“Comprehensive strategy for revitalizing towns, people, and jobs” (approved by the Cabinet)

Proposals were solicited from local governments for the relocation of central government-affiliated bodies to their areas, and Kyoto Prefecture submitted a proposal for the relocation of the Agency for Cultural Affairs. Other proposals for relocation of central ministries and agencies:

Consumer Affairs Agency → Tokushima Prefecture>
Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Statistics Bureau → Wakayama Prefecture
Patent Office → Osaka Prefecture and Nagano Prefecture
Small and Medium Enterprise Agency → Osaka Prefecture
Japan Tourism Agency → Hokkaido, Hyogo Prefecture
Japan Meteorological Agency → Mie Prefecture

The Kyoto Bid Council for the Agency for Cultural Affairs requested that the Agency be moved to Kyoto to best serve Japan.

Basic Policy for Relocation of Government-affiliated Organizations*
(*Decided by the Headquarters for Vitalizing Towns, People, and Jobs)

Excerpt:
On the premise that it will be able to perform functions equal to or greater than current levels in diplomatic relations, work related to the Diet, and policy planning work (coordination with related ministries and agencies, etc.), regional revitalization and the utilization of cultural assets, etc., the Agency for Cultural Affairs will be fully relocated while strengthening its functions, including responding effectively to new policy needs expected of the Agency for Cultural Affairs.
For this reason, the Agency for Cultural Affairs Relocation Council (provisional title) will be established to conduct a drastic reorganization and consider matters such as the establishment of an administrative system in Tokyo, the timing of relocation, relocation costs, and recurring expenses after relocation. Established within the government with the cooperation of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the Cabinet Secretariat, and relevant ministries and agencies. While conducting demonstration experiments using ICT, etc., an overview of the organizational structure for the relocation will be compiled by the end of August, specific details to be decided by the end of the year, and the move to Kyoto within a few years.

Formation of the Agency for Cultural Affairs Relocation Council
Members: Secretariat of the Headquarters for Vitalizing Towns, People and Jobs, Cabinet Secretariat, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Agency for Cultural Affairs, Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City
Observers: Cabinet Personnel Bureau, Ministry of Finance

Excerpt:
In accordance with the central government’s basic relocation policy, the following points will be given due consideration: regional revitalization, securing functions as a national institution, and relocation costs, including whether relocation to areas distant from Tokyo will result in excessive cost increases and organizational ballooning. At the same time, it is necessary to move forward with the initiative.
*Relocation of the Agency for Cultural Affairs, adheres to the same framework as the Basic Policy for Relocation of Government-affiliated Organizations delineated above.

Summary of the outline of the functional enhancement of the Agency for Cultural Affairs and the overall process of means for proceeding with the relocation.

Key points:
Taking a broader view of cultural policy targets
Further promotion of lifestyle culture components, such as food culture
Laying the groundwork for cultural activities
Enhancing education in culture and the arts as well as experience-based opportunities for all generations
Strengthening of the cultural policy formation function and promotion system
Development of a comprehensive policy promotion system for the Agency for Cultural Affairs through collaboration with various related fields
Formulation of a basic plan for effective planning, implementation, and verification of cultural and arts policies

Compilation of specific details for the Headquarters for Vitalizing Regional Cultures and Kyoto candidate locations for full-scale relocation destinations

Establishment of the Headquarters for Vitalizing Regional Cultures

Excerpt:
As for the Agency for Cultural Affairs, efforts to promote tourism by making use of local cultural resources, to strengthen measures expanding regional revitalization, to improve the dissemination of Japanese culture internationally, to promote lifestyle culture such as food culture, and to utilize science and technology are to be made. The Agency for Cultural Affairs will be fully relocated to Kyoto thereby strengthening its functions so that it can respond to new policy needs such as the creation of new cultural icons and conducting cultural policy research.
First, the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ Headquarters for Vitalizing Regional Cultures, which was established in Kyoto in April 2017, will take the lead in relocating projects that meet new policy needs while making use of local cultural expertise. In parallel with these pioneering efforts, the site of the full-scale relocation of the government building will be determined by the end of August 2017 after deliberations by the Agency for Cultural Affairs Relocation Council. In addition, the strengthening of all functions of the Agency for Cultural Affairs will be studied along with a fundamental restructuring the organization with the aim to submit a bill to revise the related Law for the Establishment of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (1999, Law No. 9) during the ordinary Diet session from January 2018. The overall relocation is to proceed in a planned and step-by-step manner.
Excerpt:
In addition to formulating a ‘Culture-based Economic Strategy’ (provisional name) and promoting its development toward a profitable culture, work will also be done to strengthen the functions of the Agency for Cultural Affairs in order to respond to new policy needs, such as the comprehensive promotion of policies. Designating the period up to 2020 as a priority period for the promotion of cultural policies, promotional initiatives aimed at building a national brand strategy based on culture and expanding the economic scale of the cultural industry (cultural GDP). Promoting effective support for cultural and artistic activities, securing hands-on learning opportunities for children, developing human resources, promoting cultural and artistic activities for persons with disabilities, and disseminating attractive Japanese culture by seizing opportunities such as cultural programs and Japonismes 2018. At the same time, efforts will be made to preserve, utilize, and carry on cultural traditions, and to build digital archives by strengthening the functions of national cultural facilities and developing center functions related to the disclosure and use of cultural properties.
In addition, the development of information bases for media art such as manga, anime, and games of which Japan is proud will be promoted.

Enactment of the Act for Partial Revision of the Basic Act for the Promotion of Culture and Arts (promulgated and put into force on June 23, 2017)

Article 2 of the Supplementary Provisions
"In order to comprehensively promote measures related to culture and the arts, the government shall examine the expansion of the functions of the Agency for Cultural Affairs, including the modalities of its hierarchical structure, and take necessary measures as dictated by the results.

(1) Establishment of the organizational framework, including the establishment of the Agency for Cultural Affairs Headquarters in Kyoto; (2) Relocation to the current Kyoto Prefectural Police Headquarters; and (3) Aiming for the relocation [of the Agency] by the end of FY2021 at the latest.

Enactment of the Law for Partial Revision of the Law Establishing the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology

(1) Comprehensive promotion of cultural measures, and (2) Transfer of administrative work related to art education and museums from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology to the Agency for Cultural Affairs.
Supplementary Resolution: (House of Representatives Committee on Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, House of Councilors Committee on Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology)
Regarding the results from verifying the effect and impact of the planned full-scale relocation of the Agency for Cultural Affairs to Kyoto, considering that the relocation is a precedent setting case for government-affiliated organizations to areas outside Tokyo, reports to the Diet are appropriate.
In connection with the regional relocation of central government ministries and agencies, the Agency for Cultural Affairs established the Regional Cultural Creation Headquarters in Kyoto in April 2017 to prepare for the [Agency’s] full-scale relocation. The general framework, location, timing of relocation, etc., were decided. In addition, based on the revised Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Establishment Law enacted in the ordinary session of the Diet in 2018, etc., strengthening of the functions of the Agency for Cultural Affairs and implementation of drastic organizational reforms will continue. Efforts toward a full-scale relocation are to proceed steadily.

Excerpt:
Based on the “Basic Plan for the Promotion of Culture and the Arts” and the “Cultural and Economic Strategy,” the period up to 2020 has been designated as a priority period for the promotion of cultural policies. In addition to expanding the economic scale of industry (cultural GDP), the use of private funds and advanced technology in the cultural field will be promoted, through means such as high-definition replicas of cultural properties and VR creation. In addition, promotion of cultural and artistic activities for children and persons with disabilities as well as strengthening the functions of national cultural facilities. etc., will be carried out. Furthermore, the enhancement of the functions of the Agency for Cultural Affairs toward the full-scale relocation to Kyoto will be steadily advanced. At the same time, promotion of the attractiveness of Japanese culture through the nationwide development of cultural programs, the recognition and utilization of Japan Heritage, and the holding of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) Kyoto 2019 will be carried out to further draw attention to the beauty of Japan both domestically and internationally.

Concerning the preparation as destination for the full-scale relocation and development of government buildings, the total rent borne by the central government will be reduced by half (the market equivalent of the land will be free, and the market equivalent for the building will be reduced by 40%).

Enactment of the Law for Partial Revision of the Law Establishing the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology

⇒The new Agency for Cultural Affairs was launched with a drastic organizational restructuring in preparation for the full relocation to Kyoto.

Excerpt:
Enactment of the Law for Partial Revision of the Law Establishing the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
⇒The new Agency for Cultural Affairs was launched with a drastic restructuring in preparation for the full relocation to Kyoto.
Excerpt:
In order to rectify the excessive concentration [of government functions] in Tokyo and create a new current directing people to more rural regions so as to balance migration to and from the Tokyo metropolitan area, efforts will be made to expand the Regional Revitalization Cooperation Volunteers program. In order to accelerate the transfer of [private corporations’] headquarters to local areas, comprehensive and drastic measures are to be considered, including a base strengthening tax system. Efforts based on the Basic Policy for Relocation of Government-Affiliated Organizations will be promoted. By creating a ‘regional cooperation platform’ (provisional title) and promote the reform of local universities, it is intended to strengthen the functions of high schools, technical schools, specialized training schools, and colleges/universities as human resource development institutions that are needed by local communities.

Excerpt:
The Agency for Cultural Affairs, is working to strengthen the separate functions of the Kyoto and Tokyo offices by testing and improving use of the video conference system, etc. Preparations for a smooth relocation, including the provision of appropriate welfare benefits is proceeding steadily.

The Kyoto Prefectural Government reported the following matters, which the Agency for Cultural Affairs Relocation Council approved. Excerpt:
Kyoto Prefecture has been considering ways to complete the work within the initially planned 18-month construction period, but due to work-style reforms in the construction industry, etc., the construction period has been extended from the original 18 months to 26 months with the new target for completion set in late August 2022.
• Regarding the timing of the relocation of the Agency for Cultural Affairs, we would like to consult with the Council on Relocation of the Agency for Cultural Affairs again, taking into account the status of construction orders.

Excerpt:
In Kyoto Prefecture, open bids were accepted for the construction of the new government building and ultimately a contract was concluded with a construction company, raising expectations for timely completion, an early move, and the prompt start of Kyoto office operations.

Excerpt:
The Agency for Cultural Affairs, we will strengthen the functions of the separate offices in Kyoto and Tokyo by testing and improving their operations while utilizing video conference systems, etc., and will give due consideration to welfare programs, including offering suitable living quarters for relocated staff. The Agency will steadily proceed with preparations such as these, and after completing construction of the new government building scheduled for August 2022, will quickly realize the full relocation to Kyoto.

Excerpt:
The Agency for Cultural Affairs is steadily moving forward with initiatives such as a prompt full-scale relocation to Kyoto after completion of construction work on the new government building scheduled for August 2022.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs, aims to start operations in fiscal 2022, and will use video conferencing systems, etc., and promote tests and improvement of operations in the Kyoto and Tokyo offices. Preparations for a smooth relocation, including appropriate consideration for welfare programs, including education and childcare for families are continuing.

The Agency for Cultural Affairs reported to the Agency for Cultural Affairs Relocation Council the results of the Kyoto relocation simulations conducted in fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2020.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs reported the contents to the House of Representatives Committee on Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the House of Councilors Committee on Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
[Reference] ‘Law for Partial Revision of the Law Established by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’ (Revised, June 2018)
Supplementary Resolution (House of Representatives Committee on Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, House of Councilors Committee on Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology)
Results of verification of the effect and impact of the planned full-scale relocation of the Agency for Cultural Affairs to Kyoto, considering that the relocation of the Agency for Cultural Affairs to Kyoto is a precedent-setting case for the relocation of government-affiliated organizations to areas outside of Tokyo, are reported to the Diet as appropriate.

Excerpt:
While proceeding with maintenance procedures, it was discovered that the amount of work required for the reinforcement of seismic resistance and the inner walls, etc., of the former main building of the Kyoto Prefectural Police Headquarters, as well as the disposal of buried rubble, would increase. For this reason, a five-month extension of the work period is requested, with late December 2022 becoming the revised completion date.

In response to this extension of the construction period, the Agency for Cultural Affairs will need to conduct separate construction work, bring in fixtures, inspect facilities and make various preparations for the full-scale operation of the government building after the completion of construction. Since it is expected that the office will be required to deal with the Diet and account settlement operations from 2020 to around summer, it will be extremely difficult to complete the relocation of all the departments scheduled to be relocated by the end of FY2022.
Therefore, after the relocation, the core organization of the Agency for Cultural Affairs will move in March 2023, aiming to start operations in FY2022. While taking advantage of the long holidays in early May 2023, relocation is to proceed as soon as possible, starting with the sections that can be relocated early on, while taking into consideration circumstances in the Diet.