Kyoto beauty Ministry eyes ad laws in Japan beatification bid
Monday June 30, 5:46 AM Kyodo Press
The land ministry plans to write a basic law designed to preserve historic buildings and scenic views of nature as well as to amend a law to regulate outdoor advertisements in an effort to beautify Japan, ministry sources said Sunday...Specifically, the law would call for preservation and efforts to increase greenery and underground installation of power lines, commonly found in many streets in Japan, according to the sources...These plans will be centerpieces of a government policy to be drawn up next month for "building a more beautiful nation," according to the sources. Relevant legislation will be submitted to a Diet session in 2004, they said.

Taro Toporific wrote:Kyoto beauty Ministry eyes ad laws in Japan beatification bid
Monday June 30, 5:46 AM Kyodo Press.

"Toward the Construction of a Beautiful Nation"

Land ministry unveils 'beautiful Japan' blueprint
Yahoo News / Friday July 11, 3:37 PM
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on Friday unveiled an infrastructure policy blueprint designed to put greater emphasis on the appearance of the nation's landscape.
The blueprint...plans to revive natural coastlines, control the height of high-rise buildings, regulate outdoor advertising and unify road and other public signs.
.... Japan has often undertaken massive public works projects -- which many critics say are unnecessary -- to build more roads and shore up river embankments and coastlines with concrete.
...skeptics call the project just another pork-barrel scheme designed to obtain government funds. ...
To promote greenery in urban areas...
The ministry also plans to remove some of the giant concrete tetrapods and other types of wave breakers that cover the nation's coastline....The plan also includes restoration projects at 16 tidelands. Other projects include installing more power cables underground