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There is a strong demand for the type of local development that will promote and energize life in the communities by taking full advantage of the culture that exists in local areas. It is also necessary to improve the conditions for the promotion and encouragement of independent community endeavors, The Agency for Cultural Affairs has been, in cooperation with local governments, cultural organizations, institutions and so on. promoting various model projects to encourage local culture as a means of laying cultural bases in communities.

First, since fiscal 1992, the Agency for Cultural Affairs has been carrying out "Programs for Formation of New Cultural Centers". These programs aim to stabilize and foster local artistic and cultural organizations which are engaged in activities such as high level music, drama and dance for the purpose of creating bases which can become centers of wider ranging activities that will send cultural information to all parts of Japan. Three regions have been selected for these programs, which dispatch qualified experts, organize creative activities and conduct periodic projects in order to foster community artistic and cultural organizations by making use of their highly functional cultural facilities, such as halls designed for the performance of chamber music groups or orchestras. Examples of three projects that were held in 1992 for the purpose of fostering local culture were; 1) the "Matsubushi Project to Promote; Community Development through Music" in Matsubushi City in Saitama Prefecture, making use of the "Den-en Hall ELLORA" for the "Ensemble Orchestra ELLORA"; 2) the project "Okayama Symphonia 21" at the Okayama Symphony Hall in Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture for the Okayama Philharmonic Orchestra and the 3) "Hiroshima Opera Renaissance" in the Creative Arts Center for opera organizations in Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture. These programs will continue to be carried out in 1993, so that these groups might be firmly established.

Secondly, the Agency for Cultural Affairs began "Programs for the Promotion of Culture in Local Areas" in fiscal 1993. These are carried out in designated areas in accordance with the "Law Concerning Promotion of Conditioning Local Basic Cities, and Promotion of Re- distribution of Industrial Business Facilities", which was enacted in 1992. These programs aims to establish places for the creation of culture and bases for the spread of cultural information within the designated areas. At present, there are nine areas which have been selected from among the designated areas for participation' in these programs. Under these programs, the following activities are carried out: 1) the "fostering of qualified experts", through the training of stage-art technicians to make effective use of cultural facilities; 2) "exchange among communities", through using the facilities of community cultural organizations for creative activities and through competitive performances involving cultural organizations from other communities; and 3) "general educational and cultural activities" such as symposiums and other events that concern art and culture. These three types of programs are meant to achieve their purposes by carrying out their goals in mutual organic cooperation.

It is expected that through nationwide sharing of the know-how and benefits gained from these programs, the cause of new and unique cultural activities rooted in the communities will be promoted.