Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto outlined plans Monday to spur land use and housing construction through easing building-to-land ratios in urban areas and other means as a way to bolster the weakening economy.
Hashimoto instructed the construction and agriculture ministers, along with the directors general of the Land and Economic Planning agencies, to work out details so that as many specific steps as possible can be included in the government's pump-priming package expected as soon as Nov. 18. The ministers were ordered to seek cooperation of municipal governments in carrying out the deregulation steps, EPA Director General Koji Omi later told a news conference.
The ratio, set to maintain a balance between building space and land on which the building stands in city areas, currently stands at a maximum 600 percent for areas designated for high-rise housing projects.Hashimoto also said he wanted measures taken to boost land use in suburban areas so housing construction can rise.