SAPPORO (Kyodo) Nonprofit organizations face high barriers in their attempts to help prefectural and municipal governments by operating public facilities as designated managers.

The 2003 revision of the Local Autonomy Law authorizes private-sector companies and NPOs to become designated managers and operate public facilities on behalf of local entities.

However, the Internal Affairs and Communication Ministry said only 5 percent of NPOs nationwide have been commissioned to run certain installations under the control of local governments.