Abstract
The national land policy of Japan was established by the National Land Development Act in 1950, which aimed at suitable land use, development, and preservation of national land. The national land policy has changed twice since then: first, from agricultural to industrial development; and second, after the oil crises, from industrial development to a better living environment.
We are now facing a third change brought about by the changing national economy as well as people's wants, and these new trends will inevitably change the national land policy from a simple development-oriented policy to a quality of life-oriented one. Three major background factors in this change are: (1) globalization with economic development and growth in Asian economies; (2) a decreasing and aging population with slower economic growth; and (3) increasing concern for environ-mental problems.
Therefore the following issues should be taken into account when formulating the new national land policy: (1) development of decentralized multiple core cities outside the Tokyo metropolitan area; (2) removal of the national capital functions from Tokyo; (3) development of a belt zone along the main transport corridor and formation of a network of non-metropolitan cities; (4) security against natural disasters; and (5) transformation to an “open society.”
For decision making, the following points should be discussed: (1) evaluation of the decision-making system; (2) issues related to administration to implement these policies; and (3) relations between the national land policy and regional development.
Geographers should express their opinions on these new policies, and applied geography should address the decision-making process of national and regional policies from a future-oriented view-point.
