan Areas Development Division
City and Regional Development Bureau
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
at TEL: +81-3-5253-8111 (ext. 32-383) , FAX +81-3-5253-1587