The Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry designated the city of Yubari, Hokkaido, officially bankrupt Tuesday, canceling its autonomy and paving the way for rehabilitation under central government control.

It is the first time in 15 years the government has declared a municipality bankrupt. The last time was in 1992, when Akaike, Fukuoka Prefecture, was designated as being in dire financial straits. Akaike renamed itself Fukuchi after merging with neighboring towns last year.

Yubari Mayor Kenji Goto received a letter of acceptance for the city's reconstruction plan from internal affairs minister Yoshihide Suga at the Diet building Tuesday morning, putting the city under strict state supervision.