Selection of National Strategic Special Zones

 Toward designation of the National Strategic Special Zones in March,
this week, the government has entered the final selection-process of
holding hearings from local governments.

 The way of selection, according to the “basic guideline” or Prime
Minister Abe’s speech in the Budget Committee, is to be categorized
into the following patterns;
1.Regional urban areas
2.Virtual zones (geographically-unconnected regions will be
  comprehensively designated)
http://www.kantei.go.jp/jp/singi/tiiki/kokusentoc/dai2/siryo2.pdf

And it seems that
・Tokyo Metropolitan or Kansai areas will be designated as the former
  type
・But an image of the latter-type is not necessarily clarified at this
  moment

 Toward final stage of selection, it is said that municipalities
previously acting individually started groping ways of cooperating
with each other or with private companies in different regions in
order to be qualified behind the scenes.
 For example, it is reported that the Shinsengumi co., known as a
new-style agricultural company based in Aichi prefecture, attended
hearing of Yabu City, Hyogo Prefecture, as the City’s business
partner.
http://www.tokyopressclub.com/2014/02/blog-post_18.html

 Also, although Tokyo is one of the most probable candidates for the
Zones, it is important to see how the new Tokyo governor will take
leadership on this issue.
 At the same time, Osaka is regarded as another equally-probable
candidate for the Zones, but there remains an uncertainty caused by
the coming mayoral election scheduled in March

 In any case, the important point is to start efforts altogether as
soon as the selection of the Zones is to be finalized, as they may
change the country’s scenery all at once.

 Let us hope for prompt designs and appropriate designations.