Firms also have been undertaking labor-saving investment and reviewing working conditions in line with the diversification of workers' needs. Such active efforts by the public and private sectors are essential in order for the prefecture's economy to overcome the challenge of labor shortage and achieve sustainable economic growth.
Over the past year, the rate of finance approvals for this purpose has increased by 40 per cent. We have certainly experienced higher rates of growth of finance than that in the past, and it may be that we are seeing some catch-up from a delayed initial response to fundamentals favouring more investment in housing.