The infrastructure ministry says it plans to promote the conversion of office buildings in urban centers into public rental housing units in order to cope with a shortage of high-quality apartments.

The move is also aimed at dealing with the so-called year 2003 problem, in which major cities are predicted to face a glut of new office buildings, officials said.

The Land, Infrastructure and Transport Ministry will seek a budget appropriation for fiscal 2003, which begins April 1, to expand a subsidy program and offer tax breaks for such conversions.

The ministry will also seek amendments to the building code.