TOKYO—The Japanese government plans to allow local authorities in areas hit hard by the Great East Japan Earthquake to set up special zones offering relaxed regulations and preferential taxation treatment.

The plan is part of the government’s outline of special legislation, details of which were made public on Friday, to aid reconstruction in disaster-hit areas. The special zones aim to remove administrative obstacles so as to quickly implement reconstruction projects that reflect the wishes of each area.

There will be two types of zones: Reconstruction zones will be set up in Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima prefectures, while municipalities within the zones that suffered particularly serious damage will be designated as special districts.

If a city, town or village is designated as a special district, a joint liaison council of the central and local governments will be established. Through the council, concerned central ministries and agencies will hold consultations with the local government about the latter’s requests for special measures.

The central government will even consider revising laws if necessary.

Local governments that receive special designations will be able to devise their own reconstruction plans in a wide range of fields, such as land use, medical and nursing care, and employment. The local governments will submit their plans to the central government.

The government also plans for the public and private sectors to establish a joint organization to promote reconstruction projects and conduct public services on behalf of local governments in disaster-hit areas.

The organization’s funding will include money for providing financial aid to local reconstruction projects. The government expects the organization to take over some of the work of local financial institutions weakened by the disaster.

As examples of special measures in the zones, the outline cited relaxing regulations on land use; consolidating farmland and easing regulations on entering the agricultural industry; and introducing more flexible regulations on sites where equipment can be set up for the generation of sustainable energy, such as solar and wind power.

The outline also included preferential taxation measures for individuals and companies who contribute to organizations involved with reconstruction.

The outline was presented at a meeting of senior vice ministers and other senior officials to discuss reconstruction measures on Wednesday.

The government will present the outline to opposition parties and decide when it will be submitted to the Diet after gauging their reaction.

(The Yomiuri Shimbun)