I�d like to reply to Council Member Mr. Yasui�s questions. His questions regarding decentralization have been very wide and varied. Therefore, my replies may seem somewhat abstract. Again, I will answer each concrete problem that Mr. Yasui raises.

Primarily, the local autonomy is the basis. We very often hear "Establish the local autonomy." To date, we have properly conducted Kobe's administration. The point is, 'how people can creatively build their town or their area.' I say we need actions with that point [in mind]. In addition, I think the people are also expected to move toward more autonomy.

To start this, a big city must face many prerequisites. Such a big city attracts many people, who then must plan and agree on rules to live together.

So, the administration is in a position to support such plans, like making rules as the voters specify. In the beginning. the administrators were not well developed, but just the administrative structure was. A relevant point in was the historical example of a foreign country where people were gathered but were without leadership� guidance by the administrative system was not available. However, they made towns by their own initiative and power � this is called citizen autonomy --- we still can see the examples of "citizen autonomy" in parts of Switzerland.

I think the administration is to be a support system for the citizens' autonomy and the attaining of the things they want. It is similar to full time service by a type of person who would ask to help or wish to volunteer. This is the administration system made up of today's public servants.

Before this style, previous administrative styles were different but they were indeed the public office. Then, the public office supposedly exists for the reason of to be as supporter to the free citizen.

Since both sides want to keep the town, therefore both Citizens and administration will work together and cooperate. This means that we have made and are now making the town based on cooperation. This is implicit in the word "Kyoudou" (work in cooperation). Even though we have built the City, still there are hazards, that possibility that the City could be destroyed by humans being even today. History has already shown us uncertainty: natural disasters, anger and resulting war that has destroyed the City. Therefore, I think we have to build the City by "Kyoudou". This is the basis in the local autonomy.

Therefore, the important issue is that people want to have a comfortable life, to live peacefully, as a matter of course, and to accomplish this goal. Similarly the city: as the number of people grows, so the role of the administration in big cities grows very big. I think this is a problem for any public organization in the world

So we have many problems that impede the establishment of the local autonomy, just as the Councilman pointed out in his question. Authorities and organizations have increased. However, the rules written when the town was first established can sometimes work to shackle or slow local autonomy. Rules behave that way. This is one way to explain it. Citizens like this analogy. In fact, this is a possible effect if we want to eliminate this problem. This is one of the answers. I think it is to the credit of the administration that we have been trusted despite what some see today as obstruction to the works we have undertaken.

So, in a similar flow of events, we see the trend of "transfer the authority" in the country and in public organizations as well as the City of Kobe.

We pressured the national Government and the agencies that handle ordinance-designated cities to transfer the authority to us. At the same time we studied differences between other ordinance-designated cities. I think the members already knew from when we announced this as required during each step of the budget planning process.

I think that each future administration will continue to grapple with the issues of deregulation and administrative reform.

In particular the "Asukon"** report "Tomorrow�s Big Cities viewed from the Citizens� Perspective" is one of the result in the discussion at between ordinance -designated cities. Finished last year, it introduced a report including 80 concrete examples of transfer of authority.  **(ASUKON: a gathering for friendly discussion)

Regarding this prefecture�s Administration Research Section: As I understand it, they are considering concrete options. However, at this step, they are considering a menu of details for transferring autonomy from the Prefecture down to the non-ordinance designated cities.

So, Kobe City has exceptional authority regarding entrusted business. Because Kobe City has this authority, we have no special problem. However, I�ve never heard any arguments about transfer of power to Kobe or any ordinance-designated city. It depends on how we look at it.

Therefore, people have questioned "does the public organization have enough stamina or ability?" This was pointed out in the newspapers many times. Therefore, we have to have enough ability to meet decentralization.

In situations like this, I think we are planning well for the future. Especially, in Kobe�s case, we have frequently explained about authority transfer. In addition, the City Meetings and Town meetings have requested authority transfer from the prefectural governor. However, the situations between ordinance-designated cities and other Cities and Towns are different in content. Therefore, I would like to keep paying attention to this issue.

If we encounter deregulation problems as we build a comfortable City, I think we are surely going to demand it at our first request. I think we will purposely follow the opinions and recommendations of the Municipality's report regarding the transfer of authority.

In the past Kobe City delayed announcing such problems after they happened. This was somewhat like the historical adage "things begin with the person who speaks it first". We are a step ahead in the transfer of authority. This is a measure devised for readiness to deal with actions of authority transfer. This is one answer to the question of "what does Kobe City have to do".

We have too many problems but not enough time to explain each. For example, in town zoning, it was frequently discussed by recent newspapers and the city assembly that it will be very effective if we raise the limit of the square meter ratio a little bit.

Many more ideas exist, for example:  if the basement is too costly, then it�s a good idea to deduct from the floor area ratio calculation.