Two advisory bodies to Land Minister, Social Infrastructure Council and Transport Policy Council announced on December 25 that they estimate the annual cost of infrastructure maintenance and renovation at 5.1 trillion yen in 2023 at most and at 5.5 trillion yen in 2033. The ministry will facilitate strategic maintenance based on the information, intending to reduce the cost to smaller level than the estimation.

The report by the councils calculated the cost in 10 sectors including roads, rivers, sewerage, ports, public housing and airports. New technology development such as robots and actions for life-long facilities will be explored. (2013/12/26)