Our Mission

LEC Projects and Proposals for the Structural Reform Designated Special Zone

Changes in law are necessary to keep pace with the changing needs of industry, commerce, and private individuals. When these changes occur, they can have unexpected repercussions or necessitate further measures. For this reason the Japanese Government is employing a system of Structural Reform Designated Special Zones. Each special zone has laws that are applicable only within that zone. This system provides opportunities for experimentation whilst retaining a measure of safety against possible negative repercussions. LEC is involved in making proposals for and developing new enterprise based on these Special Zones.

LEC proposed 12 projects for the 5th Structural Reform Designated Special Zone to revitalize the local community. Reforms include trial privatization.

June 30th, 2004

1. Reform proposal for nationwide deregulation and trial privatization

  1. Foreign caretakers to be introduced in the Structural Reform Designated Special Zone
  2. Proposals for operation of Public Employment Security Offices and Social Insurance Offices
  3. Proposal for introducing private companies into the childcare field
  4. Proposal for deregulation of universities run by private bodies
  5. Appeal for better government subsidiaries designated for vocational training
  6. Proposal for introducing classes run by private bodies into the state mandatory education system
  7. Proposal for Interpreter / Guide Professionals

2. 5th Structural Reform Designated Special Zone

  1. Structural Reform Designated Special Zone for foreign caretakers
  2. Concept for "University K.K." (run by private company)
  3. Proposal for Interpreter / Guide Professionals
  4. Proposal for introducing classes run by private bodies in the state mandatory education system

3. Proposal

  1. Comprehensive proposal for the revitalization of local communities to help promote tourism

LEC proposed 18 projects for the 4th Structural Reform Designated Special Zone

November 28th, 2003

1. Employment

  1. Vocational Training in Higher Education (Structural Reform Designated Special Zone, Regulatory Reform)
  2. Privatization of Job Placement Service Projects (Structural Reform Designated Special Zone, Regulatory Reform)
  3. Employment Assignment (Structural Reform Designated Special Zone, Regulatory Reform)

2. Education

  1. Deregulation of credits at the university through distance learning (Structural Reform Designated Special Zone)
  2. University run by a private company (Structural Reform Designated Special Zone)
  3. Opening Up Initial Training of the Teachers for Private Enterprises (Structural Reform Designated Special Zone)
  4. Privatization of Educational Service (Structural Reform Designated Special Zone)
  5. Deregulation of setting up Japanese language schools (Structural Reform Designated Special Zone)

3. Child Care

  1. Deregulation of Child Night Care (Structural Reform Designated Special Zone)
  2. Amending PFI Law (Structural Reform Designated Special Zone)
  3. Opening up public child care to private enterprises (Structural Reform Designated Special Zone)
  4. Child Care Cluster Reform (Structural Reform Designated Special Zone)
  5. Reducing national subsidy for child care and delegating the tax source to local government (Structural Reform Designated Special Zone)

4. Exam Reform

  1. Exam Reform for Small and Medium Enterprise Management Consultant (SMECA)(Structural Reform Designated Special Zone)
  2. Exam Reform for Real Estate Appraisers (Structural Reform Designated Special Zone)
  3. Exam Reform for Certified Taxation Accountant (Structural Reform Designated Special Zone)

5. Other

  1. Proposal for Reform (Structural Reform Designated Special Zone)

LEC proposals for the 3rd Structural Reform Designated Special Zone

June 20th, 2003

1. Employment

  1. Jobcentre Privatization Assignment (Structural Reform Designated Special Zone)
  2. Recruitment Service Deregulation Assignment (Structural Reform Designated Special Zone)

2. Educational - Child Care

  1. Educational Service Privatization (Structural Reform Designated Special Zone)
  2. University run as a private company (Structural Reform Designated Special Zone)
  3. Deregulation of setting up Japanese language schools (Structural Reform Designated Special Zone)
  4. Privatization of child care service (Structural Reform Designated Special Zone)

3. Competition

  1. Bidding deregulation (nation-wide proposal)

LEC proposals for the 3rd Structural Reform Designated Special Zone

January 15th, 2003

  1. Special Zone for promoting highly qualified professionals
  2. Special Zone for privatized legal consultation
  3. Special Zone for work experience
  4. Special Zone for supporting insolvency recovery
  5. Special Zone for privatization of public childcare
  6. Special Zone for supporting childcare
  7. Special Zone for university and graduate school
  8. Special Zone for business high school