The deterioration of many public facilities built by local governments in the 1960s and 1970s is a growing problem. Because most prefectural and municipal governments are in difficult financial straits due to soaring social welfare costs and shrinking populations, they must decide which facilities to repair and which facilities to close or integrate. They need to carefully study the condition and use rate of these facilities, and listen to local residents' opinions.
In most cases, local governments have different sections managing different facilities such as municipality offices, schools, libraries, public health centers and community centers. Therefore they need to first create a register listing the basic data of individual facilities, such as age, construction costs, floor size, earthquake-resistant strength, use rate and maintenance costs. Only after compiling this data can they tackle the question of what to do with the facilities. By considering the population trend, degree of need, the cost-benefit factor of each facility and residents' views, local officials should decide whether to reconstruct, repair, abolish or integrate facilities. Privatization could also be an option.
Issuing a report on the conditions of aging public facilities and their maintenance costs will help local governments gain residents' understanding of their plans for such facilities.