The Cultural Affairs Agency on Monday opened in Kyoto after relocating from Tokyo, becoming the first government body to move its headquarters from the capital as part of the nation's push to boost the regions through decentralization.
The agency, which transferred its main functions to the western city including the commissioner's office, will focus on disseminating Japanese culture from the ancient western capital that is famous among foreign tourists for its traditional aesthetics.
"I want the employees in Kyoto to be flexible and make full use of virtual options as the forerunners of the central government's promotion of work-style reforms," Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said in a speech via video conference.