The government has mapped out a bill designed to promote 13 infrastructure improvement plans with the approval of the Cabinet.
According to a copy of the legislation obtained Friday, the government hopes to put the plan into effect on April 1.
The nine-article legislation says the priority projects should enhance safe and smooth traffic flows, reinforce the nation's economic foundations, preserve favorable living environments and national land and improve urban environments.
The projects include those related to roads, traffic safety, railways, airports, ports, seamarks, urban parks, water supplies and sewerage, rivers, erosion and torrent control, landslide prevention and the coastline.
The bill calls for Cabinet ministers in charge to work out priority plans and submit them to the Cabinet for approval.
In the process of drawing up the plans, the ministers should listen to the opinions of the public, the legislation says.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will submit the legislation to the ordinary Diet session to be convened Monday.
As a basic principle, the legislation calls for creating "independent and original" local communities through the implementation of selected and efficient projects.
The implementation of the projects requires coordination on projects and close cooperation with local people, the legislation says.
It also states that the plans can be amended in response to changes in economic conditions.
The legislation will be accompanied by related legal changes, such as a revision to permit the use of the gasoline tax and other tax revenues now earmarked for road construction to finance clean-air projects along roads.