The government called for greater cooperation Friday between local governments and nonprofit organizations, stating that public services offered by the former are increasingly limited by fiscal constraints.
In expediting cooperation of this nature, it is necessary to create relationships in which NPOs and local governments can collaborate on an equal footing, the government said in a white paper on life in Japan.
The fiscal 2004 white paper, subtitled, "The life and community that can be improved by solidarity among people -- the road to the new concept of public services," was submitted to Friday's Cabinet meeting by Financial Services Minister Heizo Takenaka.