Local News

The Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry announced it has approved the plans of 19 old-style shopping arcades nationwide to stimulate their business under legislation passed in August. Four of the arcades are in Kyushu: one in Fukuoka Prefecture (Iizuka), two in Kumamoto Prefecture (Kumamoto City and Hitoyoshi), and one in Oita Prefecture (Usa). The support will be provided for three to five years and will be spent on such projects as special events, measures to deal with vacant space, shops with trial goods for the elderly, and repairs.