Home > Policy > White Paper, Notice, Announcement > White Paper > Japanese Government Policies in Education, Science, Sports and Culture 2000 > Part 1 Chapter 3 Section 6 3

Prior to the reorganization of the central government, the Law on the Reorganization of Related Laws to Promote Decentralization came into force in April 2000. This law is mainly concerned with the re-evaluation of the division of roles between the central government and local governments, the abolition of delegation of power by the central government to local government functions, and the reform of the central government's involvement in local governments. The law aims to establish equal and cooperative relationships between the central government and local governments, based on the principle of allowing local governments handle those matters closely related to the lives of residents as much as possible.

In relation to the administration of cultural policies, one of the most notable developments was the revision of the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties. Through this revision, more authority was transferred to local governments and the ownership of those archaeological artifacts, whose owners were unknown and whose ownership was assigned to the central government, was reassigned, in principle, to prefectures.

The government continues to provide financial assistance and technical advice from a specialist point of view to local governments. However, the role of initiative and innovation on the behalf of local governments is expected to grow in importance in the activities to study an area, to discover its potential, and to create and enhance local culture with outstanding characteristics.