Let me introduce examples of breaking through “Opportunity-Narrowing Regulations” as for urban development.
There is an extralegal measure concerning the Urban Planning Act which requires the Prime Minister’s certification of approval for development. This development includes the plans/projects in order to promote residential facilities in the City Center, office buildings, convention facilities, and etc.
A measure concerning the Building Standard Law can ease the FAR restriction in order to promote residential in the vicinity of global enterprises’ offices, while the other measure can ease the usage restriction by ordinance to promote quick action for the provision of convention facilities.
In addition, there is an extralegal measure in National Strategic Special Zone which can ease the Road Law. When the zone is controlled by an appropriate Area Managing Body, they can permit to occupy the sidewalks of public roads. You may find Cafés on the sidewalks of Marunouchi Naka Dori/Gyoukou Dori, and Nihonbashi Naka Dori/Edo Sakura Dori, all of which are the results of applying this initiative.
